by Lisa Fillers

Created on: October 05, 2007

Homemade Coloring Books -

One of the simplest kid projects is making a homemade coloring book and makes for a great rainy day project to occupy their time. There are several variations from which to choose but I'll start with the simplest form. For each book you will need:

2 sheets of construction paper, preferably light colored like yellow
2 pencils
paper from a Scribble or Doodle Pad

A stapler
Felt tip marker to compliment Construction paper color
Glue stick
Glitter

You can use any type of blank paper to fill the coloring book but Tree House Kids sell a 9 X 12 Scribble Pad perfect to coordinate in size with the construction paper and looks and feels similar to coloring book paper. The scribble pad is thick enough to get paper for 2 or 3 children from to make a coloring book. I have also seen Doodle Pads in which the paper inside was identical to the paper coloring books are printed with. Using either type of this paper makes the child feel more like it's a coloring book than using plain copier paper.

Children in their early years always enjoy a project done with Mom or Dad much more than a project done alone. First sit down with your child opposite him/her at a table and have the child draw pictures on the front and back of the pages with the pencil to go inside the coloring book. They will love it if Mom or Dad helps draw some pictures on part of the pages for the book too.

Once the inside pages are completed for the coloring book, allow the child to decorate a page of the construction paper, telling the child this will be the front cover of the book. This can be as simple as writing "Johnny's Coloring Book" on it in felt tip marker to drawing pictures and using glitter and glue to decorate it. Stars look great filled in with glitter and all children love playing with glue sticks and glitter. Once the cover is done assembly is no more than inserting the pages between the two pieces of construction paper and stapling the book together down the left side. This project is so simple but it's about more than just making something. It is letting your child explore his/her creative and artistic abilities while spending quality time with Mom or Dad.

There are other ways in which to build the coloring book. You can use excess copier or printer paper you might have on hand for the inside pages. You can use a hole punch instead of a stapler and let the child use colorful pieces of scrap yarn or ribbon to tie the book together. Depending on the age of the child the parent will probably have to help with the stapler or hole punch.

This same construction works great for a child to make a book of their paintings too if you have a child that loves to watercolor. You can allow the child to draw on the doodle or scribble book paper and then paint the drawings in watercolor. These have to be done only on one side of the paper, though, due to bleed through of the paint. Save the pages after they have dried in a folder tucked away safely between painting sessions until the child has collected enough to make a book of them and then let them decorate a cover and assemble the book in the same manner as the coloring books are assembled to keep. They will proudly show off their art work for awhile and then Mom and Dad will have a precious memento from their child's early years to keep.

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