How to Create a Flap Book

Flap books offer a tactile interest for young children.

Flap books are a tactile way for young children to interact with books and learn at the same time. A flap book features a flap of fabric or cloth that is raised or lowered to reveal a hidden element. For example, the main part of the page may pose a math problem, like 2 + 5. The answer is hidden under a flap that the child may lift after he has thought about the question.

Things You'll Need

• Tagboard
• Permanent markers
• Felt
• Scissors
• Glue
• Stapler
• Hole punch
• Binder

Instructions

1. Plan your flap book. Decide on the number of pages and the theme. You may choose to theme the flap book around math problems, or questions about history or nature. The number of pages will determine how many pieces of tagboard you need.

2. Write out each question and its answer on a piece of 8 X 11-inch tagboard, leaving 1-inch margins at the sides. You may choose to give your book a horizontal or vertical orientation.

3. Cut out a square of felt for each answer. The felt square should be large enough to cover the answer completely.

4. Glue down the flaps to cover the answers, squeezing one line of glue along one edge of the flap. Vary the direction in which the flap opens.

5. Create a cover for the flap book by writing the title on the front.

6. Stack the pages of the flap book right side up with the cover on the top.

7. Staple the flap book together. If the flap book is too large, punch holes in each page and slide them into a 1-inch binder.

Tips & Warnings

• Use different colors of felt to brighten up the book.

• Illustrate the book by drawing pictures on it or cutting out pictures from magazines.

References

• Spectronics: Create a Lift the Flap Book
• Homeschool Parent: Flap Book For Report Writing

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish