How to Make a Children's Pop Up Book

Pop-up books are an ideal way to combine a child's love of art with storytelling.

Children have a natural love for art and stories. One way to combine the two into a challenging but very personal craft project for your child or students is to make a pop-up children's book. This is an activity that one or many children can do at a time, in one sitting. The length of time and number of materials required will vary according to the child or children participating.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pictures, photos or stickers (optional)
• Ruler
• Crayons, markers or coloring pencils
• Writing utensil

Instructions

1. Decide on a story idea. The length and complexity of the story will depend upon the age(s) of the child or children who will be making the book. Older children or those who require an extra level of challenge can handle longer stories with more complex plots and artwork. Younger children or those who are less advanced can start by illustrating sentences or even words or letters, as appropriate.

2. Fold standard-sized sheets of paper in half to form pages. If you are unsure how long the finished product will be, do this one sheet at a time. The folds should be horizontal.

3. Make two cuts into the fold at the middle of the page, about an inch apart from one another. This will create a tab that is the result of the folded edge between the two slits.Opening the folded sheet, push or pull the tab so that it stands out at the center of the open folded sheet.

4. Draw lines as appropriate at the top and bottom of the opened folded sheet. This is where the students will write their sentences or story. They may color the rest of the page except the fold and the lines where text will appear, or decorate the space with stickers, photos or pictures cut from magazines, suggests Parenting Times.

5. Have the child or children select or draw pictures that they wish to have pop up in the center of the page.

6. Attach the pop-up artwork to the tab that is sticking out in the center of the folded page with glue.

7. To add additional pages, says Miriam Myers of Great Schools, fold more paper in half horizontally, repeat steps to create tabs and text lines, fit one sheet inside of another under the fold, and secure with glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Glue sticks are handier and cleaner for younger children. They also do not require prolonged drying time.

• Adults should always supervise children with scissors.

References

• GreatSchools.org; Think 3D: Make a Pop-Up Book; Miriam Myers; 2011
• Parenting Times; Kids Craft: How to Make a Pop-Up Book, 2007