Nature Scrapbooks

A couple weeks ago we went on vacation with my family.  Altogether there were 10 adults and 8 kids.  Of course we planned some activities for the kids to keep them busy and entertained.  We made Nature Scrapbooks as our craft and the kids loved it!  Here are the supplies you'll need to make your own scrapbook:

 Supplies:

2 brown lunch bags

glue sticks

yarn

scrapbook paper (4-8 pages)

paper cutter

 {Step 1} Fold the 2 lunch bags in half vertically. These are going to be the pages of the scrapbook, so there will be 8 pages including the front and back cover.

{Step 2} Cut scrapbook paper to fit the length of the lunch bag. I cut the paper smaller than the paper bag so that it would leave a border around the edge. We cut 3 longer lengths (approximately 4.5" x 10" each) to cover the "inside" scrapbook pages, then cut 2 smaller squares to cover the front and back cover (approximately 4.5" x 5" each).  We mostly used colored card stock that didn't bend quite as well so the books didn't lay flat when they were done.  So, it may be easier to work with thinner paper.

{Step 3} Glue the scrapbook paper to the lunch bags, covering each side.  After you've glued on the paper,  you may choose to make each page look distressed by rubbing a little ink on the edges of each page.  We didn't have time to do this for our nature scrapbooks.

{Step 4} Cut a length of yarn.  Place the 2 lunch bags together and tie the piece of yarn around the middle crease.  This will bind your scrapbook pages together.  We tied the yarn into a bow on the outside of the scrapbook.  You could also use ribbon.

{Step 5} Decorate your scrapbook pages any way you like!  

For the nature scrapbook, the kids decorated with animal stickers, leaf rubbings, and nature samples they found outside. 

To preserve their pressed flowers and leaves, we wrapped them in plastic wrap first then glued the plastic wrap on the page. 

It was fun to see how different each of the books turned -- they were so cute!! And the kids were proud of their books when they were all finished.

These simple scrapbooks are so cute and versatile.  The openings of the lunch bags actually created little pockets where you could slide a surprise picture or bookmark.  These scrapbooks would make a very cute Father's Day gift made with love from the kids or a good way to display your child's artwork.  Either way, this is a great summer project that will keep your kids busy for hours!