SCRAPBOOKING PROJECTS WITH KIDS

Enjoying scrapbooking projects with kids is a great way to involve your children in the creative memory process as well as to give free rein to their artistic talents. By the time I'd caught the scrapping bug, my daughter Hannah (Bannah) was 14, and not really interested in a box of crayons. I did give her a 'free ticket into Dad's stash' though, and a couple of hours later this is what she came up with!

WHY SCRAPBOOKING IS GREAT FOR KIDS

One of the most attractive features of scrapbooking is that anyone of any age can enjoy it. You can get quality family time and even have some 'hard copy' to show for it! I rather regret not being a scrapper when my daughter was much younger. My 10 year old son William would maybe like to make a soccer layout - but would prefer me to do it while he kicks a ball round the garden.




THEMED SCRAPBOOKING PROJECTS WITH KIDS

SPORT:
This can be a great way to encourage your kids to scrap. You could include photos of your child in their sports 'kit', any press cuttings of games (stick to victories!), admission tickets, and maybe even photos of their favourite stars. Appearing on the same page as their heroes can be very exciting.

FRIENDS:
Maybe your kids would like to make layouts of each of their friends, how they see them and what they like. These layouts will provide particular pleasure to the friends they retain into adulthood.

CAREER ASPIRATIONS:
A lot of kids have very firm ideas of what they want to be when they grow up. Some actually see that through. Why not encourage your kids to make pages of themselves as something they aspire to? They could superimpose photos of their faces on to all sorts of things!

LIKES AND DISLIKES:
Best keep these layouts about food items, particular lessons, colours, insects etc. You don't want to include other kids in the 'dislikes' pages. Once you've scrapped it - you can't take it back, and maybe they'll end up befriending that kid!

MY FAMILY:
Creating layouts about each family member would be a great first theme for your kids. If you've a small family, just include aunts, uncles and cousins as well - that'll keep them busy.


SCRAPBOOKING FOR THE VERY YOUNG

For toddlers, you need to be there full time to help them with your stash and any sticking down. Scissor work is obviously your job! Wax crayons are acid-free, although the colour may fade over time and even rub off on your page protectors. Oil-based chalks pastels are a no-no as they contain toxins that will react with the layout over time. Archival-safe chalks are your best bet.


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