Looking for a low-key activity that will keep the kids quiet and entertained? Try a summer scrapbook!
UPDATED FOR 2024
You packed snacks and drinks, took them on a trip, tried to keep your cool through the whining and kvetching, came home soaked (sweat? water? both?), gave baths, served dinner and are ready to collapse but it’s only 7 pm. What next? Maybe it’s just too hot or rainy to go outside. Days like that call for a scrapbook activity.
How it works:

Once a week, or every other week, print pictures of that week’s outings and activities. Each kid gets to create their own scrapbook using pictures and all kinds of art materials.
What’s needed:

- Notebook or scrapbook for every kid (any blank book is fine. Even papers stapled together will work!)
- Scrapbooking paper
- A variety of stickers and self-adhesive rhinestones – browse here
- Scrapbooking stencils
- Zigzag Scissors
- Glitter Glue
- Washi Tape
- Mini pompoms (note, like all raised decorations, this will make the book thicker)
Don’t feel pressured to get it all at once. I’m constantly on the lookout for more paper, stickers and decorations to add to my collection. Dollar stores and Aliexpress are also great places to stock up on the materials needed without breaking the bank.
Let the fun begin!

Each kid chooses pictures and decorations and has fun creating a memory book that they’ll enjoy looking at over and over. It’s a project that lasts all summer since you’re constantly adding more pictures and they have more pages to decorate. Make sure older kids write a sentence or two describing that outing and writing down the most memorable part of their summer.
Here are more items that are great for making creative scrapbooks:
This is a genius idea. Would love some links!
Here are some links. I don’t own them all, but they all look to be good, cheap stuff.
Stickers for younger kids https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32797924927.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.560b4c4d7UTpOc
Multicolored Alphabet stickers https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32694457618.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dif2pPz
Coloful scrapbooking stickesr https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32674685595.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000013.3.3fba491cbgXxmf&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreThisSeller&scm=1007.13339.99734.0&scm_id=1007.13339.99734.0&scm-url=1007.13339.99734.0&pvid=585c8cc0-3317-4c14-9c27-f16b3dd67852
10 packs washi tape https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32961773100.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.60f76cb2lmR4bY&s=p&algo_pvid=fe775dcb-e7d1-4092-ab13-18ca8f0aeb08&algo_expid=fe775dcb-e7d1-4092-ab13-18ca8f0aeb08-10&btsid=bd6d2f6f-29d9-4e43-9982-d12d0650b5fc&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_53
Small self-adhesive fabric paper https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32834481057.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6c0132acEus0IG&algo_pvid=d28b6f20-a775-41d0-be42-89cbd854cbae&algo_expid=d28b6f20-a775-41d0-be42-89cbd854cbae-2&btsid=88096de6-2ed8-4031-9744-cdbe8c2666c4&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_53
Self-adhesive rhinestones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32862379504.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.5e8041f35PTmJU&algo_pvid=8d3906db-405f-4a7a-8009-d94e2464ac08&algo_expid=8d3906db-405f-4a7a-8009-d94e2464ac08-5&btsid=9a9986eb-65e3-4c1b-8d55-74a382e2115f&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_9,searchweb201603_53
10 sheets self-adhesive rhinestones https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32960550688.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.43.54aa2c387G2eX3&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.13338.136569.000000000000000&scm_id=1007.13338.136569.000000000000000&scm-url=1007.13338.136569.000000000000000&pvid=08c42817-baa6-470b-96d3-f25787ea2b2f
Amazing savings.