If you are new to scrapbooking, I am excited to introduce you to this crafting project. If you've done it before but didn't like the results as much as you hoped, I have some tips to share with you regarding the things you need to know.

I'll cover the basics of scrapbooking and ways your kids can help. That way, you and the kids can create a beautiful scrapbooking album at home that you are proud to show off to your friends and family.

scrapbook - Nicole Swalm — Scrapbooking at home - Nicole Swalm

Scrapbooking at Home – Everything You Must Know!

As a mom of four, I want to capture every memory. Scrapbooking gives me a way to showcase these moments by arranging photos, captioning quotations, inserting page titles, and journaling. Sometimes I will include tiny trinkets, embellishments, and special awards or certificates, as long as they fit in the book.

When I'm scrapbooking at home, my kids will join me and make a page of their own to include in the scrapbooker we're working on. If you're looking for a creative and fun way to display your precious memories in an attractive layout, scrapbooking is for you. It's a great way to spend time with your family.

What Are the Basics of Scrapbooking?

The basic principle of scrapbooking is that there is no set way to create a page for the book. You can add as many elements as you want. I caution that you are careful not to add too many accent elements that overpower the primary focus on the page. The adage, "less is more," can sometimes be the best approach to a scrapbooking page.

How Do I Begin Scrapbooking?

Before you begin, you'll pick a theme for the book, such as a recent family vacation, graduation, birthday parties for the kids, and any event you want to document creatively. Your scrapbook theme doesn't just have to highlight special events.

Make a scrapbook to catalog your children's growth or dedicate a book to a beloved pet or home improvement project. Gather what you need and set up your supplies in an area with enough space to work.

What Do You Need to Start a Scrapbook?

To get started, you'll need an album, craft paper, glue, tape, photos, and other memorabilia, and those are the basics. You'll also need whatever decorative elements you want to include.

That includes stickers, labels, calligraphy pens, markers, paint, glitter, etc. The list can be as long as your creativity and vision. There are scrapbooking kits available to help get you started.

How Do You Lay Out a Scrapbook?

First, you're going to pick out everything you will incorporate on that page before adhering anything to the book. Make a template of what you want the page to look like in general.

Cut out any of the elements that you need before you begin. Experiment with different designs, layouts, and materials. Carefully consider the positions of photos, designated journal spaces, memorabilia, embellishments, headings, and captions.

Is Scrapbooking Good for Kids?

Arts and crafts projects like scrapbooking reduce stress. It's especially beneficial for children because it also teaches them organizational skills, concentration, relationship building, and improves memory.

Also, scrapbooks make excellent gifts, especially for children to give to family members. Your child can make a scrapbook about their first day of school and give it as a gift to their grandparents. Let's review a few more scrapbooking ideas for kids.

Scrapbook Ideas for Kids

Some potential scrapbooking ideas that kids would enjoy include:

· Display a child’s insect collection

· Pictures of their relationships with household pets

· Commemorate social media activity (i.e., going viral, photos that got the most likes, etc.)

· Capture them playing dress-up

· Catalog photos of the kids playing pretend

· Showcase the kids’ artwork

· Make a book of firsts (i.e., first trip to the dentist, first day of school, first visit from the tooth fairy, etc.)

What Size Should Pictures Be for a Scrapbook?

This depends on how many pictures you want per page and what size pages are in your scrapbook. Traditionally, you will be working with 8.5” by 11” pages. Since you will want to add decorative elements, you want to make sure that the photo is smaller than the page by at least one inch on each side.

If you are highlighting a single picture, consider a 5” by 7” photo. For a collage with several pictures, the wallet-sized photos make a great choice. They are 2.5” by 3.5” and allow you to fit several on one scrapbooking page.

What Is the Best Way to Put Pictures in a Scrapbook?

Photo size depends on how many pictures you want per page and what size of pages are in your scrapbook. Traditionally, you will be working with 8.5” by 11” pages.

Since you will most likely be adding decorative elements, you want to ensure that the photo is smaller than the page by at least one inch on each side. If the photo takes up too much space, you may struggle to set up the rest of the designs.

What Can Be Included in a Family Scrapbook?

Photos are the most common element added to a scrapbook. However, pictures aren't the only thing you want in your scrapbook. It isn't a photo album.

For scrapbooks that every member of the family can enjoy, make sure to use kid-friendly content. You don't want to add a photo or image that would be inappropriate or scare them.

Also, make sure that you aren't working with materials that could be hazardous to your children. Don't use elements that could be choking hazards if your child removes them from the scrapbook.

Scrapbooking with Your Kids

Did you know that Amelia Earhart was a scrapbooker? Could you imagine all of the amazing photos she was able to place in her albums? She lived a life worth documenting.

Do you know who else would make excellent scrapbookers? Your kids!

Kids are wildly imaginative and have some great stories to tell. Send your kids out with a camera to take pictures and see what images they capture. You won't be disappointed. (Give them a disposable camera so you don’t have to worry about breaking the one you have.)

Scrapbooking with your kids is a great way to bond, share memories, and relive joyful events. It’s also an excellent way to highlight their imagination and originality.

Checkout Arts & Crafts for kids article for other fun ideas this summer!

Everything to start scrapbooking at home