Old books become banners, hats, and posters with three enchanting DIY crafts.
Grades
PreK–K, 1–2, 3–5, 6–8
Books are part of the décor at this end-of-year party to promote summer reading and celebrate the magic of stories. Gather some old picture books (from families or library clear-outs), and use the colorful illustrations to make a banner, festive hats, and a border around your book-party sign!
What You Need: Banner template, old picture books, construction paper, pencil, scissors, ribbon, glue stick, scotch tape, ruler (optional), X-Acto knife (optional)
What to Do:
1 | Print our banner template, and cut out the triangle and four letters.
2 | Use a pencil to trace the letters R-E-A-D onto colorful construction paper. Cut out the letters, and set them aside. Trace the flag template onto 12-20 picture book pages, and then cut out the flags.
3 | For each flag, fold the rectangle at the top over the triangle. This side will be the back of the banner flag. If the paper is too thick to fold easily, use an X-Acto knife to score across the top edge of the triangle before folding. Trim any excess paper from the back fold to create a perfect triangular flag.
4 | Next, measure out 1-2 feet of ribbon before placing the first flag. Lay the ribbon inside the fold, using a glue stick to hold the ribbon in place. Tape the fold down to fasten the flag in place.
5 | Continue to place and secure the flags. Space the triangles 1-2 inches apart, depending on your preference. After attaching all flags, measure another 1-2 feet of ribbon on the end before cutting the ribbon.
6 | Glue the letters R-E-A-D to the four flags in the center of the banner. Finally, tape, tack, or tie your beautiful banner in place!
What You Need: Posterboard, Sharpie, scissors, ruler, pencil, glue stick, old picture books, star stickers or other embellishments
What to Do:
1 | Choose several picture book pages. Using your pencil and ruler, measure 1.5-inch-wide strips on the book pages.
2 | Cut out enough strips to create a border around your posterboard. Glue the illustration strips around the edge of the poster with a glue stick. Make sure to overlap the strips at the corners to avoid gaps.
3 | Use a Sharpie to write “Magic of Summer Reading” or “Book Party” in the center of the poster. We recommend using a chiseled-tip Sharpie for a truly magical effect!
4 | Add a little sparkle with embellishments like star stickers or glitter.
What You Need: Party hats, staple remover, old picture books, scissors, pom-poms, glue stick, hot-glue gun or liquid glue
What to Do:
1 | First, create a party hat template by removing the staples on one party hat. After deconstructing the hat, lay it flat.
2 | Place the party hat template on top of a variety of picture book pages. Trace the outline of the hat with a pencil, and then cut it out.
3 | Make enough book-page cutouts to cover the hats that were not taken apart. Wrap each book page around a party hat. Use a glue stick to secure the page to the hat.
4 | Glue one pom-pom to the top of each hat using either a hot-glue gun or liquid glue. Pass out the hats to your students, and let the book party begin!
Photos: Adam Chinitz; Craft Stylist: Helen Quinn
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