I have 15 lapbook materials ideas besides glue and paper which can be added to your homeschool lapbooks.
Homeschool lapbooks are more than a set of minibooks inside a file folder.
In addition because lapbooks are products of your child’s work each lapbook can be as individual as the child.
When I started lapbooks I didn’t realize the impact a hands-on tool would have on my children’s learning journey.
And materials for the lapbooks should be things which help the topic the lapbook is about to be memorable.
Unlike worksheets, lapbooks are interactive and if you create them in the right way they can be a timeless learning tool.
For example, flaps can be added anytime to your lapbook and that can continue as long as your child is interested in the topic.
3 Powerful Advantages to Homeschool Lapbooks
First, before you decide what type of lapbook materials you want to include in your child’s lapbook, look at these three advantages.
- Lapbooks are a powerful way to wrap up what is learned and to pull it together in one place.
- And because families can have a wide span of grades to cover, only one lapbook can be made with parts contributed by each child. Also, you have the option of each child making their own. There are no rules to how to use lapbooks to nurture a love of learning.
- The value of lapbooks comes from the interaction or collaboration within the family, by self-motivated research, or research assigned by you. Flexibility is key to creating the hands-on tool.
Also, lapbooks should be designed in a way that fits the topics your child will want to include.
For example, when my kids were younger, I decided whether the lapbook should be multiple file folders folded book like, to be letter sized or even legal sized.
Even if the file folder will be folded horizontal or vertical are things I help my kids to think about.
For instance, the first American Civil War lapbook we made, shown above, was book like with file folders put together instead of having flaps.
As my kids got older, they decided what type of design they would like based on their previous experience doing them.
If they needed help of course I would give suggestions.
Other Lapbook Resources
- 20 Free Homeschool Science Lapbooks to Teach Hands-on
- 3 Free and Amazing Amazon Rainforest Lapbooks for Kids
- Free Native American Plains Indians Fun Lapbook for Kids (& resources)
- 18 Colorful and Free Lapbooks for History Unit Studies
Whether your child wants his or her lapbook to be a study guide or a creative expression there is no lack of materials.
Aren’t the miniature pocket sized coloring books perfect for a lapbook?
Materials to Add to a Homeschool Lapbook
Here area few ideas of fun things or materials to add to your lapbook.
One.
Print a board game on paper and fold it smartly into your lapbook.
Two.
Create a mini or expandable timeline.
Three.
Your child’s handprint craft like a rainforest parrot not only makes fun art but is a memory keeper craft.
Four.
Add printed photos.
Not all photos have to stay on your phone. Add photos of your child’s field trip or a fun co-op to his or her lapbook. This way your child can cherish the moments too.
Five.
Printed mini flashcards.
Some of the materials you can make and others you can buy.
Look at these other 10 fun materials to include.
Other Materials to Add to Your Lapbook
Again, lapbooks are so much more than paper and glues. Add these solid things to your lapbook as you need them.
Then another really fun way to help kids get excited about a topic is to use themed stickers.
Stickers are not just for young kids.
Even older kids love using stickers to decorate outside flaps or decorate inside minibooks.
Also, washi tape can be used to make decorate pouches and pockets in your child's lapbook.
Whether you have a crafty child or not, they'll love using the tape for creating mini pouches and pockets.
As my kids got older, we needed ways to hold writing so that it could easily be retrieved.
The best thing about page protectors is that you can cut them down as needed.
Feathers, googly eyes and poms poms as well as popsicle sticks can be added to your lapbook.
For example, popsicle sticks can make great puppets or math manipulative to store in pockets.
Feathers can be use for writing materials or to decorate any nature or Native American unit.
I've used cone filters for several art projects using pastel chalk.
If your child wants to stamp or paint a story, these coffee filters hold up well.
They are still thin enough but not as thick as cardstock so they can be added easily to the lapbook.
Index cards are timeless for kids who want to learn how to study.
Lapbooks are a great way for your child to display what he or she knows by adding cards throughout the lapbook.
I haven't used these yet but oh so cute.
These could easily be added to a pocket if your child was writing an ongoing story or doing copywork.
If you don't want to print your own pockets to store materials or collections, just add these.
I always have pockets ready to go unless we decide to make one.
If I had these when we did the Gingerbread Man it would have saved me tons of time.
These paper cut outs can be used for adding math problems on, adding precious thumb and finger prints and even to act out a story for your littles.
Then I'm loving these mosaic squares.
Sure you can could cut your own or get assorted ones which can be used for a variety of purposes.
We cut out out ones to make a mosiac craft for our Marco Polo Lapbook, but this would have saved us some time.
Some things are just worth it to have around.
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