How to make a simple sketchbook for your kids

Drawing things in nature teaches kids to really slow down, pay attention, and see the beautiful natural world in front of them.

One quick tip that always helps them to be ready to learn and draw from nature is to carry a sketchbook and colored pencils in your car. If you go on a hike or a picnic or a vacation, encourage them to take a few minutes to sketch the lines and shapes of something in nature as you go. This sketchbook can be put in a backpack or in the seat pockets of your vehicle so your child is always ready to sketch.

After I looked for an inexpensive sketchbook or kit to recommend to you, I realized that, outside of Christmas or birthdays, I would not have bought something like this for my kids. I had 5 kids. So we often made simple books for the current learning objective. There is a simple way to do this.

The good news is, you don't have to buy anything! You've probably got the time and resources to make a 1 minute sketchbook at home for your kids. These cost very little time or money to make, and can reap great benefits for your kids. 

Now, are you ready to make a quick sketchbook with me? To make an on-the-go travel sketching set for your child, let's make this easy, 1 minute sketchbook using stuff you probably have at home:

1. Gather about 5 pieces of blank printer paper and 1 piece of construction paper, some colored pencils or markers, and a plastic zipper/ziplock bag. (like this, this or this.)* 
2. Fold and staple computer printer paper inside a piece of colored construction paper.
3. Let your child decorate the outside cover.
4. Put sketchbook and colored pencils inside a zippered bag. 

Store in a backpack and/or your vehicle.  (I would not put crayons in the travel sketchbook set, because crayons are going to drop, melt and we would invariably forget they were in the car until the middle of August and they had melted on the dashboard/floor of the van. True story.)

Encourage your kids to get the sketchbooks out next time you are on a road trip, taking a walk, or even sitting at a sibling's soccer practice. Practicing sketching in nature gives kids a beautiful opportunity to draw, see, relax, and slow down...something that all of us would benefit from. 

That's it! Hope you have fun and draw lots of beautiful things from nature this season!

*this post contains amazon associate links; no extra cost to you, but purchasing through these links helps support Storygalorey. Thank you!