There seem to be many photo book deals popping up lately. As I was posting them, I started thinking of creative ways to use these books. Sure, you could make a book about the vacation you took or a brag book for grandparents. But I got to thinking…. Why not make an educational book for a child? Here are my ideas.
My House ABC Book
Take 26 pictures of everyday items around your house, each one starting with a different letter of the alphabet. In fact, recruit your child’s help, having him/her find items that begin with each letter. Then take the child’s picture with each item. Arrange them in an alphabet book.
Rhyming Words Book
Emma’s SO excited about rhyming words right now. It might be fun to choose one word and then find four items that rhyme with that word. Take pictures of those items, and group them on a page in your photo book.
Child Illustrator
Emma is just now starting to get interested in coloring. She’s been making some adorable birthday cards for family birthdays. I thought it would be fun to help her write a story (with me typing the words) and then have her illustrate the story. I could scan her pictures and upload those as my images for the book. I could add her name as the author and illustrator on the front cover. We could even include a little author bio on one of the first pages.
Science Book
With Fall just around the corner, there’s no better time to do a study of leaves from different types of trees. I was considering taking our camera on a nature walk and taking pictures of different trees and their leaves. We could then grab a book or two from the library and learn a little bit about the different types of trees. Each two-page spread of our book could include a picture of the tree, a close-up picture of the tree’s leaves, and a few things we learned about the tree.
The Tale of Your Prince or Princess
Who wouldn’t love to be the star of their very own fairy tale? Why not write up a short once-upon-a-time-style story with your child as the hero or heroine? Have him or her dress up as a price or princess in different poses, and include those pictures with your story.
Those were just a few ideas that popped into my head as I was thinking about ways to use these photo books. Do you have some other ideas? I would love to hear them! Maybe we’ll be filling our bookshelf with the books we create!
Looking for photo book deals? Check out all of the photo deals that I’ve posted.
Linked to Frugal Friday hosted by Life As Mom.
Those are some great ideas. I would have never thought about doing that!
Thanks, Christine! I figured people could only use so many brag books and books about vacations. Plus I’m a teacher…. My mind just works that way! 🙂
What a great idea! It makes it cooler because the pictures are of your things and may get them more excited to learn.
🙂
I made one once with my daughter’s stuffed animals, and she LOVED it!
How cool! The teacher in you is coming out!
Thought you’d enjoy that one, Shelly!
I LOVE these ideas! I don’t have kids, but I have nephews and I think these would make some great personalized Christmas and birthday gifts!
I hadn’t thought about making them as gifts. That’s a great idea, Carrie!
Great ideas! I think I’m going to try an ABC book.
You’ll have to let me know what you come up with for X. We used to have a xylophone but don’t any more. I’m stumped on that one!
I love the idea of using it to preserve all that kiddo artwork! I have quite a lil artist and he sure does make a lot of creations. And since you can’t keep them all, this is fab!
And how fun would it be to have those for him many years from now? 🙂 Love it!
Love the ideas! I made an ABC book a few years ago, I think with Blurb. My husband loved it so much he wouldn’t let the kids have it!
I’ve been meaning to capture the kids’ artwork each year in a photo book, but haven’t gotten around to it.
This year I’m debating whether to do our First Communion book the old fashioned way, i.e. scrapbooking, or do it as a photo book.
Sounds like you’ve had some awesome book ideas too, Barb! I love that these make their way off the shelf more often than photo prints would. What great memories.