7 Creative Ways to Upcycle Old Children’s Books (Easy DIY Ideas)

In this post, we’ll explore simple and creative ways to upcycle old children’s books into meaningful, handmade projects.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you. Linked items are what I personally use, but feel free to substitute with your own favorites.

I love crafting with old books— especially children’s books. I’m a big Disney fan, and I love thrifting, so I often stumble upon vintage children’s books with the cutest illustrations. Instead of letting them sit on a shelf (or worse—end up in the trash), I like finding creative ways to upcycle children’s books into something new and meaningful.

Where to Find Children’s Books

If you don’t already have books at home that you can use, check out:

• Yard sales
• Thrift stores
• Facebook Marketplace or local “Buy Nothing” groups

Also, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family! You never know who might have books that their kids have outgrown.

Why Craft with Children’s Books?

Whether you already have old books at home or find them at thrift stores or yard sales, upcycling them is a simple way to reduce waste and get creative.

Thrift stores are often overflowing with donations, and many items eventually end up in landfills. Some books are already damaged, while others are still in good condition, but either way, repurposing them gives them a second life.

And honestly, children’s books are perfect for crafting. The pictures in them are nostalgic, colorful, and full of personality.

Here are some of the simple projects I come back to again and again, and you can too.

Bookmarks

A simple and fun way to show your love of books. You can keep them minimal or layer images for a more fun look. Collage bookmarks are definitely my favorite lately.

Finish them off by punching a hole at the top and adding some ribbon, for a little something extra.

Framed Art

Children’s books often have the most beautiful images. Frame your favorite pages to create wall art for a child’s room, or for your own inner child.

There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about these prints. Plus, I love how easy it is to create a gallery wall that brings all the pages together.

Notebooks

I love reusing covers from Little Golden Books and turning them into notebooks using my Cinch book binding machine (affiliate link). You can customize the type of paper you want in the notebook (lined, blank, or even use speciality paper to create a watercolor sketchbook).

If you don’t want to go out and buy a new tool, there’s a more beginner-friendly option. You can punch holes in the covers and bind them with binder rings. This also works well for creating your own junk journal.

Cards & Envelopes

You can keep the design simple, like I did here, or go with something more detailed. I love using a Cricut for cutting out envelopes, but a scoring board or a printable templates works just as well.

The best part of turning book pages into matching card and envelope sets is that you end up with items that feel thoughtful, fun, and one of a kind. Learn How to Make Greeting Cards from Children’s Books.

Scrapbook Pages & Elements

If you love scrapbooking or just want to finally give it a try, children’s book pages make perfect embellishments. Check out our post on Scrapbooking For Beginners if you don’t know where to start.

The book pages are perfect for scrapbooking fun memories like a recent Disney trip, or adding your favorite characters to a spread. They’re also a great way to add color into your junk journal!

Gift Tags

Add a little whimsy to your gifts with handmade gift tags. I cut mine with a Cricut, but if you don’t have one or don’t want to pul yours out, you can totally just use scissors and a hole puncher!

They’re especially perfect for birthdays or celebrations where you want to lean into joy and nostalgia. Bonus points if you find a book that your recipient loved as a kid.

Magnets

Create a simple upcycled magnet using cutouts from book pages.

I added my images to wooden blocks and attached a magnet on the back of them, but you can totally use magnetic sheets if you prefer! These are easy to make and are a super cute way to add a bit of personality to your space.

Final Thoughts

Upcycling children’s books is such a simple way to combine creativity with sustainability. Whether you’re making something practical like bookmarks or something decorative like framed art, each project gives these books a new story to tell.

If you come across an old children’s book on your next trip to the thrift store, don’t overlook it. You might just find your next favorite project.

Love these ideas? Save this post on Pinterest so that you can come back to it when you’re ready to create!