Lapbooks are one of my favorite ways to bring interactive, creative learning into our homeschool! They turn reading, science, history, or just about any topic into a hands-on experience your child can build, customize, and proudly show off. In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make a lapbook, including what materials you’ll need, what kinds of flaps and foldables to include, and why they’re such a valuable tool for homeschoolers.
🧰 What You Need to Make a Lapbook
Here’s a simple supply list to get started:
- 1 file folder (letter-size, standard manila or colored)
- Glue stick or stapler, or double-sided tape
- Scissors
- Printed lapbook pieces (from a purchased template or DIY)
- Optional: colored paper, brads, string, markers, stickers, or washi tape for decorating
Tip: Open the file folder and fold each side toward the center to create a “shutter fold.” This gives you two inside flaps and a center section to work with!
🔄 What to Include in a Lapbook
Most lapbooks include a variety of interactive elements like:
- Lift-the-flap questions or vocabulary
- Mini-books (tri-folds, matchbooks, accordion folds)
- Wheels or spinners for sequencing or cycles
- Pockets and cards for sorting or reflection questions
- Charts, diagrams, or maps
- Creative drawing or labeling areas
- Final reflections or certificates of completion
You can glue elements inside the folder or even extend it with flaps or additional cardstock. Each lapbook will look a little different since kids can get creative with how they place and decorate the parts!
Below are some examples of completed lapbooks my son made during past homeschool units. We used purchased resources to create them, and they were a great way to see how flaps, pockets, and foldables all come together!
🎯 Why Use Lapbooks?
Lapbooks are more than just a craft—they offer serious learning benefits:
- Multi-sensory learning: Combines visual, tactile, and written input
- Engagement: Feels like a project, not a worksheet
- Comprehension: Reinforces key concepts through interaction
- Retention: Helps kids remember what they learned
- Creativity: Lets kids take ownership of their work
- Pride: Creates a finished product they can show off!
Lapbooks are especially valuable in unit studies because they allow students to pull together information from across subjects—story elements, science facts, timelines, vocabulary—all in one interactive project.
📦 Want Ready-to-Use Lapbooks?
Whether you’re working through a seasonal theme, a novel study, or a full unit study, lapbooks offer a creative, organized, and engaging way to document the journey.
If you love the idea of lapbooks but don’t want to design all the pieces yourself, stay tuned! I’m creating a series of hands-on, story-based lapbooks—starting with How to Eat Fried Worms. These are perfect for homeschool families who want an engaging way to bring books to life without the prep.
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