Staring at a pile of photos, wondering how to turn them into the perfect gift… I’ve mastered the art of creating meaningful, homemade gifts—testing, fixing fails, and discovering solutions that actually work.
😅 But I know the struggle: How do you make a kid-friendly craft that is also a high-quality, durable gift? How can you create something that grandparents will not only love but also use every single day? I’ve spent hours figuring this out, and I’ve been there too.
👑 That’s why in this post, I’ll show you exactly how to solve these challenges with tips I’ve tested myself. Stick with me, and you’ll learn how to create a cherished keepsake that lasts for years while creating magical memories with your loved ones! 💖
Time Required: Approx. 45-60 minutes (including laminating time)
Budget Level: Low-to-Moderate (if laminator is a new purchase)
Skill Level: Beginner / Kid-Friendly (with adult supervision for laminating)
What You’ll Need for Your Photo Bookmarks ❤️
My go-to trick for any successful craft day is gathering all the supplies before inviting the kids to the table. It prevents chaos and keeps the fun flowing! Here’s everything you’ll need for this homemade bookmark tutorial.
- ✅ Printed photos (consider wallet-sized or small prints)
- ✅ Cardstock or sturdy paper for backing
- ✅ Scissors or a paper trimmer
- ✅ Laminator and laminating pouches (small size, e.g., business card or 4×6)
- ✅ Hole punch
- ✅ Yarn, embroidery floss, or ribbon for tassels
- ✅ Ruler and pencil
- ✅ Optional: Decorative stickers, glitter glue, or markers for embellishment
- 👑 Nancy’s Pick: I always recommend using matte photo paper for printing. It significantly reduces glare and fingerprints, making the photos clearer and this personalized gift for readers much more pleasant to handle daily.
Crafting Your Photo Bookmarks: Step-by-Step Guide ✍️
A question I get all the time from my community is, “Nancy, what’s a gift that grandparents will actually use?” This DIY photo gift is my answer. I remember making these with my own children; their little hands were so focused on choosing the perfect yarn for the tassels. When their grandparents received them, their faces lit up. They loved having a practical, daily reminder of their favorite little people tucked into their books.
Step 1: Select & Print Your Photos
First, gather your favorite photos! Candid shots, smiling school pictures, or silly faces all work wonderfully. Print them to a size that works well for a bookmark, typically around 2×3 inches. Once printed, carefully cut each photo out using scissors or a paper trimmer for a clean, straight edge. This is a great step for older kids to help with.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-1: A selection of printed photos and a child’s hand pointing to a favorite one, alongside scissors and a ruler.]
Step 2: Prepare Your Bookmark Base
Next, create a sturdy backing for your photos. Using a ruler and pencil, measure and cut your cardstock to be slightly larger than your photos, leaving about a 1/4-inch border on all sides. This creates a nice frame effect. Adhere your photo to the center of the cardstock using a glue stick.
💡 Pro-Tip: For extra personalization, have kids draw a small picture or write their name on the back of the cardstock before laminating! It’s a sweet surprise that makes this Grandparents Day craft even more special.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-2: Photos adhered to cardstock bases, ready for laminating.]
Step 3: Laminate for Durability
This is the magic step that transforms your craft from flimsy to fantastic! Place your prepared photo-and-cardstock pieces inside a laminating pouch, leaving a little space between them. Following your machine’s instructions, run the pouch through the laminator. This step makes the bookmarks waterproof, tear-resistant, and ready for daily use.
⚠️ Safety First: Laminators get very hot! This step requires direct adult supervision to keep little hands safe.
[Image Placement Instruction: image-3: A close-up of a bookmark going through a laminator, or a laminated bookmark being trimmed.]
Step 4: Add a Custom Tassel
Once the laminated sheet has cooled, carefully trim around each bookmark, leaving a small, sealed plastic edge. Use a hole punch to make a single hole at the top center of the bookmark. To make a simple tassel, wrap yarn or embroidery floss around three of your fingers about 15-20 times. Slide the loop off, tie a separate piece of string tightly around the top, and snip the bottom loops. Thread the tassel through the hole, and your beautiful, laminated photo craft is complete!
[Image Placement Instruction: image-4: A finished photo bookmark with a colorful tassel attached, perhaps resting in an open book.]
Creative Variations & Personalization Ideas ✨
After testing dozens of these, I’ve found a few simple tweaks can make your bookmarks even more unique. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Create double-sided bookmarks with a photo on one side and a handwritten message or a child’s drawing on the other.
- Design themed bookmarks! For a grandparent who loves to travel, try an “reading adventure” theme with small stickers of books, maps, or globes.
- Use a corner rounder punch after laminating and trimming for a softer, more professional finish. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference.
Photo Bookmark FAQs 🤔
Q1: What if I don’t have a laminator?
No problem! You can achieve a similar durable effect using clear, wide packing tape. Carefully lay strips of tape over the front and back of your bookmark, overlapping them slightly, and then trim the excess. Self-adhesive laminating sheets, found at most craft stores, are another great no-heat option.
Q2: How can I ensure the photos don’t shift inside the laminating pouch?
A mistake I always see is photos sliding around before they enter the machine. The easiest fix is to place a tiny, almost invisible dab of a glue stick on the back of the cardstock to tack it to the inside of the pouch. This will hold it perfectly in place as it goes through the laminator.
Q3: What’s the easiest way to make a tassel for kids?
The simplest method for little hands is the “fork tassel.” Have your child wrap yarn or embroidery floss around the tines of a regular dinner fork 15-20 times. Then, help them thread a separate piece of string through the top tine, tying it tightly to secure the loop. Slide the yarn off the fork and snip the bottom loops to create the tassel fringe.
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These durable, personalized photo bookmarks are more than just a craft; they are a gift that grandparents will truly use and cherish every day, keeping their loved ones close with every turn of the page. It’s a beautiful way to make sure they’re thinking of you, even when you’re apart.
Which special photo will you choose for your Grandparents’ Day bookmarks? Share your ideas below
