25 Scrapbook Ideas for Beginners and Experts Alike
Preserve your most precious memories.
With so many digital memory-keeping archives—from social networks like Instagram and Facebook to wireless photo frames—you may wonder if scrapbooking is still a popular activity. We're here to provide a resounding "yes." Though the craft may not be quite as widespread as it once was, plenty of us still prefer to preserve things offline.
Scrapbooks not only make sure you have physical copies of important photos, but they also provide a place for non-digital items—like children's drawings, ticket stubs, and dried wedding flowers. Scrapbooks also make great coffee table conversation starters and keepsake gifts for loved ones. And, you don't need to be an artist, or even particularly good at crafting, to nail it. The beautiful thing about scrapbooks is that each one is unique. With a little guidance—like theme ideas, layout templates, and supply lists—even beginners can make attractive and affordable scrapbooks they'll cherish for years to come.
Here, plenty of Pinterest-worthy inspiration, whether you're crafting a book for a specific event—like your best friend's birthday, a couple's anniversary, the birth of a baby girl or boy (it'll wow at a baby shower)—or compiling year-to-year compendiums for your kids.
Use a Special Photo on the Cover
If your scrapbook has a specific theme—like a trip you took—showcase your favorite photo on the cover. This decoupage technique looks super professional, but is easy enough for beginners to pull off.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
"Frame" Photos
One of the easiest scrapbook templates: Dedicate an entire page to a standout photo. Just be sure to "frame" it with a variety of stickers, cutouts, and embellishments to add dimension and interest to the page.
Get the tutorial at Maggie Holmes Design.
Include Heart Envelopes for Milestones
If you're creating a scrapbook for a couple for a big anniversary, craft these paper heart envelopes, have loved ones add short notes to each, then paste them onto a series of pages.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Or, Add Larger Envelopes for Important Documents
These cleverly-crafted envelopes make a great home for bigger letters or documents—like typed wedding vows or a copy of a birth certificate.
Get the tutorial at Hey Wanderer.
Make a Rolodex Scrapbook
Who ever said a scrapbook has to be a book? Dust off that rolodex in your closet, and give it new life as a place to hold treasured memories. You'll have so much fun flipping through the finished product.
Get the tutorial at Jamie Pate Designs.
Add an Elastic Pencil Case
If your book is part scrapbook, part journal, add a DIY pencil case in a matching aesthetic to ensure you always have the right writing utensils at hand.
Get the tutorial at A Spoonful of Sugar Designs.
Include Interactive Pages
A grid, like this one, is an exceptionally easy layout template for beginners to master. To add interest to the page, why not make it interactive? To create something similar, all you have to do is fold over cardstock to make little lift-up windows.
See more at foreverandaday_create.
Make a Travel Journal
Beginners may find it easier to focus on a particular theme, rather than attempt to tackle an entire year at a time. Start with something like a vacation, since you can pull inspiration from the destination—like zebras for a scrapbook documenting an African safari.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Focus on Specific Holidays
Another manageable option: Create an entire scrapbook focused around a singular holiday. This might be an especially special route to go if it's a milestone year, like baby's first Christmas.
Get the tutorial at Crafting Cheerfully.
Add Pop-Out Features
If you're making a special keepsake for a birthday or holiday, like Mother's Day, accordion-style cards make for fun interactive elements. You can even add a series of photos.
Get the tutorial at White House Crafts.
Use Mixed Media to Create Cool Backgrounds
To prevent pages from looking bare, create whimsical backgrounds, like these mixed media pages, prior to pasting images, text, and other embellishments.
Get the tutorial at Fox + Hazel.
Design a Baby Board Book
Here's a fun idea for a baby girl or boy: Dedicate each page in the scrapbook to a different relative. It's a great way for them to learn everyone's names and likeness—even if family is far away.
Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.
Treat It Like a Journal
Today, a popular scrapbooking trend is to create a book for each month of the year. These function a bit more like journals, but still have the same creative aesthetic as previous generations of scrapbooks.
See more at Mrs Scrap and Plan.
Use Printables
If your child's been tasked with creating a scrapbook for a school project, printables like this template make the job a bit easier, since all you have to do is fill in the blanks and decorate.
Get the printables at Happiness Is Homemade.
Make an Autograph Book
Headed on a special family vacation to Disney? Surprise the kids with these homemade Frozen-inspired scrapbooks—they provide the perfect place to collect character signatures. Then, when you get home, you can let the kids help paste in corresponding pictures.
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Simplify Things Using a Photo Album
Feel overwhelmed by the project, but love the idea of having a keepsake like a scrapbook? Decorating a small photo album with stickers and text is a similar, but much easier, approach.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Don't Be Afraid to Use a Lot of Text
Though scrapbook paper, stickers, glitter, and other embellishments are no doubt fun, don't be afraid to include large blocks of text in your layout—particularly if a page needs a little more context.
See more at Krystal Idunate.
Print Out Your Own Stickers
Can't find just the right stickers for your theme? It's easy to learn how to make your own—all you need is some adhesive paper and a printer.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Put Together a Family Bucket List
At the start of the season—winter, spring, summer, or fall—have each family member write down an activity they want to try, then assemble all of the ideas into a scrapbook, leaving a blank page next to each idea. At the end of the season, fill that blank page with photos of the family completing the activity.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Use a Box Instead
For a more manageable project, use your typical scrapbook supplies—paper, stickers, and even paint—to decorate a wooden box. Then, simply slip keepsakes inside it throughout the year.
Ge the tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
How to Be Happy
Stylish Gym Bags to Sport Right Now
40 Quotes to Use as Mantras for Positive Thinking
11 Lunar New Year Foods and What They Mean
