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Baby Books: DIY Project for Older Siblings

by Colleen Larson (Subscribe to Colleen Larson's posts)
Jun 28th 2010 10:00AM

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Filed under: Babies


Involve older siblings in projects to welcome the new baby. Credit: Getty


One of the of the most original ways to welcome a new addition into the family is with a hand-crafted baby book. Stuffed animals and cute baby clothes are nice, but baby books, especially when done as a DIY project by older siblings, is a gift likely to be treasured for life.

Adults are fond of holding on to items they received as children that are special to them, and, chances are, a baby book made by an older brother or sister would be cherished.

A lot of attention is going to be placed on the new addition, which often can take away from the attention an older sibling is used to receiving. Getting older siblings involved in a DIY project for the baby, such as making a baby book, reminds a big brother or sister that they have not been forgotten. It also gives them a unique way to show a new baby their love.


Make a baby scrapbook

Scrapbooking has become a popular pastime and a perfect DIY project for an older sibling. You and your child can visit a craft store and find aisles of scrapbook items that your child can assemble for an attractive baby book.

Babyzone lists the supplies needed for this kind of baby book: a scrapbook, archival paper, photo corners, a glue stick, scissors, a paper trimmer, photos and mementos. Including baby's first photos, personal statements and even such things as three-dimensional items like baby pins, adds life and love to a baby scrapbook. When you bring your child to the craft store, you'll enjoy watching her excitement as she chooses various goodies for the baby book.

Get creative with a photo book

These are more than just photo albums. Personalized baby books featuring photographs can be arranged to tell a story, and can be contained in hard cover albums for lasting memories. Not sure where to start? Get some inspiration from the examples at Shutterfly, which include making a storybook with photos of your baby's stuffed animals. Older siblings will love this DIY project for the baby. It gives them a chance to choose baby's stuffed animals that they like the most and allows them to be creative by inventing a story to go along with the photographs. Help your older children solidify their ideas, but, ultimately, let them make the decisions for the finished product.

Make a cloth baby book

Cloth baby books have been around for a long time and they still make great gifts for a new baby. An older brother or sister will enjoy getting involved in this DIY project for the baby. Take your child to a fabric store and let him choose appropriate fabric for the cloth baby book. Purchase fabric markers or fabric paint and let your child create the story. Add your own touches, such as embroidery, that will complete the book, but may be too difficult for an older sibling to accomplish.

Getting older siblings involved in an extensive craft project will help them feel closer to the new baby. You can help them get started on a new baby book while you're pregnant, and they can continue to add to it for as long as they want as the baby grows.

Tags: baby-books, babybooks, DIYproject, older-siblings, parent-dish, scrapbook

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