Maker Monday: Kids can make Monster Bookmarks

This Maker Monday activity is perfect for kickstarting summer reading season! Monster Bookmarks will incite a giggly smile each time a book is opened.

The origami portion of this project is great for helping kids develop dexterity and also introduces follow-the-directions logic. Once that is done, creativity takes over with a world of possibilities for making a personalized monster face.

As with all Maker Monday projects, kids can make these bookmarks with items you may have around the house or can pick up at a nearby dollar store. Just follow the step-by-step instructions below. A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday Materials:

• one square piece of paper (origami paper works best, but any construction paper works)
• other pieces of construction paper in different colors
• markers or crayons
• scissors
• a glue stick or school glue

Step one: Fold a piece of square paper in half, corner to corner, to make a triangle.

Step two: Fold the two side points of the triangle in meet at the center point (see above).

Step three: Open the paper back to a triangle, then fold the top of the triangle inside, so it meets the fold lines. The back of the triangle remains pointing up, while the front part is tucked inside.

Step four: Refold the two sides inward and tuck them both inside. This creates the basic bookmark, which will slip easily over the corner of a page of a book.

Step five: Now you can decorate your bookmark any way you’d like! You can cut a different colored square slightly smaller than the bookmark square and glue it inside. Then cut out eyes, hair, pointy teeth, or a long scary tongue and glue in place. Your Monster Bookmark can be as silly or creepy as you wish!

Now you’re ready to start reading and using your bookmark to hold your place. Enjoy the bookmark as you read books all summer long, and don’t forget to participate in Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Summer Reading program!

Want more at-home fun creating cool stuff and making beautiful things? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here. Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activity ideas to info@kidsburgh.org.