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Make a Custom Lift-the-Flap Book for a Toddler

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introMake a Custom Lift-the-Flap Book for a Toddler

I provide childcare in my home for three toddlers and I've noticed that they really love board books with flaps that open. So for Christmas I made three customized lift-the-flap books for them. This instructable will explain how to make your own and give some tips on how to make the process a little easier.
Make a Custom Lift-the-Flap Book for a Toddler
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step 1Edit photos

Before assembling the book you need to create two prints for each page. During step 2 you will cut through the top layer to make a flap which will reveal someone (or somet…


step 2Cut an old board book to size

On your way to pick up your photos at the print shop swing by your local thrift store and get a board book to use as a base. The book should be at least 4x6 inches in ord…


step 3Cut the flaps

This is the trickiest part of the project. Take an Xacto knife or razor blade and carefully cut three sides of your doors and windows to make flaps. Make sure you have a …


step 4Glue the prints onto the board book

Once you have all your flaps cut you can start gluing the prints onto the board book pages. The bottom layer prints can just be sprayed and then attached to the board book…


step 5To finish

Most important final step: Leave the book fanned open with all the flaps open overnight to dry completely. The last thing you want at this stage is to glue your flaps sh…


21 comments
Nov 6, 2009. 2:27 PMleeski says:
 Awesome Idea.  I'd love to make one of San Francisco for my kids who love board books....
Aug 5, 2009. 12:46 AMthreadbare says:
What a great idea! This would make a great gift!
Jul 17, 2009. 11:45 PMjencroswell says:
This is great! I'm planning on making one of me hiding in or behind different toys and things that belong to my daughter to encourage her to call me mama.
Jun 23, 2009. 10:00 AMannaram says:
That was way cool! I'll definitely have to make some of these to add to all the other great toddler books I've got! I'm probably not going to be as successful as the ones outlined here, but it looks like a fun project to do with the kids.

Feb 26, 2009. 2:01 PMsusanelm says:
This is simply fabulous! I love Photoshop and also my new nephew, Max. Now I have an awesome way to bring the two loves together. By the time I complete this project, Max will be just at the right age for his very own first book.

Thanks for the wonderfully concise instructions!
Feb 26, 2009. 5:26 PMSteveGerber (author) says:
Thanks for the compliment, I hope you will share a few pictures of your project when your book is completed. :)
Dec 11, 2008. 9:27 AMediecago says:
Love it!!!! There are blank board books for sale on internet. I got some on a reading instruction website. Probably couldn't/shouldn't mention website name if I remembered it or looked it up. Set came with sticker sheets the size of the books to print pages - then stick them on.

I added a mirror to one page with same idea as the cutout of the flaps -- putting a mirror in the cutout part. I'd post it, but gave the book away. Be sure to get UNBREAKABLE mirror. I got metal one at science supply store. Since it's framed out, plastic would likely be ok too (toxicity not a problem, kid will chew edges of book not the mirror itself).

Speaking of toxicity, folks- consider using white glue and other less-toxic stuff. The really great graphics spray adhesive has GOT to be bad for little people who will chew on the books.
Nov 22, 2008. 8:50 AMnerdmom920 says:
Ok, I am marking this as a project for Christmas. Great instructable
Nov 21, 2008. 9:37 PMmaneshcs says:
nice and cool
May 12, 2008. 3:47 PMsprogmom says:
This si so beautifully done! What a wonderful idea. I know my girls would love this, especially my 1 yr old who is beginning to really explore books. Thank you for this instructable!
Mar 12, 2008. 5:36 AMdegroof says:
Nice. I'd been meaning to do something like this but never got around to it. As far as how to make a board book from scratch, have a look at this:
http://degroof.home.mindspring.com/boardbook/boardbook.html

One of these days, I'll get around to making that into an Instructable.

Jan 14, 2008. 4:50 AMRobotic_mage says:
That was an awesome instructable. Great Job! Now I want to go out a purchase photoshop.
Jan 14, 2008. 11:14 AMSteveGerber (author) says:
Thanks! Unless you are a professional graphic designer I would recommend just buying Photoshop Elements. I'm still using version 2.0 and It's met my needs as an amateur photographer very well.
Jan 17, 2008. 8:01 PMwolfsingleton says:
Just use GIMP - its free and easy
Feb 9, 2008. 10:35 AM1up says:
Try Paint.NET. One review says, "It's the free equivalent of Photoshop!"
Feb 9, 2008. 9:25 AMinquisitive says:
Beautiful! I have done this on scrapbooks, but will have to make one of these as a card for a friend's birthday.
Maybe a title of "Oh Where Have the Years Gone?".
Jan 17, 2008. 8:02 PMwolfsingleton says:
Great instructable, can't wait to make one for my kids!
Jan 14, 2008. 3:14 PMGorillazMiko says:
I agree with everybody, this is an AWESOME Instructable, the pictures are great, and the steps are very easy to follow too, great job.
Jan 14, 2008. 5:01 AMBrennn10 says:
Very well made Instructable, with very good directions.
Jan 14, 2008. 3:37 AMAeolus says:
nice, i´ll defintely will make one for my son!
Jan 14, 2008. 12:49 AMinspector_fegter says:
Very nice!

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