• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Art and Crafts / Postage Stamp Craft: Handmade Bookmarks

    May 1, 2013

    Postage Stamp Craft: Handmade Bookmarks

    412 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Look! The kids and I got crafty! I combined my love of bookmarks and my affection for foreign postage stamps and together we made these awesome (if I do say so myself) handmade postage stamp bookmarks! These would also make a lovely Mother's Day present (if it's not too weird to help make your own gift!) or a gift for teachers.

    Easy postage stamp craft for kids - handmade bookmarks

    Sadly, the triumph of email over snail mail means fewer stamps to collect for crafts. Fortunately most people still send holiday cards in the traditional fashion, so after a few Christmases, you can amass a collection of stamps to use. Flea markets and junk stores are also good places to find old stamps. Often non-valuable stamps are sold by the bag-full.

    I have a soft spot for foreign stamps. There is something so appealing about exoticness of the words and symbols on them. The bookmarks have a nostalgic element, too. If you have old letters from when you were a kid, it would be fun to make a bookmark out of them.

    How to make Handmade Bookmarks from Postage Stamps:

    How to make handmade bookmarks out of postage stamps

    Materials:
    Construction paper (preferably card stock) in any color
    Old postage stamps
    Scissors
    Glue Stick

    Note: You may be tempted to cover your bookmarks with Contact Paper. This is what I would have done in the past. Do not do use Contact Paper. Contact paper is made out of PVC vinyl which is a major source of phthalates.  If you want to know why to keep phthalates out of the hands of kids, read this article about the dangers of the chemical from Healthy Child Healthy World. Yes, it may mean that your bookmark becomes worn over time. Embrace the aging process!

    Instructions:

    1. Cut card stock to the desired size of the finished bookmark.
    2. Glue postage stamps to card stock. I love the glue sticks that go on purple and dry clear. The purple color makes it easy for kids to see where they've put the glue.
    3. Resist the temptation to straighten the stamps your child has affixed haphazardly!
    4. If the stamps are hanging over the edge (like ours) you can glue the bookmark to a slightly larger piece of colored card stock and trim. You can see we did this with dark blue paper.
    5. Read a book! Mark your stopping place with your new bookmark!

    Easy Kid Craft: postage stamp bookmarks

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Life With No TV: Why We Gave Up Television
    5 Shape Activities Perfect for Preschoolers »
    412 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. E.S. Ivy says

      May 02, 2013 at 1:24 pm

      What a neat idea for some of those pretty commemorative stamps. My grandfather collected stamps so I always have trouble throwing them away, but a few years ago I had to face the fact that if I hadn't started a stamp collection in 30 years it was never going to happen! 🙂

      Hmmm... maybe you could coat with a layer of modge podge (I think that's what it's called) to keep the stamps from being pulled off.

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 02, 2013 at 1:36 pm

        I've never used Mod Podge, that is an interesting idea I will have to investigate!

        Reply
    2. E.S. Ivy says

      May 02, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      P.S. - Also I loved the line "resist the urge to straighten the stamps your child put on crooked." I can definitely relate!

      Reply
      • Erica MomandKiddo says

        May 02, 2013 at 1:37 pm

        Yes. I was literally holding my hands to keep from doing this!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2021 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.