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Accordion Books

What adventures will unfold within the pages of your accordion book? Let’s find out!

Supplies

  • Cardboard (or cardstock)
  • Paper
  • Pen
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Coloring materials (markers, crayons, colored pencils)
  • Optional supplies: ribbon, string, buttons

STEP 1

Cut out two pieces of cardboard. These will be the front and back cover of your accordion book. If you don’t have cardboard available, thicker cardstock will also work. Cut both pieces the same shape and size. The larger the piece, the larger your book will be.

STEP 2

Cut strips of paper that are the same size as your cardboard. These strips will be the pages to your books. The more strips you have, the longer your book will be.

STEP 3

Fold your paper. By lining up the cardboard with the edge of your paper, you can use it to help you determine where to fold. You can also use the cardboard as a ruler; make light pencil marks at the end of the cardboard. These marks will be where folds are made. 

Make alternative folds, folding on the right side, then the left. When your paper is fully folded, it should look like a long zig-zag. 

If you’re using multiple strips of paper, glue the ends together.

STEP 4

Glue the ends of your paper strip to the inside of your book cover, gluing one end to the front cover, and one end to the back cover. 

Optional: If you want to be able to tie your book closed, glue ribbon on the front and back covers. You can glue the ribbon to the inside or outside of the covers, either works!

STEP 5

Decorate your book cover. You can use markers, crayons, colored pencils, or glue on embellishments or colored paper to make your cover one-of-a-kind.

Now you’re ready to fill your pages with all sorts of stories and creations!

A2AC Digital Learning


Music Credit:

Music from incompetech.com

“Funkorama” by Kevin MacLeod 

License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/)


This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.