How to Make Memory Binders
An inexpensive way to make a scrapbook for your child’s school memories or achievements: How to make memory binders (Costco binders and sheet protectors).
Friends, looking for a way to preserve your kids’ memories or keepsakes?
Since about 2000, I have saved my kid’s “memories” in binders, filled with everything from school pictures, certificates, special, art, poetry, awards, report cards, our family Christmas card and letter … the list goes on and on.
How to Make Memory Binders
This post gives you a list of easy supplies to buy to make your own books. It’s also a great idea for recipes or anything you want to preserve.
When you’re not crazy about scrapbooking, then this is for you!
It’s something tangible, with easy access for both us and for our kids’ enjoyment. (I thumbed through my oldest son’s book one year ago as we sent him off to college, and found a very sentimental letter. I try to fill the books with anything memorable that will be fun for the kids to look at as they get older.)
That’s when I posted several years back about making easy, very inexpensive Memory Binders for your kids.
-Heidi wrote me last week and sent me a picture of her books, and I love how she organized them by her kids’ ages
-My books are organized by my kids’ school years.
-Either way, I’m linking to my original post, but here are the simple supplies that you will need.
Supplies needed to create a Memory Binder
- 2″ white binders from Costco (4 in a pack)
- Scrapbook paper (or plain colored paper)
- 1 box sheet protectors
Starting with Pre-K, I have saved art, special memories, class pictures, sports awards, first book report, every report card, articles their dad has written – you name it, and have filed these papers into these books.
Here are more ideas of what goes in the binder!
ENJOY getting organized!
This is a repost from Sept. 2011
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I struggle with organizing my kids artwork. What do you do with things that are too big for a binder but you still want to keep? Right now, everything is in a bin.
Already “liked” you on FB. :)
I need help organizing my closets and garage and all the photos! Thank you!!
i need help de-cluttering!!! cupboards, laundry room, closets … argh. it feels so good when i do it but i need a plan and some inspiration :)
While paper–including kids’ school paper–is a problem, my biggest problem at the moment is figuring out a laundry system that works for me.
I love love love this! I have been storing all these wonderful thingg for years in a huge plastic tupperware box and stressing about how to get them into a scrapbook. You are my answer! I am going to do this myself. I will have to feature you on my blog! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
What Heather said! Oh, and basement. Basement, basement, basement. I’m not entering to win a copy, I’m just commenting. I went right online with Chapters.Indigo and ordered it. :-D See how desperate I am?
BTW, Sandy. Your peach cobbler recipe is in the oven (for a Saturday BBQ) as I type. I threw some blueberries in this time. The aroma is killing me. I must run downstairs and boogie for a while. Cheers!
I would have to the sentimental stuff…
I need help with daily stuff, like mail organization — it ends up piling up and getting put in different places and sometimes lost….. :o( Even if I have a central location it seems to end up like that — we just moved so I’m hoping to get a fresh start on clutter rehab — I’m learning (slowly but surely) to give and throw more away! yay! Thanks so much!
EVERYHING!!! I have 4 kids 6 and under. i have finally completed my 2nd child’s 1st year photo album (still haven’t done 1st child’s). i have only ever converted one tape to dvd (we have the mini tapes, so you can’t actually watch them until they get put on dvd). my toy closet is a mess (where we put toys after 1 kid grows out of them to be saved for the next kid). my boxes of too small, too big, consign, donate…clothes is a mess! and on and on!!!
I need help with paper clutter. Paper seems to be coming out of my ears no matter what I do!
I could use ideas for organizing my pantry and laundry room/closet. I buy in bulk and it is sometimes hard to make it look nice and organized!
I liked you on FB!
I love this idea! I really need help organizing my home office. I have a home-based business, so I need to be organized! Thanks for the giveaway! I love your blog!
I need help organizing EVERYWHERE, but if I had to pick one it would be our garage. We literally can’t even fit a car in there :( And now, with a baby on the way, I am feeling more urgency to get our place in order. I’m desperate! Pick me!
I need help getting all my photos in the old fashioned scrapbooks. Minimalism has helped my housekeeping immensely. Get rid of stuff!
I love this idea! I am currently in the process of going back through my kids papers (they are now 17 and 21) since we are finishing our basement and I need to declutter. I have used smaller document boxes for their sports and awards, but for everyday papers from school and report cards this would be great!!
We use binders for the kids, too! Our area of greatest need for organizing is the home office. We find storing all the extra school and office supplies difficult.
I need help with organization in my desk drawers in particular, but generally in any area where there is a lot of little items running around (my jewelry, for example).
I am constantly trying to get organized but never really seem to get there. I homeschool five kids so I guess that’s the biggest area I need to keep organized. I could use it in all aspects of my life!!!
As a homeschooling mom I could really use help keeping all of our school stuff organized. Seems like we are always over run by books and papers and projects.
I definitely know that organizing my kids’ art, certificates, pictures, etc…is where I need the biggest help. I know my house could use a good going over and a lot of de cluttering. Thanks for posting!
I really need help with paper clutter. Where does it all come from?!? The binders are great for the kids, love this idea.
I think I am a border-line hoarder…well at least my husband thinks so :) but seriously, it seems like being able to get rid of things and minimizing is the biggest issue I face. I always think I might “need” it later…but later is usually the next time I’m cleaning. Thank you for the advice on the binders, great ideas!
Love the look of the notebooks. My kids are grown – wonder if I could find some other reason to create such cool looking binders. I could definitely use the most clutter rehab in the area of paper control.