Travel DIY Notebook Case For Kids

Summer is a lot of things…but around here it is most definitely ROAD TRIP SEASON!  Our family is spread out all over the country, so each summer we hop in the van and make the long trek out to see them. I have learned (the hard way), just how important it is to think ahead and make sure that the kids have something to keep them occupied during those long hours in the van.  My kids are really into drawing and coloring so I thought it would be fun to whip up some simple DIY notebook cases that hold both a little notebook and a couple of crayons.  This way, everything is in one place and easy for them to access by themselves as we travel.

These travel DIY notebook cases are really simple to make and require just a couple supplies.

Supplies needed to make your own travel DIY notebook cases:

• 3 x 4 inch Blank Cover Journal
• Felt
• Embroidery Thread
• Sewing Machine and Thread
• Scissors
• Buttons
• Ribbon
• Straight Pins

Once you have all of your supplies, cut your felt.

Besides the front embellishments, you will need to cut 4 pieces of felt.  The following measurements are based on the use of a 3 x 4 inch notebook.

• Front (dark pink below) – 8 x 5 inches
• Top of Pocket – 3 x 1 inches
• Pocket – 3.5 x 4 inches
• Notebook Flap – 2.5 x 5 inches

I also cut out a heart and a “B” for the front embellishments.  I just free-hand cut these pieces.

Next, grab your embroidery thread and stitch down your front embellishments to the right side of the front piece.  I used a running stitch for this step.

Next, grab some straight pins and pin the “pocket” piece and the “notebook flap” piece in place.  Use the straight pin to pin in the ribbon as shown below.  Then head to the sewing machine and sew around 3 sides of each piece, making sure to sew down the ribbon as you go.  When you finish this, sew the top of the pocket in place, sewing just along the top of that piece.

Finally, sew a button to the center top of the pocket.  Then cut a hole through the top of the pocket so that the button will slide through.

And your DIY notebook case is complete!  Just slip the notebook into place (feel free to add a little hot glue to the back if you are worried about it sliding out) and put some crayons into the pocket.  I hope that this little DIY notebook case brings hours and hours of entertainment to my kids and yours on those long summer road trips!

I have a feeling my kids will be loving their little DIY notebook cases whether we are on the road or just at home!

All the best and safe travels!

Nancy

Nancy is the play-at-home mom of 3 little ones, ages 3 and under. When she gets a chance she blogs at dosmallthingswithlove.com about the intersection of motherhood and creativity. She has a special passion for embroidery, something she has been doing and experimenting with since she was a girl. A farm girl at heart, she now lives in Minneapolis and enjoys gardening, reading, stitching, traveling and painting. Most any day you can find her with a baby on her hip, barefoot, chasing her kids around the yard and eating beans fresh out of the garden.