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Lapbooking: How to Lapbook + Over 90 Free Lapbook Printables

Published: July 19, 2020

Contributor: Sara Dennis

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Have you ever thought about sitting down and creating lapbooks with your kids, but thought it would be too difficult? Nothing is further from the truth! Lapbooks are super easy to make work beautiful with unit studies and are a great way to record everything kids have learned about a subject. So today I’m sharing with you a quick guide to lapbooking. You’ll learn how to make a lapbook, and you’ll find over 90 free lapbook printables for you to use in your homeschool! Plus, download free lapbook templates for DIY lapbooking at the bottom of this post. 

What is a Lapbook?

In order to make a lapbook, kids create small activity books, fold paper, and answer questions to create their books. Then all the activity books are gathered and glued onto manila folders which fit on a child’s lap. Hence the name lapbook.

They’re so easy that even non-crafty moms can make them. All you need are some manila folders, templates, colored pencils or crayons, scissors, and glue.

Lapbooks are Perfect for Visual Learners

Lapbooks are great if you have a visual learner. If your child enjoys creating things like my hands-on, artsy daughter – they will thrive with lapbooking. She loves working with her hands, drawing, cutting, gluing, crafting – all of it. And she really is a visual learner, so lapbooks are the perfect addition to her learning!

Lapbooks are a great way to help children visually see the layout of a book, learn more about an animal, country, and more.

If you have a visual learner like mine, I’m sure they will love putting together lapbooks. And the best part is you can literally make a lapbook for any subject, book, or topic. And all it really takes is some file folders, a printer, scissors, glue, and a pencil.

How to Make a Lapbook

All you need are some templates you can use to create your own, or even some you can type in for multiple kids (to save for the future). But if you’re new to lapbooking, like me, you can find a very helpful series here on Homeschool Share. We have gathered a huge list for you to get started.

All you need to do is download and print the templates and have a pile of manila folders for the children to use. Your children will need colored pencils or crayons, scissors, and glue. Add in a few books so the kids can do some research to answer the questions and you’re good to go.

Your kids will have fun making their lapbooks and showing the books off to grandparents.

90+ Free Lapbook Printables

Here are a bunch of lapbooking printables on many different topics to help you teach your kids. You’ll find lapbooks on language arts, math, history, geography, and more. Your kids will have a great time as they study these topics and create their lapbooks.

Language Arts Lapbooks

Language arts lapbooks are a fun way to teach your children specific skills such as how library catalogs work, parts of speech, or capitalization rules.

Library Skills Lapbook – Kids create their own lapbook as they learn about the history of libraries, the Dewey Decimal System, library catalogs, and more.

Parts of Speech Lapbook – This free lapbook is a creative way for younger kids to learn about the parts of speech.

Poetry for Children Lapbook – This free poetry book is the perfect way for your kids to learn about many different concepts while studying poetry. There are 20 different little booklets for the kids to make.

Writer’s Workshop Helper – This Writer’s Workshop Helper is a great way for younger kids to work on writing. All you need to create this lapbook are some file folders and colored paper to print on.

Phonics Lapbooks – This lapbook has a Montessori twist which allows you to use the lapbook in different ways.

Short and Long Vowels Lapbook – If your child is studying short and long vowels, this is the perfect lapbook for you to make.

Poetry Lapbook – This unit study uses The Random House Book of Poetry as a launching point for the activities and booklets kids make.

Literature Lapbooks

These literature lapbooks can take the place of a book report. They’re also a wonderful way to expand your study of a book into a complete unit study as you look at the culture, geography, and history behind the book. Some literature lapbooks even include units about math and science topics.

Little House on the Prairie Lapbooks

Complete Little House on the Prairie Series Lapbook Set – If you’re reading through the Little House on the Prairie series with your kids, then you need these free lapbooks.

Little House: The First Four Years Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook is a great way to do a study on the book The First Four Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Little House on the Prairie Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook walks you through the events in the book Little House on the Prairie. You’ll also find vocabulary words to study such as having the kids look up what a ford is.

Little House in the Big Woods Lapbook – This lapbook walks through The Little House in the Big Woods chapter by chapter.

Little House: These Happy Golden Years Lapbook – If you’re reading These Happy Golden Years , then you’ll want this lapbook to go with your study.

By the Shores of Silver Lake Story Study Lapbook – This is another great lapbook unit to use if you’re reading through the Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Little Town on the Prairie Lapbook – This lapbook uses basic materials to cover the events of the book Little Town on the Prairie.

The Long Winter Story Study Lapbook – A lot happened in the book The Long Winter. This lapbook is a great way to cover the events with your kids.

Farmer Boy Lapbook – This is a free literature unit study on the book Farmer Boy.

Chronicles of Narnia Lapbooks

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Story Study Lapbook – This lapbook has you creating mini books for each chapter as you read through the book.

The Magician’s Nephew Story Study Lapbook – You will also create mini books for each chapter of The Magician’s Nephew as you read through the book.

The Horse and His Boy Story Study Lapbook – The Horse and His Boy Lapbook comes as an easy-to-print pdf file for you to use.

More Literature Lapbooks

Tale of Peter Rabbit Lapbook – If you’re reading The Tale of Peter Rabbit with your kids, then this is a great resource for your studies.

Little Bear Literature Lapbook – This is a simple lapbook that covers A Kiss for Little Bear.

The Sorely Trying Day Literature Lapbook – Have you or your kids ever had a trying day? Then you’ll love this lapbook that’s meant to be completed over 4 or 5 days as you read and reread The Sorely Trying Day.

10+ Aesop’s Fables Lapbooks – Aesop’s Fables are a favorite topic in my house. This lapbook helps you teach your kids about Aesop and his fables as you create interactive notebooks from manila folders.

Flat Stanley Lapbook – This Flat Stanley lapbook is a fun unit of study for kids.

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel – These lapbook templates are great study tools as you work through Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel . You’ll find studies on science, geography, and language arts to create flap books with your kids.

Dragons Love Tacos Lapbook – This lapbook on Dragons Love Tacos is an 8-page pdf for younger kids.

The Day the Crayons Quit – The Day the Crayons Quit is a great first lapbook for you and your kids to make.

Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books Lapbook – If you’re reading Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books in your home school, then this is a great lapbook for you to use. It doesn’t just cover Lincoln’s life, but also includes language arts and social studies lessons.

The Day of Ahmed’s Secret – The Day of Ahmed’s Secret is a fun unit study to complete with your kids. The interactive notebooks they make will be loved for years.

Faraway Home Lapbook – The Faraway Home lapbook includes lessons on Ethiopia, history, and science.

Free Book Report Lapbook Template (link is in the first paragraph) – Sometimes you don’t want to have to cover a specific book. Instead, this free lapbook template gives you the study tools you need to create a lapbook about any book your child is reading.

Science Lapbooks

Science lapbooks are a great way to teach your children at grade level. There’s no wrong way to complete the topics. Just grab your favorite resources, do some research, and write down what you’ve learned.

Rabbit Lapbook – Do you have a child interested in rabbits? Then you’ll love the free templates that walk you through creating a lapbook about rabbits.

North American Robin Lapbook – This is another specific topic lapbook kids love. Your kids will learn all about the life cycle, habitat, and geography of the North American Robin.

Botany Lapbook – The Botany lapbook includes flap books you can create about various botany topics.

Ants Unit Study and Lapbook – If your child is looking to study a particular topic like ants, then this is the unit study and lapbook for you. The lessons include fascinating topics and activities such as creating a small booklet about the types of ants.

Animal Classification Lapbook – Creating this animal classification lapbook from Homeschool Share is a great way to study animal classification with your kids.

Free Shark Lapbook – Get the study tools you need for a unit study about sharks. You’ll use a manila folder to create various booklets about sharks’ anatomy, diet, senses, and more.

Free Spider Lapbook – This spider lapbook is a great resource for learning all about spiders with your children.

Bears Lapbook – Do you have a kid who loves bears? Then they’ll love this lapbook project pack that covers bears from all over the world.

Dolphin Unit Study & Lapbook – Learn fascinating facts about dolphins with your kids. Find out if dolphins are whales, how dolphins behave, and what is a dolphin pad. This planning guide will walk you through the unit study with your kids.

Frog Unit Study and Lapbook Printables – This unit of study covers frogs. All you’ll need to complete it are some basic materials like glue sticks, a manila folder, and the lapbook templates.

Elephants Animal Study and Lapbook – Study elephants with this fun lapbook project pack. Learn where elephants live, what they eat, and how they use their trunks.

Desert Animals Unit Study and Lapbook – This lapbook about desert animals is a fun one to make with your children. Kids will learn a little bit about several different animals such as coyotes, roadrunners, scorpions, and rattlesnakes.

Giant Panda Lapbook – Learn about giant pandas while you create this lapbook for kids.

Butterfly Lapbook – If you’re studying butterflies then you and your children will love completing this lapbook about butterflies.

Periodic Table Lapbook – If you have a kid studying chemistry, then this lapbook is perfect for your kid. They’ll learn about the different elements, complete experiments, and record the information.

Space Lapbook – Learn all about stars, comets, and satellites with this interactive space lapbook.

Chicken Lapbook – This chicken lapbook is a great lapbook for young kids doing lapbooks for the first time. They’ll learn all about eggs, chicken breeds, and the lifespan of a chicken.

Free Human Body Lapbook and Unit Study – This fun lapbook and unit study is a great way to learn all about the senses, organs, and systems of the human body.

History Lapbooks

If you’re looking for study tools to help your children learn about history, then lapbooks are what you need. These lapbooks will walk you through specific topics in history such as the Pony Express, the Civil War, and Ancient Egypt.

Pony Express Lapbook – The Pony Express is a popular subject in American history, especially with kids. So, download this lapbook to learn all about the Pony Express.

United States Flag Lapbook – Have you wanted to learn about the United States flag? Then this is the lapbook for you!

U.S. Constitution Lapbook – The U.S. Constitution lapbook is a great unit study to complete with kids of all ages. You’ll learn about the framers of the constitution, the Bill of Rights, amendments, and more.

Ancient Egypt Lapbook – This lapbook on Ancient Egypt is a 16-page pdf download filled with fun mini-books to complete. Plus, the lapbook folds into a 3D pyramid-shaped folder!

Free Ancient China Lapbook – This lapbook allows you to study fun facts about Ancient China such as the different dynasties and all about the terracotta soldiers.

Benjamin Franklin Lapbook – If you’re studying Benjamin Franklin then you need this lapbook that walks you through the life of this great man.

Civil War Lapbook – This Civil War lapbook contains projects for your kids to create, information about the war, and a timeline for the kids to complete.

Boston Tea Party Lapbook – The Boston Tea Party Lapbook is a great addition to your study of the American Revolution. Plus, it’s created for kids from grades 3 to grade 8.

Amelia Earhart Lapbook – Learn all about Amelia Earhart’s life with this fun lapbook. You’ll study her youth, her jobs, as well as her first flight across the Atlantic.

Parliamentary Procedure Lapbook – Do your kids need to know about the parliamentary procedure? Then this is the lapbook for you! Kids will learn about Robert’s Rules of Order and how to use them in a meeting.

Robin Hood Unit Study and Lapbook Printables – Robin Hood is a fun topic for kids to study in history. With this lapbook you’ll learn about the legend of Robin Hood, the history behind him, as well as the science of surviving in a forest.

Geography Lapbooks

Geography lapbooks are a great way to learn about the geography of the world. Kids can write down what they’ve learned about various continents, countries, and states. Here are a few lapbooks to get you started.

United States Lapbook – This geography lapbook walks you through the geography of the entire United States. You’ll learn not only where the states are located but also about the state capitols, flowers, and birds.

Brazil Country Lapbook – This is a great lapbook with the main topic being Brazil. You and your kids will study sports and entertainment, the population, animals, and more.

Morocco Country Lapbook – Learn about the country of Morocco when you complete this fun lapbook.

Ghana Unit & Lapbook – Curious about Ghana? Then download this lapbook to find out about the religion, food, and government of Ghana.

Kenya Country Lapbook – This lapbook comes with all the templates you need to learn about the country of Kenya.

Australia Country Lapbook – If you have a child interested in Australia, you’ll want to grab this lapbook. You’ll learn about the time zones, animals, flags, and population as you complete the unit study.

Ecuador Country Lapbook – Ecuador is another fun country to learn about. This lapbook introduces you to the geography, cities, climate, and agriculture of the country.

Guatemala Country Lapbook – Have you ever wondered what time it is in Guatemala? This lapbook is a great way to find out! Plus you’ll learn about the currency, population, clothing, and more as you complete this unit of study.

Ireland Country Lapbook – Study the beautiful country of Ireland with this fun Ireland Country Lapbook.

Japan Country Lapbook – This lapbook includes learning information about the animals, language, and clothing of Japan along with other fun facts.

Geography Lapbook – This is a great lapbook to introduce your children to the basic terminology of geography. Kids will learn about a compass rose, longitude, latitude, continents, oceans, and more.

Any Country Lapbook Template – If you’re working through the countries of the world, this is a great lapbook to have. The basic template includes creating a map of the country, studying the flag, adding quick facts, and more.

Any State Lapbook Template – This is a basic template to study any state in the United States. Kids create various maps, draw the flag, discover what other states border it, create a quick facts list, and more.

Yellowstone National Park Lapbook – Have you wanted to study Yellowstone National Park with your kids? Then this is the lapbook for you!

Math Lapbooks

Lapbooks can also be used to help your kids’ study math. These lapbooks include interactive activities that will encourage your kids to master their multiplication facts, learn Roman numerals, and more.

Multiplication Facts Lapbook – Kids create an interactive multiplication lapbook that will help them learn their multiplication facts.

Discovering Money Lapbook – Help your young kids learn about pennies, dimes, quarters, and dollars with this interactive money lapbook.

Metric System Lapbook – This is a fun metric system lapbook for elementary kids that’s a marvelous way to learn and master the metric system.

Money Lapbook – This lapbook is for older kids. It walks them through investing in stocks, taxes, how to write checks, and more.

Roman Numerals Lapbook – Teach your kids all about Roman numerals with this fun and free lapbook. They’ll not only learn the symbols, but they’ll also learn how to count and match Roman numerals to Arabic numerals.

Shapes Lapbook – Are you studying shapes with your preschool or kindergarten-age child? Then you’ll love this Shapes Lapbook.

Other Lapbooks

The best part about lapbooks is that they can work for many different topics, not just math, history, and literature. Here are a bunch of fun lapbooks on various topics you can complete with your kids.

Free The Lion King Lapbook – If your kids love The Lion King, they’ll adore this free lapbook. You’ll study the story as well as some of the various animals seen in the movie.

Cinderella Unit and Lapbook Printables – Make a complete unit study around the story of Cinderella. It includes botany, social studies, math, and more!

Camping Lapbook – If you’re going camping this summer, then you’ll love this camping lapbook. It walks through various skills such as lighting a fire, being prepared, observing birds, and more.

Detectives Lapbook – Kids are fascinated by detectives. This lapbook is a great introduction to detectives and the work they do.

Maple Syrup Lapbook – Learn all about maple trees, tapping sap, and how to make maple syrup with this amazing lapbook.

Months of the Year Lapbook – Are you tired of endlessly reciting the months of the year with your kids? Then make this lapbook instead.

Pirates Multi-book Theme Unit  – Learn all about pirates, the Jolly Roger, and Blackbeard with this fascinating multi-book theme unit study.

Soccer Unit and Lapbook – Does your child love to play soccer? Then they’ll adore this soccer lapbook. Not only will kids learn about goalkeepers, rules, and moves, but they’ll also learn about the history of soccer.

Trains Lapbook and Printables – This train lapbook is perfect for younger children. Kids will make rhymes, learn train words that begin with T, recite Philippians 4:13, and sing train songs.

Transportation Lapbook Printables – This preschool transportation lapbook includes fun activities such as learning about shapes, colors, and the alphabet.

Weather Lapbook and Printables – Are your kids curious about the weather? Then this is the perfect lapbook for you. You’ll learn about lightning, thunder, wind words, rain words, and more.

More Free Lapbooks for Every Subject

If you are looking for more free lapbooks for every subject , Heart and Soul Homeschooling has a big list!

DIY Lapbooking Templates

Help your kids make their homeschool lessons fun and creative with these lapbooking templates. Use them inside manila folders, spiral notebooks, or on construction paper. Make colorful lapbooks by printing on colored printer paper. The possibilities are almost endless!

Instant Download: Free Lapbook Templates PDF Printables

Sara dennis.

Sara Dennis is a veteran homeschool mom of six who’s still homeschooling her two youngest kids after the older four have graduated, entered college, and moved on to adult life. She blogs at Classically Homeschooling .

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42 Creative Book Report Ideas for Students

Inspire your students to share their love of books.

Responding to what you read is an important literacy skill. Reading about other people’s experiences and perspectives helps kids learn about the world. And although students don’t need to dive deeply into every single book they read, occasionally digging into characters, settings, and themes can help them learn to look beyond the prose. Here are 42 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more meaningful.

1. Concrete Found Poem

This clever activity is basically a shape poem made up of words, phrases, and whole sentences found in the books students read. The words come together to create an image that represents something from the story.

2. Graphic Novel

Have students rewrite the book they are reading, or a chapter of their book, as a graphic novel. Set parameters for the assignment such as including six scenes from the story, three characters, details about the setting, etc. And, of course, include detailed illustrations to accompany the story.

3. Book Snaps

Book Snaps are a way for students to visually show how they are reacting to, processing, and/or connecting with a text. First, students snap a picture of a page in the book they are reading. Then, they add comments, images, highlights, and more.

4. Diary Entry

Have your students place themselves in the shoes of one of the characters from their book and write a first-person diary entry of a critical moment from the story. Ask them to choose a moment in the story where the character has plenty of interaction and emotion to share in a diary entry.

5. Character To-Do List

This fun activity is an off-the-beaten-path way to dive deep into character analysis. Get inside the head of the main character in a book and write a to-do list that they might write. Use actual information from the text, but also make inferences into what that character may wish to accomplish.

6. Mint Tin Book Report

There are so many super-creative, open-ended projects you can use mint tins for. This teacher blogger describes the process of creating book reports using them. There’s even a free template for cards that fit inside.

7. Fictional Yearbook Entries

Ask your students to create a yearbook based on the characters and setting in the book. What do they look like? Cut out magazine pictures to give a good visual image for their school picture. What kind of superlative might they get? Best looking? Class clown? What clubs would they be in or lead? Did they win any awards? It should be obvious from their small yearbooks whether your students dug deep into the characters in their books. They may also learn that who we are as individuals is reflected in what we choose to do with our lives.

8. Book Report Cake

This project would be perfect for a book tasting in your classroom! Each student presents their book report in the shape of food. See the sandwich and pizza options above and check out this blog for more delicious ideas.

9. Current Events Comparison

Have students locate three to five current events articles a character in their book might be interested in. After they’ve found the articles, have them explain why the character would find them interesting and how they relate to the book. Learning about how current events affect time, place, and people is critical to helping develop opinions about what we read and experience in life.

10. Sandwich Book Report

Yum! You’ll notice a lot of our creative book report ideas revolve around food. In this oldie but goodie, each layer of this book report sandwich covers a different element of the book—characters, setting, conflict, etc. A fun adaptation of this project is the book report cheeseburger.

11. Book Alphabet

Choose 15 to 20 alphabet books to help give your students examples of how they work around themes. Then ask your students to create their own Book Alphabet based on the book they read. What artifacts, vocabulary words, and names reflect the important parts of the book? After they find a word to represent each letter, have them write one sentence that explains where the word fits in.

12. Peekaboo Book Report

Using cardboard lap books (or small science report boards), students include details about their book’s main characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, etc. Then they draw a head and arms on card stock and attach them to the board from behind to make it look like the main character is peeking over the report.

13. T-Shirt Book Report

Another fun and creative idea: Create a wearable book report with a plain white tee. Come up with your own using Sharpie pens and acrylic paint. Get step-by-step directions .

14. Book Jacket

Have students create a new book jacket for their story. Include an attractive illustrated cover, a summary, a short biography of the author, and a few reviews from readers.

15. Watercolor Rainbow Book Report

This is great for biography research projects. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. Then, they draw lines from the image to the edges of the paper, like rays of sunshine, and fill in each section with information about the person. As a book report template, the center image could be a copy of the book cover, and each section expands on key information such as character names, theme(s), conflict, resolution, etc.

16. Act the Part

Have students dress up as their favorite character from the book and present an oral book report. If their favorite character is not the main character, retell the story from their point of view.

17. Pizza Box Book Report

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas that use upcycled materials, try this one using a pizza box. It works well for both nonfiction and fiction book reports. The top lid provides a picture of the book cover. Each wedge of the pizza pie tells part of the story.

18. Bookmark

Have students create a custom illustrated bookmark that includes drawings and words from either their favorite chapter or the entire book.

19. Book Reports in a Bag

Looking for book report ideas that really encourage creative thinking? With book reports in a bag, students read a book and write a summary. Then, they decorate a paper grocery bag with a scene from the book, place five items that represent something from the book inside the bag, and present the bag to the class.

20. Reading Lists for Characters

Ask your students to think about a character in their book. What kinds of books might that character like to read? Take them to the library to choose five books the character might have on their to-be-read list. Have them list the books and explain what each book might mean to the character. Post the to-be-read lists for others to see and choose from—there’s nothing like trying out a book character’s style when developing your own identity.

21. File Folder Book Report

Also called a lap book, this easy-to-make book report hits on all the major elements of a book study and gives students a chance to show what they know in a colorful way.

22. Collage

Create a collage using pictures and words that represent different parts of the book. Use old magazines or print pictures from the Internet.

23. Book Report Triorama

Who doesn’t love a multidimensional book report? This image shows a 3D model, but Elisha Ann provides a lesson to show students how to glue four triangles together to make a 4D model.

24. Timeline

Have students create a timeline of the main events from their book. Be sure to include character names and details for each event. Use 8 x 11 sheets of paper taped together or a long portion of bulletin board paper.

25. Clothes Hanger Book Report Mobile

This creative project doesn’t require a fancy or expensive supply list. Students just need an ordinary clothes hanger, strings, and paper. The body of the hanger is used to identify the book, and the cards on the strings dangling below are filled with key elements of the book, like characters, setting, and a summary.

26. Public Service Announcement

If a student has read a book about a cause that affects people, animals, or the environment, teach them about public service announcements . Once they understand what a PSA is, have them research the issue or cause that stood out in the book. Then give them a template for a storyboard so they can create their own PSA. Some students might want to take it a step further and create a video based on their storyboard. Consider sharing their storyboard or video with an organization that supports the cause or issue.

27. Dodecahedron Book Report

Creative book report ideas think outside the box. In this case, it’s a ball! SO much information can be covered on the 12 panels , and it allows students to take a deep dive in a creative way.

28. Character Cards

Make trading cards (like baseball cards) for a few characters from the book. On the front side, draw the character. On the back side, make a list of their character traits and include a quote or two.

29. Book Report Booklets

This clever book report is made from ordinary paper bags. Stack the paper bags on top of each other, fold them in half, and staple the closed-off ends of the bags together. Students can write, draw, and decorate on the paper bag pages. They can also record information on writing or drawing paper and glue the paper onto the pages. The open ends of the bags can be used as pockets to insert photos, cut-outs, postcards, or other flat items that help them tell their story.

30. Letter to the Author

Write a letter to the author of the book. Tell them three things you really liked about the story. Ask three questions about the plot, characters, or anything else you’re curious about.

31. Book Report Charm Bracelet

What a “charming” way to write a book report! Each illustrated bracelet charm captures a character, an event in the plot, setting, or other detail.

32. Fact Sheet

Have students create a list of 10 facts that they learned from reading the book. Have them write the facts in complete sentences, and be sure that each fact is something that they didn’t know before they read the book.

33. Cereal Box TV Book Report

This book report project is a low-tech version of a television made from a cereal box and two paper towel rolls. Students create the viewing screen cut-out at the top, then insert a scroll of paper with writing and illustrations inside the box. When the cardboard roll is rotated, the story unfolds.

34. Be a Character Therapist

Therapists work to uncover their clients’ fears based on their words and actions. When we read books, we must learn to use a character’s actions and dialogue to infer their fears. Many plots revolve around a character’s fear and the work it takes to overcome that fear. Ask students to identify a character’s fear and find 8 to 10 scenes that prove this fear exists. Then have them write about ways the character overcame the fear (or didn’t) in the story. What might the character have done differently?

35. Mind Maps

Mind maps can be a great way to synthesize what students have learned from reading a book. Plus, there are so many ways to approach them. Begin by writing a central idea in the middle of the page. For example, general information, characters, plot, etc. Then branch out from the center with ideas, thoughts, and connections to material from the book.

36. Foldables

From Rainbows Within Reach , this clever idea would be a great introduction to writing book reports. Adapt the flap categories for students at different levels. Adjust the number of categories (or flaps) per the needs of your students.

37. Board games

This is a great project if you want your students to develop a little more insight into what they’re reading. Have them think about the elements of their favorite board games and how they can be adapted to fit this assignment. For more, here are step-by-step directions .

38. Comic strips

If you’re looking for creative book report ideas for students who like graphic novels, try comic strips. Include an illustrated cover with the title and author. The pages of the book should retell the story using dialogue and descriptions of the setting and characters. Of course, no comic book would be complete without copious illustrations and thought bubbles.

39. Timeline

Create a timeline using a long roll of butcher paper, a poster board, or index cards taped together. For each event on the timeline, write a brief description of what happens. Add pictures, clip art, word art, and symbols to make the timeline more lively and colorful.

40. Cereal Box

Recycle a cereal box and create a book report Wheaties-style. Decorate all sides of the box with information about the book’s characters, setting, plot, summary, etc.

41. Wanted Poster

Make a “wanted” poster for one of the book’s main characters. Indicate whether they are wanted dead or alive. Include a picture of the character and a description of what the character is “wanted” for, three examples of the character showing this trait, and a detailed account of where the character was last seen.

42. Movie Version

If the book your students have read has been made into a movie, have them write a report about how the versions are alike and different. If the book has not been made into a movie, have them write a report telling how they would make it into a movie, using specific details from the book.

What creative book report ideas did we miss? Come share in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the most popular kids’ books in every grade..

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Book Report Lapbook

Are you looking for a project that goes beyond the traditional book report? You can encourage your students to read more, to think critically and to think creatively with this literature lapbook. This literature lapbook was designed to use with any chapter book. You can use it to introduce or review various story elements. 

Each mini-book in this Literature Lapbook includes instructions for folding, and some pages include mini-lessons for the story elements.

These lapbook pieces and mini-books are included:

• Cover Piece
• About the Book
• About the Author Layer Book
• Setting House Shape Book
• Conflict Mini-book
• Favorite and Least Favorite Characters Shutterfold Book
• Cast of Characters Mini-book
• Plot Diagram Pocket
• Theme Simple Fold Book 
• Genre Flap Book

The lapbook comes in two versions: black and white and color. Choose the pages you want before you print.

I hope you and your students enjoy this project. Happy Reading!

This product is a digital PDF file. 

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Book Report LapBook

Subject: English

Age range: 8 - 12

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

8 June 2018

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This pencil shaped lapbook works with any fiction book! Prepare to be amazed with how engaged your students become.

What are lapbooks?

A lapbook is a file folder that is refolded a certain way. Inside, learners glue in notes or foldables on a particular topic.

What is included in this book report lapbook?

• Pencil printables • Who am I expandable • Character portraits (matchbook foldable) • My Rating writing prompt • Vocabulary mini folders • Graphic Organizer: Summarize the Story • Write a new ending • Organizing the Story pencil expandable • Elements of Fiction Card Holder with cards (plot, setting, theme, conflict)

What are benefits of lapbooks?

• Motivation for reluctant learners • Easily stored projects • Creative outlet • High subject matter retention • Review tool for students • Alternate assessment tool for teachers

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Book Report Lapbook Project

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Description

Banish boring book reports! This fun lapbook resource will create a book report project for ANY fictional novel - use for independent reading projects, literature circles, or whole class novel studies.

This resource contains all the instructions and handouts needed to complete the lapbook shown in the picture. It also includes a rubric for assessment. I have also included a bulletin board display idea with pictures of the display we created in our classroom.

Satisfies the Common Core Standards for Literature, as well as many other curriculums.

Students will:

- draw an illustration of the book cover

- draw the main character and describe the journey the main character takes throughout the novel

- discuss the time and place of the setting

- infer the character's likes

- examine the problem and resolution

- write a summary of the story

- make connections

- study vocabulary words

- reflect on the novel through a review

- reflect on their own learning

See the nonfiction companion to this lapbook by clicking HERE.

************************************************************************************************************

This resource (and four other fun book report resources) are included in my Book Report Bundle which you can view by clicking HERE.

*** This resource is also included in my HUGE 4th - 6th Grade Essentials Bundle containing 20 of my best classroom resources.

***********************************************************************************************************

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iRubric: LapBook Book Report rubric

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10 Book Report Ideas That Kids Will Love

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Fun book report ideas for fourth, fifth and sixth graders.

Book reports don’t need to be painfully boring. In fact, they can be a ton of fun, and with the right project, students will love the entire process of creating and sharing meaningful book projects. There are loads of great book report ideas out there just waiting to happen in your classroom!

Here are 10 book report ideas that kids will love:

1. cereal box book report.

These oh-so-cool reports were always the top-ranked project by my fifth graders. Students loved creating an original book report display using a covered cereal box and ready-made templates. The finished projects made a great classroom display, and students loved looking at their classmates’ creative reports. Read more about Cereal Box Book Reports HERE .

2. Paper Bag Book Report

This is a super simple idea that is quite fun for students. Provide each student with a lunch-sized paper bag. Tell them to think about 5 objects that relate to the main character of their book . The objects have to be small enough to fit into the bag . Send the bags home and have students place the 5 objects in the bag and bring them back to school. On the day they are due, have students take turns sharing the objects in their bags and explaining how they relate to the main character of the book. You can even make a great display with the bags, objects, and books to pique the interest of other students.

3. Character Day

Have students dress up as the main character of their book. Then, have each student take a turn standing in front of the class and telling their character’s story in first person point of view.

4. Book Report Lap Book

you need are two file folders, some cardstock or construction paper, scissors, glue, and the FREE book report template found here . The finished products are quite amazing, and your students will probably keep theirs forever! Check out my photo tutorial for making a lap book .

5. Book Scene Diorama

Have students construct a diorama of one of the main events of their book. They will make a 3-dimensional scene, including models of characters, the setting, and objects. A shoebox makes a great place to build a diorama. Require students to write a description of the scene.

6. Book Report Posters

This might be the easiest option of the book report ideas. Have students first sketch their posters on a sheet of notebook paper. Then, provide students with a large piece of poster paper or chart paper. Posters must identify main characters, setting, title, problem, and solution. Display finished posters in the classroom or on hallway walls.

7. Book Report Mobiles

Mobiles are easy to make, and it’s fun to watch students use their creativity in designing their own projects. A paper plate folded in half makes a great base/topper for mobiles. Have students write the title of the book on this paper plate semi circle and hang the mobile pieces from it. Provide students with construction paper, yarn, markers, paper hole punches, and any other materials they might need.

8. Book Report Mini Books

With just one piece of paper, your students can make a complete, creative book report!

In these clever book projects , students identify:

• Title/Author
• Main Character

No tape, glue, or staples required! Photo directions are included in this download.

9. Design a Book Jacket

Show your students several examples of some outstanding book jackets. Point out the front with the title and illustration, the spine and its information, and the back with the book summary. Also show the two inside flaps with information about the author and a smaller summary. Provide them each with a larger piece of paper and have them design a jacket for the book they have just read.

10. Ready-to-Print Templates

Use NO PREP book report templates to save your sanity AND to keep things fun for your students. You could print out all 12 templates in this Book Report Templates Packet and let students choose the one they want to do each month! There is even a really nice digital option for Google classroom included!

Regardless of which of these book report ideas you choose, be sure to clearly outline the expectations before your students begin. It’s best if you can model a project to demonstrate the quality of work your students should strive for.

Keep it fun and engaging, and your students will be excited to invest their time in their projects!

Check out these ready to go, easy to use book report projects in my store:

SAVE THIS POST FOR LATER!

Pin this to your favorite classroom Pinterest board  so you can come back for these book report ideas!

To recap, the 10 Book Report Project Ideas are:

• Cereal Box Book Report
• Paper Bag Book Report
• Character Day
• Book Report Lapbook
• Book Scene Diorama
• Book Report Posters
• Book Report Mobiles
• Design a Book Jacket
• Ready-to-Print Templates

Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

Hi, I'm Shelly

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Biography Lapbook

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Does your student want to study a famous person, but you can’t find a pre-made lapbook for that person? No problem! Just grab our Biography Lapbook and you can lapbook ANY person you want.

What’s Included in the Biography Lapbook?

The biography lapbook includes a variety of mini-books to help your student create a one of a kind project that he or she will be proud to display.

Your students will complete basic research and write the information they find in the mini-books in order to complete the lapbook.

• Cover Piece
• Life Events Timeline Accordion
• Famous Quote Matchbook
• Family T-book
• Portrait Easel (draw or paste a photo of the famous person to the easel)
• Name and Birthplace Clipboard
• A Famous Life Layer Book
• Fun Facts Tab Book
• Life Comparison Venn Diagram

This lapbook also includes some mini-books you can add if you are studying a certain type of person. You simply swap out the Venn Diagram mini-book for the occupation specific mini-books.

If your student has chosen an actor or actress , you can add these mini-books:

• Famous Shows Simple Fold Book
• My Favorite Show Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an artist , you can add these mini-books:

• Color Palette (What color palette does this artist frequently choose, or what is the color palette for your favorite work by this artist?)
• Famous Works Tri-fold

If your student has chosen a musician (composer or singer), you can add these mini-books:

• Famous Songs Simple Fold Book
• My Favorite Song Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an athlete , you can add these mini-books:

• Sports Played Simple Fold Book
• Records Set Simple Fold Book

If your student has chosen an inventor , you can add this mini-book:

• Inventions Shutterflap Book

If your student has chosen an author , you can add these mini-books:

• About the Books Flap Book
• Famous Works Book Shape

If your student has chosen a scientist , you can add these mini-books:

• Type of Scientist Simple Fold Book
• Discoveries Simple Fold Book

How to Get Started with the Biography Lapbook

Follow these simple instructions to get started with the Biography Lapbook:

• Find library books or reliable websites about the famous person to help your student complete the research necessary for the lapbook.
• Buy the Biography Lapbook from the Tip-Top Printables Shop.
• This lapbook comes in two options: black and white as well as full color. Determine which one you want to use and print it.
• Enjoy a week of learning all about a famous person and creating a biography lapbook!

Get Your Biography Lapbook Templates

Ditch the reports and grab this fun, interactive project instead.

You can snag your lapbook right here, or you can head to the shop to check out the details before you purchase.

More Lapbook Ideas

If you are new to lapbooks, check out our How to Make a Lapbook post. If you are looking for more ideas, try Lapbook Ideas .

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