How to Make a Zine With Kids
A Simple Mini Book Activity
Some kids will happily fill pages when it feels like their idea.
Zines are one of the simplest ways to make that happen.
They might include drawings, comics, facts about a favourite animal, a list of favourite songs, or even a guide to a favourite game.
Because zines are flexible and low-pressure, they’re a wonderful creative activity for kids. There’s no right way to make one. Pages can be messy, colourful, funny, thoughtful, or completely random.
All you need to start is one sheet of paper and a pencil!
Want to get started right away? Download Zine Zone for heaps of zine ideas for kids (for free!)
What Is a Zine?
A zine (short for “magazine”) is a small self-published booklet.
People make zines to share ideas, tell stories, or explore topics they care about. Some zines are filled with drawings and comics. Others contain lists, poems, collages, or little essays.
For kids, zines are a fantastic way to combine:
art
writing
storytelling
creativity
And because they’re small and informal, they often feel much less intimidating than a big writing assignment.
How to Fold a Simple One-Page Zine
You can make a mini zine from one sheet of paper.
Fold the paper in half.
Fold it in half again.
Fold it once more so you have eight panels.
Open the paper and cut a small slit in the centre fold.
Fold it into a booklet shape.
Now you have a tiny eight-page book ready to fill.
Tip: Kids often enjoy decorating the cover first. A title and a doodle can make the project feel instantly real.
If you’d prefer to watch some instructions, here’s a great 2 minute video by Austin Kleon.
What Kids Can Put in Their Zine
The best part of a zine is that it can be about anything that interests your child.
Here are a few ideas to get started:
Special interest guide: A mini book about dinosaurs, Minecraft, frogs, space, or any favourite topic.
Comic story: A short comic about something silly that happened during the day.
Top 5 list: Favourite foods, favourite animals, favourite games.
Nature journal: Draw and label plants, bugs, or birds spotted on a walk.
Playlist zine: A list of favourite songs with little drawings inspired by them.
“Day in my life” book: Small sketches or notes about daily moments.
The goal isn’t perfection, it’s exploration and expression.
If you’re looking for more inspiration for what to put in your zine, here are 10 creative zine ideas to try in your homeschool.
Why Kids Often Love Zines
Zines work well for many learners because they are:
small and manageable
creative and flexible
easy to personalise
Kids can mix drawing, writing, collage, lists, diagrams, or comics.
Many neurodivergent learners especially enjoy zines because they can:
focus on special interests
work in small steps
choose their own style of expression.
Want Help Getting Started?
If your learner enjoys this, Zine Zone takes the idea further with prompts, unusual ideas, and gentle structure to help them keep going.
It includes:
a huge list of unusual zine ideas
creative prompts to help fill each page
planning prompts for organising a zine
playful challenges to spark creativity
It’s designed to help kids create their own zine step-by-step while exploring their interests.
