DIY Solutions for Printing and Using Digital Children's Books
- Marcela Presecan
- Oct 9, 2024
- 6 min read
With the rise of digital products, more parents, teachers, and caregivers are turning to downloadable children’s books and activity books for convenience and variety. These digital products are not only budget-friendly but also provide instant access to engaging content for kids. But once you’ve bought a digital children’s book or activity book, how do you turn those files into something tangible that your child can enjoy?
In this post, we’ll walk you through some simple and cost-effective DIY solutions for printing and using digital children’s books and activity books at home.
Why Choose Digital Books and Activity Books?
Before diving into the DIY methods, let’s quickly highlight some of the benefits of digital books:
Instant Access – Once purchased, you can download and use them immediately.
Eco-Friendly – You print only what you need, reducing waste.
Cost-Effective – Digital versions are often more affordable than physical books.
Customizable – You can print only the pages you want, or reprint pages if a child makes a mistake in an activity.
Now that we understand why digital books are so handy, let’s move on to how you can easily print and use them!
1. Basic Home Printing Setup
The most straightforward way to turn your digital product into a physical one is through home printing. Here’s how you can do it:
What You’ll Need:
A home printer (inkjet or laser)
High-quality printer paper (standard or thicker for durability)
A PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat) to view the digital file
Scissors (optional)
A stapler or hole punch with binder rings (for binding)
Steps:
Open the file using your PDF reader to view the digital book or activity pages.
Select the pages you want to print. If it’s an activity book, you might want to print only a few pages at a time for daily or weekly activities.
Adjust printer settings to fit the layout. For children’s books, print in color if possible, and for activity books, black-and-white is usually sufficient.
Print on high-quality paper for durability, especially if it’s something kids will handle often.
Cut and bind (optional): If you’re printing a booklet, consider trimming the edges and using a stapler or binder rings to keep the pages together.
Pro Tip: If your child will be using crayons or markers, consider printing activity pages on slightly thicker paper (like cardstock) to prevent bleed-through.
2. Lamination for Reusable Activities
If you want to reuse certain pages—like puzzles, mazes, or drawing prompts—laminating them can turn them into long-lasting activities.
What You’ll Need:
A home laminator (affordable and widely available)
Laminating pouches (available in various sizes)
Dry-erase markers
Steps:
Print the activity pages you want to make reusable.
Insert the page into a laminating pouch and run it through your laminator.
Use dry-erase markers so your child can complete the activity and wipe it clean to start again.
Pro Tip: You can also use adhesive-backed lamination sheets if you don’t have a laminator. These are easy to apply and don’t require heat.
3. Binding Methods for DIY Books
Once you’ve printed your digital children’s book or activity book, you’ll want to bind the pages together for easy use. Here are a few simple binding options:
Option 1: Stapling
If your book is short (around 10-15 pages), you can staple the pages along the spine. Use a long-arm stapler to reach the middle if it’s booklet-style.
Option 2: Hole Punch and Binder Rings
For thicker books or activity collections, use a three-hole punch and thread binder rings through the holes. This makes it easy to add or remove pages as needed.
Option 3: DIY Spiral Binding
You can take your printed pages to a local office supply store and have them professionally spiral-bound. This gives your DIY book a polished, professional look and is great for larger books.
4. Creating a Digital Library on Your Device
If you prefer not to print, you can still use your digital children's books and activity books directly on a tablet or e-reader.
What You’ll Need:
A tablet or e-reader (like an iPad, Kindle, or similar device)
A stylus (optional for interactive features)
A PDF or eBook reader app (like Adobe Acrobat or Apple Books)
Steps:
Download and save the file to your device.
Use a PDF reader app to open and navigate through the book or activity pages.
Use a stylus (optional) if your child wants to draw or interact with the activity pages digitally.
This method is eco-friendly and perfect for families who want to avoid printing, while still enjoying the convenience of digital content.
5. Using Apps to Enhance Digital Products
Some digital activity books come with QR codes or companion apps that provide extra content or interactive features. Be sure to check whether your product includes any digital extras and take advantage of them!
What do we do when we have no printer at home?
While having a home printer is convenient for turning your digital children’s books and activity books into physical copies, it’s not the only option. Fortunately, there are several affordable alternatives for printing and using digital products when you don’t have a printer at home. Let’s explore these options so you can still make the most of your digital downloads.
1. Local Print Shops or Copy Centers
One of the simplest solutions for printing digital books and activity books is to take your files to a local print shop or copy center. Many office supply stores, such as Staples, FedEx, or UPS, offer printing services. Here’s how you can make the most of these options:
What You’ll Need:
A USB drive or email with your digital file (in PDF format).
Your print shop of choice.
Steps:
Save your digital book or activity book on a USB drive or email it to the print shop’s online service.
Visit the print shop, or upload your file through their online portal if they offer one. Most print shops allow you to choose paper quality and whether you want color or black-and-white printing.
Choose your options (paper type, binding options, etc.). Print shops often have various binding services like spiral binding or stapling for booklets.
Pick up or receive your printed copies.
Pro Tip: Some copy centers allow you to upload files online, so you can conveniently pick up your printed books without having to wait in-store.
2. Online Printing Services
If you prefer not to leave home, online printing services like Vistaprint, Shutterfly, or Mixbook are excellent alternatives. These services allow you to upload your files, customize them, and have the printed materials shipped directly to your door.
What You’ll Need:
A digital copy of your children’s book or activity book.
Access to an online printing platform (such as Vistaprint, Shutterfly, or Printique).
Steps:
Upload the digital file of your book or activity pages to the printing service’s website.
Customize your order: Choose whether you want single pages, double-sided prints, color, black-and-white, or other specifications. You can also select high-quality paper for a more durable feel.
Place your order, and the service will deliver the printed materials directly to your home.
Pro Tip: Look out for discounts and promotions on online printing services, as they often offer deals on bulk orders or special occasions.
3. Local Libraries Offering Printing Services
Many public libraries offer printing services to patrons for a minimal fee. It’s an affordable and community-based option for those without a printer at home.
What You’ll Need:
A library card (depending on your local library’s rules).
A USB drive with your digital file or access to email to send the file to the library’s printer.
Steps:
Visit your local library with your USB drive or email the file to the library’s print service (if they offer this option).
Ask about printing costs and available options (such as color printing or larger paper sizes).
Pay and collect your prints. Libraries typically offer black-and-white printing as the standard, but many offer color options as well.
Pro Tip: If you’re printing only a few pages, libraries tend to be one of the most budget-friendly solutions.
Conclusion
Printing and using digital children’s books and activity books at home is easy, affordable, and offers tons of creative possibilities. Even if you don’t have a printer at home, there are plenty of affordable and convenient options for turning your digital children’s books and activity books into physical copies. Whether you choose to use a local print shop, library, or online printing service, you can bring your digital downloads to life with minimal hassle.
So, the next time you purchase a downloadable children’s book or activity book, consider these tips to turn it into a fun, interactive experience that your child will love!
What are your favorite DIY tips for using digital children’s books and activity books? Let us know in the comments below!
Comments