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Topics: Second Grade, Writing, Father's Day
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This is one gift that kids can get really excited about, and it’s one that helps them work on fine motor skills, storytelling and handwriting without raising their suspicions that they are doing actual work. Making a comic book is so easy and fun, you’ll probably end up keeping a stack of these in your art closet.

What You Need:

  • Paper (plain white cardstock is great because it’s sturdy, but any plain paper will work fine)
  • Small hole punch
  • Needle and thread
  • Fine-point black marker


What You Do:
Start by drawing your comic book pages. Use small and large squares to create a comic book template that your kids can fill in with their own creations. (Depending on how old your childr is, you may want to add more or fewer visual cues, for example adding text bubbles to remind her to add conversation.) Use variety: You may want to make some small squares and leave some entire pages blank. You probably want no more than four or five pages, plus two blank pages (one for the front and one for the back covers).

Use your small hole punch to punch five evenly spaced holes along the left side of your “book.” Using your needle and thread, sew the book together with a doubled strand of thread, doubling your needle back between the two strands to secure it. Use a backstitch to sew up and down the spine. Run the needle again between the strands, cut the thread and tie the two strands of thread together to make a knot. Trim off the excess. Hand it off to your little artist.

Does your little storyteller need some help getting started? Offer this as a writing prompt: Imagine that your dad is a superhero. What super powers would he have? What would his superhero costume look like? What evil forces would he have to battle? Imagine that your dad is driving to work when suddenly one of the bad guys attacks! What happens next? Use pictures and word bubbles to tell the story of your dad's adventure — and don't forget the happy ending!

You can make a stack of these pretty easily, and your kids will fill them up quickly.