Make magnetic bookmarks for a year of reading

Kids love to read and be read to about things that capture their interests. Football, basketball, rain forests, bats, princesses and pirates are all attention-grabbers, and there are many kinds of books on these popular subjects in the public library — fiction and nonfiction.

But relishing a triceratops doesn’t have to stop with the book itself. Designing individualized, colorful, themed bookmarks that hold the page with magnetic strips can be great fun for kids of all ages. It’s an inspiring “after library” activity.

If spending more time reading is one of your family’s resolutions this year, plunge right into a favorite topic and make a bookmark. Don’t be surprised if reading brings your family hours of fun as you become real page-turners.

Here’s what you’ll need for each magnetic bookmark:

“Posterboard or large index cards cut into 2- 1/2 -by-6-inch strips

“Crayons and markers

“Photos, stickers or pictures cut from magazines (optional)

“Self-sticking magnet strips or business cards and commercial promotions that come in the form of a bendable refrigerator magnet. Sheet magnets may also be found at craft stores

“Scissors and glue

“Self-sticking laminating sheet (optional)

Let’s get started:

“Draw a line across the middle of the poster board or index card to create two 2 1/2 -by-3-inch sections. On each of the two sections, draw pictures that represent the theme of the book. Or, cut out pictures, photos, etc., and glue them in place.

“Fold the bookmark in half, using the centerline as a guide.

“Laminate the new bookmark, if you wish.

“Cut two 1/2 -inch-by-2 1/2 -inch magnet strips. Glue them to the underside along the edge of the two short ends of the bookmark.

“When it’s time to stop reading a story or chapter book, slide the bookmark over a page in the book. The magnets will hold the bookmark in place.

Extra tips: Bookmarks make unique gifts. Grandma and Grandpa would love to keep track of their growing grandchildren with bookmarks created with the kids’ school pictures glued to them.