Glue Sticks Over Gadgets - Colour, Chaos, and Creativity

Glue Sticks Over Gadgets - Colour, Chaos, and Creativity.

In a world where screens seem to have taken over every spare minute of our children’s day, it’s more important than ever to offer our young ones  tactile, hands-on creative activities that nourish their brains, bodies, and imaginations. Enter scrapbooking and junk journaling—a fun, inexpensive, and deeply rewarding way for toddlers through primary school kids to learn, create, and connect.

Why Scrapbooking & Junk Journaling?

Plenty of startling research shows the effects devices have on our kids as their brains grow and change.  Kids today are growing up in a world dominated by screens. According to a 2023 Common Sense Media report, the average American child spends over 7 hours per day interacting with screens — from phones and tablets to TVs and gaming consoles. Even more striking, research from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that children as young as 18 months are regularly exposed to digital media, and screen time often begins in infancy.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no screen time for children under 2 years, and limits for older toddlers and preschoolers — but these guidelines are increasingly hard to follow in everyday life.

While screens can be educational and entertaining, excessive use ( even dare we say limited use)  may negatively impact attention spans, sleep quality, social skills, and physical activity. That’s where tactile, creative activities like scrapbooking and junk journaling come in as healthy, engaging alternatives that develop important skills while offering a break from screens.

Scrapbooking and junk journaling encourage:

• Fine motor skill development: Cutting, gluing, folding, and arranging help little hands grow dexterous and precise.

• Sensory engagement: Feeling different textures, exploring colours, and playing with shapes sparks multisensory learning.

• Creativity and storytelling: Kids learn to tell their stories visually, boosting language and cognitive skills without needing a single keyboard.

• Emotional expression: Journals become safe spaces for kids to express feelings, fears, and dreams in a way words sometimes can’t.

• Focus and mindfulness: The repetitive, calming act of crafting helps reduce anxiety and improve concentration.

Research from the American Academy of Pediatricians highlights that tactile learning supports better memory retention and problem-solving skills— skills that screen swiping can’t quite match. Ever. 

Benefits for Parents and Caregivers

Crafting with kids isn’t just about the kids. For grown-ups, it’s a chance to:

• Connect in a calm, screen-free space.

• Encourage communication through shared creativity.

• Model patience and problem-solving skills.

• Save money with low-cost supplies.

It’s quality time that enriches everyone.

Scrapbooking & Junk Journaling on a Budget

You don’t need to raid the craft store to get started. Household items make perfect supplies:

• Cardboard rolls: Cut and decorate for mini book spines or peek-a-boo frames.

• Cereal boxes: Turn into sturdy covers or colourful collage bits.

• Magazine clippings & flyers: Perfect for pictures and textures.

• Fabric scraps: Add softness and pattern.

• Buttons, ribbons, stickers: Easy to collect and store.

• Lil Bit Different  kids packs: We know every parent or caregiver is time poor!

By reusing and recycling, you’re also teaching kids about sustainability—one of the best lessons of all.

Our Kids Packs: Are A Lil Bit Different. 

If you want to make crafting even easier, our  subscription packs  are coming soon delivering  a carefully curated mix of vintage and new stickers, papers, and ephemera straight to your door. Each pack is designed to inspire creativity without overwhelming choices—because sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to kids.

Whether you’re crafting with your toddler or encouraging your 10-year-old to keep a visual diary, our packs are a fun, affordable way to fuel their artistic adventures.

Ready to Swap Screens for Scraps?

Encourage your kids’ creativity, give them a break from screens, and enjoy some messy, magical moments together. Because sometimes, the best memories are made with glue sticks and a bit of imagination. Its a new toy every day!