Make-a-Comic Book Kit
Turn reluctant writers into comic book creators!
At a glance
Create for ages: 6 to 12
Best for: young writers who would rather draw first
Include: five blank comic books, drawing pencils, colored pens, sticker thought bubbles, stampers, stencils, directions, problem-solving cards, character guides, and more!
Great for: birthday gifts, travel, quiet time, classroom centers and as one box in a series of DIY subscription boxes
Complete this kit with a book
Add a comic book or graphic novel to this kit to help inspire kids in their drawing and writing. Here are a few ideas of fun graphic novels:
- Learn to Draw Faces (Easy Step-by-Step Drawing Guide) by Peter Pauper Press, Inc.
- Cranky Chicken by Catherine Battersby – a fun graphic novel for young readers
- Elsewhere in Odyssey by Evan David – compiled comics from Adventures in Odyssey
- The Action Bible by Sergio Cariello – a graphic retelling of real Bible stories
FREE DIRECTIONS for the MAKE-A-COMIC BOOK KIT
If you have a children who loves to draw and are just beginning to create stories, create a Make-a-Comic-Book Kit for them. This kit worked especially well for my grandkids who enjoy drawing. They loved being able to make characters, add action words, and fill page after page with their own ideas.What I liked most about this kit was that it is open-ended without being complicated to put together. It gave them something fun to open, but it also gave them a real project to enjoy day after day.
Here is how I made it.
I used a box that was 9.5” x 12” x 2”. This size worked well because it kept everything flat and neat. It also fit easily inside a larger USPS Priority Mail box, which made it easy to ship.
I printed the covers on thicker paper so they would feel more like real books. My favorite paper for this was Neenah vellum bristol, 67 lb, 94 brightness. It gave the covers a richer feel. For the inside comic pages, I used regular copy paper.
For this kit, I downloaded and printed Make-a-Comic Book Kit bundle that includes Comic Strip Templates and Covers, Create-A-Character Cards, and the Comic Problem-Solving Pack at TeachersPayTeachers.com. You can download this inexpensive set of templates here.
Print the following items:
From “Comic Strip Templates and Covers”
in the Make-a-Comic Book Kit bundle
1. Comic book covers
One of the fun parts of making this kit was choosing the covers that matched each grandkids’ interests. I printed five comic book covers for each grandchild’s kit. The covers were geared toward their individual interests. One liked horses and flowers, while another liked cars and sports. I printed the comic book covers on thicker paper so they would feel more like real books. My favorite paper for this was Neenah vellum bristol, 67 lb, 94 brightness. It gave the covers a richer feel.
2. Blank comic book pages
I used copy paper (20#) for these. For each comic book cover, I printed eight individual sheets of different comic panel layouts. When I printed the pages double-sided, I printed two pages front and back (8 sheets). When I printed the pages single-sided, I printed four pages and cut them in half to make eight pages in a booklet. Using a mix of comic page layouts made the books feel a little more interesting and gave each kid a different ways to tell their stories.
3. Comic idea cards
Cut out all the comic idea cards and put them in the kit with a rubber band around them. Kids can get just enough visual direction to help them get started while still leaving plenty of room for their imaginations.
From “Create-A-Character Cards”
in the Make-a-Comic Book Kit bundle
1. Character guides
Print and cut the character guides into cards. Put a rubber band around them. Then kids can look at the many character guides to help them choose the exact right main character for their comic or story. If they want to choose minor characters for their stories, that’s fine too.
2. About My Character
I made a handful of the half-page, About Us sheets. (They come in full-page sheets too. The half-page seemed to work better.) After kids have chosen their main character, they can fill out this sheet for him or her. It helps them make choices and get to know their main character better.
3. Character Cards (optional)
If you feel your kids would enjoy the character cards, you can make copies of each of the four of them for kids to use to go deeper in understanding who their main character is. I used only for the grandkids who liked more forms to fill out.
From “Comic Problem-Solving Pack”
in the Make-a-Comic Book Kit bundle
1. Single-problem cards
Print each card on heavier paper. Then cut them. Wrap a rubber band around these cards. To use the cards, kids can draw one card and add that problem to their comic or story. This worked best with my early elementary grandkids.
2. Complex-problem cards
I printed and cut out the complex-problem cards on heavier paper for my older grandkids. Then I wrapped a rubber band around these cards too. To use the cards, kids can draw one card from the stack. After reading all the problems, they can choose the one for their comic or story.
To assemble the comic books, I placed the pages (that were printed on both sides) inside the cover, or the pages (printed on only one side) in a stack between the cover and back page. Then I stapled them along the left side.
I made five comic books for each kit. I really liked doing it this way because it gave the kids more than one chance to create. They did not have to worry about making their very best story on the first try. They could experiment, start over, and make something new whenever inspiration hit.
I also printed a couple of additional covers and blank comic pages for them to put in the bottom of the kit. Then they could try to make these comic books on their own.
This part can be as simple or as full as you want it to be. What you include will depend on your budget and on what the child in your life would enjoy most.
Here are some ideas of what to include:
- drawing pencils
- a large eraser
- different-colored pens
- stickers of thought bubbles
- stickers with words like “POW!” or “COOL!”
- stampers of what the child likes
- stencils of what the child likes and speech bubbles
- a drawing book
- colored pencils
- a pencil sharpener
- a stapler
- a black marker for outlining
- a ruler
- Washi tape
You can also add anything else you know your child would like. These extras make the kit more fun.
One of the nice things about this kit is that it does not need a lot of explanation. Here are a few that you can include:
A. Supply list
You can simply list what is inside the kit. To help, a list and a blank list has been included in the Make-a-Comic Book Kit download. The list helps kids see what’s in the box with a single glance. Attach the list to the inside cover of place on top of all the supplies.
B. Directions
Add your own directions for what kids can do or include the ones in the Make-a-Comic Book Kit download. If your kit opens from the top, attach the list of easy steps for writing a comic book there. Also, attach the list that explains the different ways kids can use speech bubbles found in the download. If your box opens in a different way, place these two directions on top of the supplies.
Attach a sign that says “Comic Book Kit” to the top of the box. I used the one in the Make-A-Comic Book Kit, but you can make one yourself, also.
When I packed the box, I put the drawing book at the bottom first. Then I placed extra pages of blank panel templates and a couple of extra covers. In this way, kids can make their own comic books when they’re done with the ones they have. Then I placed the five blank comic books on one side and set the drawing pencils and colored pencils on top. After that, I tossed in all the extras. I set the rubber-banded sets of cards on top of the supplies. And finally came the list of supplies.
I liked packing it this way because it made the kit feel full and was ready for the kids to explore the moment it was opened.
BONUS
This kit can be adjusted easily depending on your budget.
- If you are giving the kit in person, you could use a box you already have on hand. The main goal is just to have something roomy enough to hold the comic books, which is the size of a half sheet of 8.5” x 11” paper without bending the pages.
- If you want to keep things simple, you can just include the comic books, pencils, and colored pencils. You could also use supplies you already have at home. A stapler, pencil sharpener, or eraser from around the house can work just fine.
- You can make your own cardboard stencils for kids.
The heart of the kit is really the chance to create. Even with just a few supplies, it can still feel like a very special gift.
What I loved about this kit was that it fit so many kinds of kids. It worked for kids who love drawing, kids who are beginning to write stories, and kids who just enjoy making something all their own. It gave them a fun activity, but it also gave them a place to use their imagination.
There is something really sweet about a child opening a box and realizing they get to become the author, illustrator, and creator of their very own comic book.
If you are looking for a creative gift that encourages drawing, storytelling, and independent fun, a Make-A-Comic Book Kit is a wonderful option. It is simple to put together, easy to customize, and full of possibilities for the child who opens it.