How much skill does this take?
No special crafting experience needed, but budget some patience — folding pockets and envelopes is a little fiddly the first time through. Once you’ve made one, the rest go faster.
How long does it take to make?
Depends what you count. Printing and folding the core booklet is quick — page to page it moves along fine. What actually takes time is cutting out all the ephemera and folding every pocket and envelope — that part alone can run a few hours if you sit down and do it all at once. Good news: nothing says you have to. Cut out pieces as you need them over days or weeks, rather than assembling the whole thing in one sitting. And if you want to take it further — more on that below — there’s no ceiling on how long you could spend.
What does it cost to print?
Expect somewhere around $20–$30 per pack at a copy shop, printed full color on cardstock. Costs vary by print shop and page count — check our printing guide for paper specs and where to go.
Can I reprint it, or reuse it for another kid?
Reprint freely. You’re buying the PDF, not a limited physical kit — print as many copies as you want, for as many kids as you want. Made a mistake cutting something out? Just reprint that one page. No harm done.
What age is this for?
Wider than you’d think — roughly age 6 through adult. Younger kids get the most out of it with an older sibling or parent helping; older kids and adults can work through it solo, and plenty of adults enjoy it the same way they’d enjoy any junk journaling hobby.
Can I make it look really old and special, not just paper?
Absolutely — and some of our favorite finished journals lean into this. Ink the edges of pages with a stamp pad for a worn, antique look. Brew tea or coffee and dab or soak paper before drying it for texture and age — great for handwritten notes that feel like they’ve traveled through time. Go further still by rebinding it into a refurbished hardcover, or covering it in leather, so it becomes a real book rather than a folded booklet. Fill it with real collected specimens tucked into the pockets, and first-hand accounts: entries about making an atlatl, growing a garden, or cooking and eating a replicated period meal (imagine writing up the experience of a dish inspired by Ancestral Puebloan foodways). None of this is required, but if you want a truly showpiece journal, this is where the extra time goes.
Do I need a printer at home?
No — most people don’t use their own printer for this. A local library print counter, FedEx/UPS Store, Staples, or Office Max can all print full color on cardstock. Full details in the printing guide.