Create & Celebrate

Create Moments Worth Celebrating

Washi Tape Notebooks

Two elementary school girls smiling as they use their decorated washi tape pencils to write in blank notebooks at a classroom table. Bowls of colorful washi tape, tiny silicone loom bands, and printable labels are neatly organized in the foreground, with a "Design Your Own Pencil" sign and finished decorated pencils displayed in the background.

Getting ready for a new school year doesn’t have to mean buying expensive supplies. With just a few inexpensive craft materials, kids can transform ordinary notebooks into colorful school supplies they’ll be excited to use every day.

Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon craft, a classroom activity, a homeschool project, or a fun back-to-school party idea, decorating notebooks is an easy way to let kids express their creativity while making something practical.

The best part? Every notebook turns out completely unique.

Choose the version that works best for your group or mix and match ideas to create your own one-of-a-kind design.

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shop The List For All Variations

Simple
DIY
Party Pro

Washi Tape Notebooks

Supplies –Check these out–

  • Composition or spiral notebook
  • Washi tape (solid, patterned, or glitter)
  • Scissors

If you’re looking for an easy, inexpensive craft that kids of almost any age can enjoy, decorating notebooks with washi tape is the perfect place to start. There’s no drying time, no messy glue, and very little cleanup, making it ideal for classrooms, homeschool groups, libraries, or an afternoon craft at home.

Kids love mixing colors and patterns to create notebook covers that match their personalities. Whether they prefer bright rainbows, sports themes, florals, or classic black-and-white designs, every notebook becomes one of a kind.

Easy Notebook Decorating Ideas

Once you’ve gathered your supplies, choose one of these easy notebook designs or combine several ideas to create something completely original.

Border Design

A washi tape border is one of the easiest ways to transform a plain notebook. It creates a colorful frame around the cover while leaving plenty of room to add a name label or stickers later.

Step-by-step tutorial infographic showing how to decorate a kraft paper notebook with two coordinating washi tapes. The finished notebook features a wide pink polka dot washi tape border around the outside edge and a thinner pastel diagonal stripe washi tape border just inside it. The tutorial includes four steps: choosing two coordinating rolls of washi tape, applying the wider tape around the notebook edge, continuing around all four sides and trimming the ends with scissors, and adding the thinner inner border for extra color and dimension. A pro tip includes a close-up showing a fingertip pressing the tape firmly around a rounded corner for a smooth, long-lasting finish. The infographic is arranged on a clean white background with photos of the notebook, washi tape rolls, scissors, and close-up details.

Color Block Design

A color block notebook is a fun way to combine several favorite washi tape patterns into one bold design. Mixing coordinating colors and prints creates a custom notebook that’s bright, playful, and completely unique.

Step-by-step infographic titled "Simple: Washi Tape Notebooks – Color Block Design Tutorial." The layout shows a kraft-cover notebook with a purple spine decorated using colorful washi tape arranged in bold rectangular blocks. The finished design combines pink polka dots, a floral print, a wide purple horizontal strip, a yellow diagonal stripe pattern, and a pink geometric print. Four tutorial panels demonstrate the process: (1) plan the layout of the color blocks, (2) apply the first sections of washi tape, (3) fill in the remaining sections, and (4) smooth the tape and trim excess with scissors. Decorative rolls of coordinating pink, purple, floral, and yellow washi tape are placed around the notebook. A pro tip recommends using a ruler for straight lines and mixing bold colors with patterned tape for a balanced design.

Striped Design

Create evenly spaced horizontal, vertical, or diagonal stripes using different washi tapes. Alternating colors and patterns creates a clean, modern notebook that’s easy to personalize.

Corner Accent Design

Corner accents are a simple way to decorate a notebook without covering the entire cover. By layering small strips of coordinating washi tape in each corner, you can add a fun pop of color while leaving plenty of space for names, stickers, or doodles.

Personalized Letter Sticker Design

Give your notebook its own personality with colorful letter stickers! Whether you spell your name, your favorite subject, or an encouraging word, this simple project makes it easy to create a notebook that’s uniquely yours. Find these stickers here.

Personalization Ideas

  • Student name
  • Grade
  • Teacher’s name
  • School subject
  • Inspirational word
  • Favorite quote
  • Club or activity
  • Reading Journal
  • Homework Notebook

Pro Tip: Let kids decorate first and add stickers and labels last. This helps the lettering stay straight and keeps important information from being covered by washi tape.

Aesthetic Washi Sticker Notebook (Best for Teens)

If you’re looking for a notebook that’s stylish and unique, washi stickers are an easy way to create a custom design. These thin paper stickers have a soft, matte finish that blends beautifully into notebook covers, giving them a layered scrapbook-inspired look. They are available in a variety of themes from botanicals and vintage art to dreamy skies, travel, and inspirational quotes. They make it easy to create a notebook that reflects your personality. Pair them with coordinating washi tape to create a notebook that’s perfect for middle school, high school, and even college.

Shop our favorite washi sticker sets.

Five kraft notebooks decorated with coordinating washi tape and vintage-style washi stickers in different aesthetic themes including botanical plants, autumn, dreamy purple landscapes, travel, and floral café scenes. Each notebook features layered rectangular washi stickers and matching patterned tape, arranged on a white background with coordinating washi tape rolls and loose sticker cards for a creative back-to-school notebook decorating idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this activity best for?

Personalized notebooks and decorating bars work especially well for elementary-aged kids, tweens, and teens.

Will washi tape stay on all school year?

Yes! Washi tape sticks well to most notebook covers during everyday use. If an edge starts to lift after months of use, simply press it back down or replace that strip with a new design.

What notebooks are best for decorating?

Composition notebooks, spiral notebooks, and journals all work well. Smooth covers make it easier for washi tape and stickers to stick securely. Check out our list for some of our favorites!

Can teachers use this in the classroom?

Absolutely! Notebook decorating is a fun first-week-of-school activity, indoor recess project, open house station, or reward day craft. Students leave with personalized notebooks they’ll use all year.

Final Thoughts

Decorating notebooks is an easy way to turn everyday school supplies into something kids are genuinely excited to use. Whether you choose colorful washi tape, personalized stickers, or create an entire notebook decorating bar, this simple craft encourages creativity while making school supplies feel extra special.

Pair your notebook with our matching DIY Pencil Decorating Ideas for a coordinated school supply set that’s both fun and functional.

Happy creating!

One response to “Washi Tape Notebooks”

  1. Easy ABC Popcorn (Back-to-School Popcorn) – Create & Celebrate

    […] If you need another back-to-school idea, check out our DIY pencils and notebooks. […]

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment