Scribble Press: Fun Bookmaking Store for Kids

6/15/10 - By Stephanie Ogozalek

Sadly, Scribble Press closed its doors on Father's Day 2013. You can now enjoy bookmaking Scribble Press-style at the Upper West Side Make Meaning. Have you been to Scribble Press yet?  It is a brand spanking new drop in creative arts space that just opened on the Upper East Side. What makes Scribble Press so different from the many other drop in art places is that this is the only one in the city where kids can make a book from start to finish which is then professionally bound and printed on site.  The books are beautiful and would make a terrific gift for Father's Day. (My photo doesn't do the finished product any justice.)

The possibilities for creativity are endless at Scribble Press - read on to find out more:

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Book Making Is Simple and Fun
First kids choose from different sizes and page counts for their book. Little kids should probably go with an 8 page board book while older kids with a real story to tell may like the mini books with a lot of pages to write on.  They also decide whether to write the entire story themselves or use some of the pre-printed fill-in-the-blank templates.  Then they go to the wall of markers and fill up their caddy with color, pick a workspace on the communal table and get cracking. When the pages are done there are a few more decisions to be made, like the color for the cover, the author’s bio and if you would like a photo for the back cover.



My 5 year old, sometimes easily distracted, son took about 2 hours from start to finish for his 8 page book, but I noticed older kids finishing theirs a lot faster.  You then hand it all in and it goes to the production studio at the back of the store and 15 minutes later your child is presented with his very own book.  (Sometimes if the store is very busy or there is a party going on it can take a little longer to produce the book – so you are always free to pick it up at another time.)  Board books are $28 - $39.

                                                         

If they don't feel like writing
If your child likes to draw and isn’t so much into the story telling aspect they can work on placemats, note pads, calendars, book marks and greeting cards that can be printed up and taken home (and also make great gifts.) 
 
For an additional fee kids can join “Club Scribble” where instead of making a book on each visit they just drop in to draw, make collages or work on the weekly art project. Scribble Press will hold all the treasures in the shop and eventually make them into a treasury book to take home.


The Perfect Keepsake or Gift
The make-your-own books are the perfect gift for parents, grandparents or anyone who would oooh and aaaah over the masterpieces.


A Great Class Gift Idea
A minimally designed gallery book can be an affordable and thoughtful class gift for you favorite teacher.  Ask each child in class to write a letter or draw a picture for the teacher, bring it into the shop and they will print it up, one page per child, with a soft cover.  They start at $45 and take about 48 hours to produce. 




Camps, classes and more
While there, check out their creative summer camp offerings.  Creativity Camp for younger kids with art project and activities inspired by children’s literature including Mo Willems, Eric Carle and other favorites. Older kids can opt for Creative Writing summer camp. They also offer a unique birthday parties locale and enriching after school classes starting in the fall.

Scribble Press
1624 First Avenue
212-288-2928
Open: 10:00- 6:00 pm daily
 


Looking for more craft kid ideas? Check out these posts on the subject.

NYC Kids Crafts: 5 Paint Your Own Pottery Studios

10 FREE Kids Crafts Places in New York City