About This Video

In this art activity video, Kate and Nicole introduce participants to zines, which are small do-it-yourself magazines or booklets.

The video begins by explaining what a zine is and how zines have been used to share stories, ideas, information, art, and things people care about. Kate and Nicole show how a single piece of paper can become a small eight-page booklet that can be filled with words, pictures, collage, or a mix of different materials.

Participants then learn how to fold one piece of paper into a booklet. Kate and Nicole demonstrate the steps slowly, including folding the paper hamburger style, folding the sides into the center, folding hot dog style, making one careful cut with scissors, opening the paper, and folding it into a small book.

After the booklet is made, the video talks about choosing what the zine will be about. Participants are encouraged to brainstorm ideas before they begin, such as a day in the life, routines, a favorite food, a recipe, gardening, an adventure, or teaching someone how to do something.

This video gives participants a hands-on art activity focused on folding, cutting, planning, storytelling, sequencing, drawing, collage, creative expression, and sharing ideas.

Supplies Needed

• One piece of paper, any size

• Scissors

• Markers, pencils, colored pencils, or other drawing materials

• Optional: sketchbook or extra paper for planning ideas

• Optional: magazines, pictures, glue, or collage materials

Good For

• Adults with IDD who enjoy art, paper crafts, drawing, storytelling, folding, making books, or sharing personal interests.

• Caregivers looking for a guided art activity with clear steps, flexible creative options, and room for personal expression.

• Adult day programs, home routines, or group activities about art, zines, storytelling, sequencing, routines, self-expression, planning, and creative choice.

• Participants who benefit from visual modeling, step-by-step support, repeated demonstrations, brainstorming, and permission to use words, pictures, or both.

How to Use This Video

Use this video as a guided paper craft and storytelling activity for a home routine, day program, small group, or creative session.

Caregivers can help participants gather paper, scissors, and drawing or collage materials. The folding section can be paused often so participants have time to fold, open the paper, turn it, make the center cut, and fold the paper into a booklet.

Participants can make a zine about anything they care about. They might create a day-in-the-life story, a routine, a favorite food list, a recipe, a gardening guide, an adventure, a picture book, or a booklet that teaches someone how to do something.

This activity can be adjusted in many ways. Participants can use a larger piece of paper, make a smaller pocket-size zine, draw pictures, write words, use collage, ask someone to write down their ideas, or make the booklet first and add the story later.

Because this activity involves scissors, folding, sequencing, small pages, and creative planning, caregivers should provide support with setup, scissor safety, folding, pacing, page order, brainstorming, writing, cleanup, and any needed visual or hands-on assistance.

At the end, participants can read or show their zine to someone else, name what their zine is about, or make another booklet with a new topic.