Mandala Notebook

Two notebooks with decorated colours laying on a desk next to a box of felt tip pens

Head back to school in style with your own unique handmade notebook! Make notes at school or use as a diary or sketch book, you can keep it in your bag and take it with you anywhere.

Creating colourful mandalas is a simple and effective activity which allows you to relax and be mindful, a perfect way to enjoy the rest of the summer holidays before school starts!

Activity created for Maped Helix by Allo Maman Dodo

You will need

Compass
Pencil
Scissors
Colouring pencils
Felt tip pens
Needle and thread

Steps

Step 1

Create your mandala pattern by creating rosettes with the compass. First draw a circle, then draw several semicircles inside, each time placing the point on an intersection to create the petals. Circle around to create overlapping rosettes.

A hand holding a compass drawing a pattern on a white piece of paper

Step 2

Now add some detail to your design by drawing freehand. You could add zig-zags, waves, spots or anything else you like. The more details there are, the better the mandala will be!

A hand drawn pattern on a white piece of paper

Step 3

Decide on a colour scheme and choose 6 to 8 coloured pencils or felt pens to complete your design.

Step 4

Start colouring in the mandalas until there is no more white space! This will be the cover of your notebook.

A decorated sheet laying next to colouring pencils

Step 5

Fold your mandala design in half, along with some plain white A4 paper.

A decorated sheet with notebook pages next to a needle and thread

Step 6

Ask an adult to help you with this step or to do it for you. With a large needle, poke a few holes down the centre of the paper, then use the needle and thread to sew in and out through the holes to connect the sheets together. Finish with a knot to hold everything in place.