Recycled Cookie Box Journal or Notebook

Turn an empty Girl Scout cookie box into a one-of-a-kind journal or notebook! This clever recycled craft uses the colorful cookie box as the cover and a single sheet of paper folded into pages—no staples or sewing required. Girls can use their finished booklets for journaling, drawing, writing skits, recording troop memories, or keeping notes. It’s a fun way to combine creativity with recycling while making something girls can actually use.

Supplies:

☐ Empty Cookie Box
☐ Glue Stick
☐ Scissors
☐ 1 Sheet of Paper: We used an 11 x 17 sheet of paper for the lemon cookie box.

Instructions:

Fold paper in half lengthwise. Crease. Open back up

2.
Fold in half in the other direction.

3.
Fold back one quarter of the sheet as shown in the illustration at right.

4.
Fold back the last quarter. Crease all folds well.

5.
Open the last two folds and cut along the center fold till you reach the halfway point cutting though both halves.

6.
Open the paper up completely.

7.
Fold the sheet in half lengthwise.

8.
Holding both ends, push together, letting the middle open up.

9.
Let the middle flatten out to form two more pages.

10.
Bring the last page around to make a little booklet and crease all folds well.

11.
Open up a cookie box. Fold it so the box front will be the cover. Cut off the flaps. Trim to the size of your booklet. Glue the first and last page to the cardboard cover.

💡 Pro-Tip: An 11″ x 17″ piece of paper will make a 4.25″ x 5.5″ booklet. If you only have letter-sized copy paper, you can make cute little 2.75″ x 4.25″ booklets.

⭐ Difficulty: Intermediate

⏱ Time: 30 minutes

💲 Cost: Under $1

👧 Ages: 10+

Why We Love This Craft

Recycles cookie boxes – Gives those colorful boxes a creative second life.
Very inexpensive – Uses an empty cookie box, a sheet of paper, and basic craft supplies.
No staples or sewing – Clever paper folding creates the booklet pages.
Teaches a new skill – Girls learn how a single sheet of paper can be cut and folded into a book.
Useful when finished – The completed project can become a journal, sketchbook, notebook, or troop memory book.
Encourages creativity – Girls decide how to decorate and use their individual journals.
Great for older girls – The folding and cutting make this a more interesting challenge for girls who have outgrown very simple crafts.
Perfect after cookie season – Save a few empty boxes and turn them into a fun troop activity instead of throwing them away.