What is a Lapbook?

I really like lapbooks and file folder games. I have a LOT of them!

They are really easy to make also!

Please check back often! I was given permission to copy and share a lot of lapbook / file folder games by someone who wants to remain anonymous. I have added more lesson files because I love lapbooks! These will be added every Wednesday in 2026, and on Mondays in 2027. They will be added randomly in 2024 and 2025. I have also created a lot of file folder games (mostly for preschool) that teach colors, shapes, etc. that can be used with Bible lessons, and these will be added the next couple of years. These are especially fun keep handy to use for early arrivers, but there are so many uses for these!

I use Microsoft Word, and I usually use the shapes that are on the Insert Toolbar. (But, I have just purchased a set of templates from the Candy Class on TPT, so the new printables will have new patterns!) For Bible class, I prefer to have them cut and glued, ready to use at the end of the lesson for a review. And, I usually use it for the whole subject period. But, I did have several lapbooks that we used for just one lesson, like the 10 Commandments & The Tabernacle you see below.

 

But, for homeschooling, etc., most people like to have the student put them together. That is one of the great things about these. You can pick what works best for you and you can lay them out, add or subtract parts for your own needs. Lapbooks and file folder games can overlap. But, I think that lapbooks are used more to add information as you are studying a specific concept or subject. Even though both usually use a file folder to hold the contents, lapbooks are usually folded different and can have more pages added to them.

File folder games might be an obvious game, or be a type of learning tool that has match-up cards or put-it-in-order, etc. that can be used like a game. I love these because all I have to say is "Let's play a game!" and it's all about learning, and the kids do not even realize it! And, they can be used over and over!

Here is a question someone asked and I thought it might help someone else:

... when I cut and fold and glue in each little question section, do I write the answer to the question inside?....

Answer: Think of each question as a lift-the-flap. When I am teaching and using these as a review, I ask the question, then the students lift the top, which is the question, and write the answer inside. It is just more fun, and with the answers inside, it can be kept and used for review again. Almost every lapbook printable is created to be used like this. If the design doesn't permit this, then it is usually written on the back. As always, there might be something a little different, but that is the basic way to use them.

This is the links for the lapbooks I have available. I wanted to add a button on the sidebar to make it easier to find the lapbooks, since I plan to add a lot more over time, so I needed to have this post for the link! A file folders game link will be added next week! I will add more links as I add the posts.

Old Testament

Genesis

Days of Creation (Being updated)

The Old Testament Judges

The Judges

Updated with color and black & white

Moses & the 10 Commandments

The Tabernacle: Worship in the Wilderness

 Elijah and Elisha

New Testament

Life of Jesus

Click here to see the Disciples of Jesus lapbook & more.

The Beatitudes is here

The Beatitudes is here

(Some of the) Miracles of Jesus

with Step-by-Step Directions for Lapbook Assembly

(Some of the) Parables of Jesus

Life of Paul

If you look at the above Life of Paul lapbook, you will see how to fold the file folder for a lapbook, and different ways I added cardstock to make more room for information.

This is how I store just about everything! All my lapbook and file folder games, lessons I am working on for the quarter, preschool stuff I am doing at home, even a lot of my Bible class visuals and craft supplies. We totally emptied out the teacher's supply room at our church building in Ohio. We painted, added new carpet and built counters and storage just for that room. I stored everything on open shelves in the 3 different sizes of these that are available and labeled everything. Everyone could find what they were looking for fast and I could see what needed restocked easily. And, they can be shifted around as supplies are changed. I use the 20 QT. size for the files, lapbooks, FFG. (Sterilite # 1844 [16 7/8 x 11 1/2 x 9 1/4]) and I usually find them cheapest at Wal Mart.

Here is my Pinterest board for lapbooks, etc..