Handmade Bookmarks
Design colorful, laminated bookmarks with tassels: a low-cost first business for kids who love books and drawing.
- Ages
- 7–12
- Startup budget
- $72–$172
- Time per week
- About 2 hours
- Parent involvement
- Light
- Preparation
- Easy start
- Type
- Product
- Where to sell
- In person
- Time to start
- One weekend
About this idea
Bookmarks are the perfect “first ever” business: very low startup cost, quick to make, and something almost every reader will happily buy.
They’re also a great canvas for practicing a personal style, from watercolor patterns to animal doodles to favorite quotes.
A great fit for
- Young readers and doodlers
- A first business with very little risk
- Kids who want quick results
What you’ll need
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Heavy cardstock (pack of 50 sheets) | $7 |
| Embroidery thread for tassels | $4 |
| Self-seal laminating sheetsNo machine needed | $6 |
| Subtotal | $17 |
Assumes: Enough for about 40 bookmarks. Assumes you already have markers, colored pencils or paints at home.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Market table feePer event. Kids’ markets typically charge $10–50; some are free | $25 |
| TableclothA bright color makes the table stand out | $10 |
| Display stand or risersGives products height so customers notice them | $15 |
| Sign and price cards | $5 |
| Pop-up tentOptionalOnly for outdoor markets without shade. Borrowing one works too | $100 |
| Subtotal (without optional) | $55 |
Bring about $20 in small bills and coins for change. You get it back, so it isn’t counted as a cost. Selling to family and friends first? You can skip these until your first market.
Total to start selling at a market
$72$172 with optional extras
What parents do
Parent involvement: LightMostly buying supplies and getting to markets
- Buy cardstock and laminating sheets
- Take them to a market or event
Your child: about 2 hours a week making, selling and planning once it’s up and running.
Step by step
Choose a theme
Pick a theme for your first set: animals, space, patterns or favorite book quotes. Themed sets look great displayed together.
Cut a template
Make one sturdy cardboard template (about 2 × 6 inches) and trace it so every bookmark is the same size.
Design and color
Make 10 in one theme. Design on both sides if you like, but remember that ink can smudge under lamination, so let it dry fully.
Laminate and add a tassel
Seal each bookmark, trim the edges with rounded corners, punch a hole and tie on a tassel.
Price and display
Stand them in a jar or small box on your table so customers can flip through.
Costs & pricing example
Cost to make one bookmark
$0.50
Example price
$3
Profit per bookmark
$2.50
How we worked out the cost of one bookmark
- Cardstock$0.10
- Laminating sheet$0.30
- Tassel thread$0.10
If your child sells 30 bookmarks at $3, that’s $90 in sales and about $75 profit after materials. The $72 startup cost, including a first market table, is earned back after about 29 bookmarks.
Bundles like “2 for $5” encourage customers to buy more than one.
These numbers are illustrative examples, not guaranteed earnings. Prices vary by supplier and location.
Where to sell
Book fairs and library events
Ask the organizer; many welcome young makers.
Children’s markets
Pairs well with other paper products like cards.
Family and friends
Perfect gifts for teachers and grandparents.
Skills your child will build
- Creativity and personal style
- Consistency
- Basic pricing
- Bundling and offers
Common challenges
- Every bookmark looks different
- Try this: That’s fine for art, but use the same size and theme for each set so the display looks professional.
- Low price, low profit
- Try this: Bookmarks are cheap, so profit comes from volume and bundles. Set a goal like selling 20.
Safety & parent notes
- Younger children may need help with craft knives or scissors when trimming laminated edges.
A note for parents
Bookmarks are ideal for a child’s very first sale. Keep it light, let them make every creative choice, and focus on the excitement of earning their first dollars.
Helpful guides
Getting started
How to Help Your Child Start Their First Business
A practical, step-by-step path from “I want to start a business” to a first sale, without taking over or overspending.
3 min read
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