DIY Pop-up book the 5 pillars of Islam
DIY Pop-Up Book: The Five Pillars of Islam
Salam everyone :) My name is Soumaya, I’m an illustrator, and I hope you’ll find this tutorial helpful and enjoy the creative process! In this DIY, I’ll show you how to design a pop-up book about the Five Pillars of Islam. You can also watch the tutorial video of this DIY here.
This project is a beautiful and calm way to spend time with your child, opening the pages one by one, pausing, and having a thoughtful conversation about each pillar of Islam. The book includes no text—this is intentional. It allows you to create a mindful exchange. You can ask your child simple questions like, “What do you know about the Shahada?” or, for older children, “Do you know who is obligated to perform Hajj?”
Who is this for?
I recommend this craft activity for kids aged between 5 and 12 years old. If your child is under 5, you can assemble the pop-up book yourself and let them explore it with you. It becomes a tactile and visual learning tool that encourages curiosity and calm reflection.
Materials Needed
1) Printable files (you can DOWNLOAD IT HERE )
2) High-quality paper: I recommend 150–300 gsm, printed on A4 or A3 size. I used 300 gsm on A3 and printed it at a professional shop.
3) Scissors
4) Cutter/X-Acto knife
5) Folder or scoring tool (for folding thick paper)
6) Ribbon (for closing the book)
7) Strong glue
8) Scotch tape
Optional: flower press (for better adhesion)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cutting
1) Use scissors for most parts (especially curves like arches).
2) For tight spaces—like the small gap between arches—use a cutter.
3) Cut out the characters.
2. Folding
Use a folder or a firm (non-cutting) tool to fold the thick paper. I personally use a metal cube, but anything sturdy will do. Follow all the folding lines carefully. If your paper is over 200 gsm, your child may need help for this step.
3. Create the Pop-Up Effect
Now, let’s make it 3D!
1) Use your cutter to cut the two lines in the landscape.
2) Gently open the gate—this will “pop up” when the page is opened.
3) Stick the character in place to complete the scene ("glue" is indicated).
4) Now glue the two parts of the page together to form the final landscape.
5) Press and hold firmly for good adhesion.
6) Make the final motion fold by gently closing the page and guiding the paper to fold naturally.
7) Use the folder here again—it requires some strength.
8) Test the page to make sure you’re happy with the result 😊
Repeat these steps for the other five double pages, one for each pillar.
4. Create the Cover
1) Fold along the two cover fold lines—be as precise as possible for a neat result.
2) Measure and cut the ribbon to the right length to tie around your book.
3) Fix the ribbon in place with tape. You can use the cutter to trim any tape excess.
5. Final Assembly
I. Stick the pages together in the correct order:
1) Shahada (Faith)
2) Salat (Prayer)
3) Zakat (Charity)
4) Ramadan (Fasting)
5) Hajj (Pilgrimage)
II. Glue two pages at a time, let them dry for a few minutes, then continue.
III. Press each page firmly—if you have a flower press, it’s perfect for this!
IV. Finally, attach the cover to the first and last pages.
Let everything dry well before closing your book.
Final Check
Make sure your pages are well aligned and the folds move smoothly when you open the book. Take a moment to admire your creation—it’s more than a craft, it’s a beautiful way to connect with your child and reflect on the core values of Islam together.
I hope you enjoy making this special pop-up book as much as I did 💛 Feel free to share your creations (contact@theremembranceshop.com) or tag me (@theremembranceshop)—I’d love to see them!
