I want to keep it fun but the middle son is a perfectionist and often gets discouraged about trying something new. I bought flip files and we do the work,writing on lid, art on art sheets and when completed we slide them into the plastic sleeves. The children had great fun decorating the covers as well. At the end of the year I can bind them at our church with the machine they have that puts plastic binding on. It's very simple to use.
Some basic tips can be very helpful.
We use Mona Brooks' book Drawing With Children . I also like watercolor and you just can't use anything but watercolor paper for that. Also get some leaves to press and glue in. We have also laminated leaves and pressed flowers with clear contact paper and made neat book marks or window decorations. Don't put very many flowers on each paper because they need to dry.