Hi THen
I think the method you are using in the high chair is great. If you do have lots of scrap paper, it is ideal to "rewrite" often as the same word will look different every time. Of course the drawback is that they are disposable! I'm sure that you would be able to buy a small laminator from a stationery shop for a reasonable price. I have a very small one that can only take up to A4 paper.
I was getting mine done by a stationery shop and they were charging me R5.00 for one A4 sheet! (I dont know what the equivalent is in your currency, but it was impossible for me to afford).
With trial and error I have found that the lamininator works better on slightly heavier paper than computer paper. The Index cards mentioned by david1221 work a treat!
You can find an example of my flash cards which I have put onto a PP slide show called "Rainbow".
I look forward to our challenge in the word games
Malma
ps. I dont have a clue about a homemade laminator!