Paper Bag Backpack Craft
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This Paper Bag Backpack Craft is the perfect back-to-school craft to get the kids excited about the upcoming school year. It’s a craft that doubles as a keepsake. With included printables like a pocket, crayons, and a cute writing prompt that says, “This year I’m excited about…” kids can personalize their craft and write what they are looking forward to.
I love seeing the creative crafts that teachers come up with. With four kids, I’ve seen so many fun and sentimental crafts come home from school like this Pipe Cleaner Turkey Craft, witch broom Halloween Goody Bag, and this Paper Plate Apple Core Craft.
Why you’ll love this craft
Supplies You’ll Need
- Paper grocery bag
- Glue
- Backpack Printables (Writing Prompt, Pocket, Crayons)
- Pencils, colored pencils, or crayons
Equipment Needed
Scissors
How to Make Paper Bag Backpacks
Prepping this Craft for the Kids
Cut a strip off the top of the bag about 1&1/2 in. in width
Cut that strip in half
Place the bag down so that the flat side is facing up
Glue the strips to the top and bottom of the side of the bag
You should now have straps for the backpack
Decorating
Children should complete their writing prompts and, if they wish, color the pictures. If they are too young to write, they can dictate how they would like their sentences to be completed.
The writing prompt can be glued to the top half of the bag
To make the pocket, add glue to the sides and bottom of the pocket and press it to the backpack
Slide the crayons into the pocket
Additionally, kids can add more decorations by coloring or adding embellishments like stickers to their backpacks.
Expert Tips
Use a strong tacky glue to quickly glue the straps onto the bag like Beacon 3-in-1
Prep this craft for little kids by cutting and gluing the paper bag straps for them
Variations and Fun Ideas
Use this as a project holder throughout the year, and send it home at the end of the year, full of the kids’ paper projects
Swap the writing prompt for seasonal ones, such as “This fall I’m looking forward to…”
Nature Hike – Use the backpack to collect treasures on a nature hike
More Crafts You’ll Love
Printable
Paper Bag Backpack Craft
Equipment
- Pair of scissors
- glue glue sticks for kids, and a stronger tacky craft glue for assembling the backpack
Materials
- 1 grocery store-sized paper bag
- printables (writing prompt, crayons, pockets)
- pencil, colored pencils, crayons
Instructions
Prepping the bag
- Cut a strip off the top of the bag about 1&1/2 in. in width
- Cut that strip in half
- Place the bag down so that the flat side is facing up
- Glue the strips to the top and bottom of the side of the bag
Decorating
- Children should complete their writing prompts and, if they wish, color the pictures. If they are too young to write, they can dictate how they would like their sentences to be completed.
- The writing prompt can be glued to the top half of the bag
- To make the pocket, add glue to the sides and bottom of the pocket and press it to the backpack
- Slide the crayons into the pocket
Embellishing
- Additionally, kids can add more decorations by coloring or adding embellishments like stickers to their backpacks.
~ Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.com
