Making Paper Bags With Children

Making paper bags with children is one of those wonderfully versatile activities that combines creativity, learning, and practical skills all in one engaging project. Not only do kids get to exercise their artistic abilities, but they also learn about measurements, following instructions, and creating something useful from simple materials. Plus, the finished bags can be used for gift-giving, storage, or even more craft projects.

This hands-on activity is perfect for rainy days, classroom projects, birthday parties, or any time you want to engage children in a meaningful craft that produces something they can actually use and be proud of.

Why Make Paper Bags with Kids?

Creating paper bags offers numerous benefits beyond just having fun. Children develop fine motor skills through cutting, folding, and gluing. They practice following sequential instructions and learn basic geometry concepts through folding and measuring. The activity also encourages creativity as they decorate and personalize their bags, and it introduces concepts of recycling and upcycling when using newspaper or old magazines.

Perhaps most importantly, making something functional from scratch gives children a tremendous sense of accomplishment and pride. They'll love showing off their handmade bags and using them for special purposes.

Materials You'll Need

Basic Supplies:

Paper (various options work well)
Scissors (child-safe for younger kids)
Glue sticks or white craft glue
Rulers or measuring tape
Pencils for marking
Bone folder or the back of a spoon for crisp creases

Paper Options:

Brown kraft paper: Classic choice, sturdy and easy to work with
Wrapping paper: Creates colorful, festive bags
Newspaper: Great for an eco-friendly, vintage look
Magazine pages: Colorful and free, perfect for upcycling
Construction paper: Easy for young children to handle
Scrapbook paper: Beautiful patterns and colors

Decoration Supplies:

Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Stickers
Stamps and ink pads
Ribbon or yarn for handles
Buttons, sequins, or other embellishments
Hole punch for handle attachment

Simple Paper Bag Method (Ages 4-8)

This method is perfect for younger children and creates charming, functional small bags.

Instructions:

Start with a rectangle: Cut paper to 8.5 x 11 inches (standard printer paper size works perfectly).
Create the fold: Fold the paper in half lengthwise with the decorated side facing inward.
Make the bottom: Fold up about 2 inches from the bottom to create the base of the bag.
Create side gussets: Open the bottom fold and push in the corners to create triangular flaps. Fold these flaps down and glue them to the bottom of the bag.
Seal the sides: Apply glue along one of the long edges and press the sides together firmly. Hold for 30 seconds.
Form the bag: Gently open the bag and push out the bottom to create a flat base.
Add handles: Punch holes near the top edge and thread ribbon or yarn through to create handles.

Classic Brown Paper Bag Method (Ages 8+)

This method creates more professional-looking bags similar to store-bought versions.

Instructions:

Cut your paper: Start with a piece of kraft paper measuring 15 x 10 inches for a medium-sized bag.
Create the main fold: Fold the paper in half lengthwise, with the good side facing inward.
Make the bottom section: Measure 4 inches up from the bottom and fold. This will become the bottom of your bag.
Form the gussets: Open the bottom fold completely. At each bottom corner, create a triangle by bringing the corner point to meet the center crease line. The triangle should be about 2 inches wide.
Glue the triangles: Apply glue to these triangular sections and fold them flat against the bottom of the bag.
Seal the side: Apply a thin line of glue along one of the long vertical edges. Press the sides together and hold firmly for one minute.
Create the base: Push the bottom of the bag outward to form a rectangular base. Press the creases firmly.
Finish the top: Fold the top edge down about 1 inch to create a clean, finished look.

Decorating Ideas and Techniques

For Younger Children (Ages 4-7):

Finger painting: Let them create abstract designs with washable finger paints
Sticker collages: Provide themed stickers for easy decoration
Crayon resist: Draw with white crayon, then paint over with watercolor
Handprint designs: Use their handprints to create flowers, trees, or animals

For Older Children (Ages 8+):

Stamping patterns: Create repeating designs with stamps
Collage work: Cut and glue images from magazines
String art: Punch holes and thread colorful yarn in patterns
Nature printing: Use leaves and flowers to create prints

Themed Decoration Ideas:

Seasonal themes: Fall leaves, winter snowflakes, spring flowers, summer suns
Holiday designs: Halloween pumpkins, Christmas trees, Valentine hearts
Animal themes: Draw or stamp favorite animals
Geometric patterns: Use rulers and stencils for precise designs

Advanced Techniques for Older Kids

Handle Variations:

Twisted paper handles: Roll strips of paper tightly and twist them together
Braided fabric handles: Use fabric scraps to create colorful braided handles
Rope handles: Thread actual rope through reinforced holes
Button and loop closures: Add buttons and fabric loops for secure closing

Reinforcement Methods:

Corner reinforcements: Add small triangular pieces of cardboard to corners
Base reinforcement: Glue a piece of cardboard to the inside bottom
Handle reinforcement: Use small pieces of tape or fabric around handle holes

Educational Opportunities

Math Concepts:

Measurement: Practice using rulers and understanding inches/centimeters
Geometry: Explore rectangles, triangles, and spatial relationships
Fractions: Discuss halves and quarters when folding
Problem-solving: Figure out how to make bags different sizes

Science Connections:

Material properties: Discuss why certain papers work better than others
Engineering: Talk about how the folding creates strength
Environmental science: Discuss recycling and reusing materials

Language Arts:

Following directions: Practice reading and following sequential instructions
Vocabulary: Learn words like "gusset," "crease," and "reinforce"
Creative writing: Write stories about what might go in their bags

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Bag won't stand up: The bottom gussets might not be folded correctly. Make sure the triangular flaps are well-creased and securely glued.

Handles tear: Reinforce the area around handle holes with small pieces of tape or fabric before punching holes.

Glue isn't holding: Make sure surfaces are clean and dry. Hold pieces together longer, or try using double-sided tape for extra security.

Bag is too small/large: Adjust the starting paper size. For larger bags, start with bigger paper; for smaller bags, reduce all measurements proportionally.

Creative Uses for Finished Bags

Gift Giving:

Birthday party favor bags: Perfect size for small treats and toys
Holiday gift bags: Personalized and much more meaningful than store-bought
Teacher appreciation: Decorated by the child for a special personal touch

Organization:

Desk organizers: Store art supplies, pencils, or small toys
Lunch bags: Food-safe paper can create custom lunch carriers
Collection storage: Perfect for treasures, rocks, or trading cards

Extended Activities:

Puppet theaters: Cut a window in larger bags for puppet shows
Planters: Line with plastic for small plant starters
Game pieces: Use in scavenger hunts or sorting activities

Safety Considerations

Always supervise children when using scissors, especially younger ones. Provide child-safe scissors for ages 4-7 and teach proper cutting techniques. Ensure glue and other adhesives are non-toxic and washable. Keep small decorative items away from very young children who might put them in their mouths.

Create a designated workspace with good lighting and ventilation, especially if using markers or paints. Have wet wipes or damp cloths available for quick cleanup.

Making It a Group Activity

Paper bag making works wonderfully for birthday parties, classroom activities, or scout group projects. Set up stations with different decoration materials and let children rotate through them. Create a "bag gallery" where everyone can display their finished work.

For parties, consider having children make bags at the beginning of the party, then use them as favor bags to take home treats. This gives the activity dual purpose and ensures every child leaves with something special they created themselves.

Seasonal and Holiday Variations

Spring Bags:

Decorate with flower stickers, pastel colors, and nature themes. Perfect for Easter egg hunts or May Day celebrations.

Summer Bags:

Use bright colors, sun and beach themes. Great for carrying beach treasures or picnic supplies.

Fall Bags:

Incorporate autumn leaves, orange and brown colors, and harvest themes. Wonderful for trick-or-treat bags or carrying apple-picking treasures.

Winter Bags:

Snowflake patterns, blue and white colors, and holiday themes. Perfect for gift-giving or storing winter craft supplies.

Conclusion

Making paper bags with children is more than just a craft activity—it's an opportunity to teach valuable skills while creating something useful and beautiful. The combination of following instructions, using creativity, and producing a functional item makes this activity particularly rewarding for children of all ages.

Whether you're looking for a rainy day activity, a party craft, or an educational project that combines math, science, and art, paper bag making fits the bill perfectly. The best part is seeing the pride on a child's face when they hold up their finished bag and realize they created something amazing from simple materials.

So gather your supplies, clear a workspace, and get ready for an afternoon of creativity, learning, and fun. Your paper bag-making adventure awaits, and the memories you create will last long after the bags are filled with treasures!