MATERIALS:
Paper grocery sacks (To make one backpack, you will need two large, paper grocery bags - one inside the other)
Scissors
Duct tape
Two strips of material approximately 40" (101.6 cm) long by 2" or 3" (5.08 or 7.62 cm) wide (These measurements will vary depending on the size of the child. You may want shorter strips. Give yourself a little extra material to tie on the inside of the sack so it can be adjusted when needed.)
Rubber band or string for opening and closing
Two lightweight cardboard circles 2" or 3" (5.08 or 7.62 cm) wide (file folders work great!)
Stapler for stapling circles to backpack
Tempera paint
Paintbrushes
Containers for paint
PROCESS:
Using full-size brown paper bags, place one sack inside the other. Start cutting the back corner side of the sack down about 7" (17.78 cm). Do the same to the other back corner side. (This cut goes down about halfway.) You should have a piece, which I will call a flapper that you can now crease and fold down in front of you. Now with the remaining sack, cut the three sides that are tall to the height where the flapper folds down. The sack should now look somewhat like a rectangular box with a flap. Taking the flap, staple one cardboard circle a couple of inches from the bottom, in the middle. Lifting the flap, place the other cardboard circle approximately 2 1/2" (6.35 cm) down from the middle and staple it in place. This circle is to be located in the front, middle section of your rectangular box shape.
Now you can cut a heavy piece of string and tie it around the circle on the flapper, leaving a portion dangling to wrap onto the bottom circle for closure. We like using rubber bands as they do not seem to be as complicated for smaller children to use. Now you are ready to paint and decorate your backpack. Let dry.
Lift the
flapper and make two sets of horizontal slits in the back end of the backpack.
On each side you will have one pair of slits. Each pair should be approximately
2 1/2" (6.35 cm) wide. It will depend on the scraps of material that you will be
inserting into these slits as to how long you will want to make your slits. I
suggest going smaller to make sure it is the right length. You can always go
back and cut longer lengths if needed. Insert your material strips into the top
and bottom of the vertical slits and tie when adjusted properly to the child.
You can tape the knot from your material strip to the inside of the sack with
duct tape if it seems to have too much slack. Your backpack is now complete and
ready to carry all those special items!