Paper bags are budget-friendly and widely available, making them ideal materials for crafts. However, seeing crafting potential in something as mundane as a brown bag is quite challenging; not all people can look through artistic glasses and make a piece of art out of nothing.
That’s why we’re here to help! We’ve made a list of many paper bag crafts that are suitable for both adults and kids. Whether you want to test your crafty skills or keep your kids entertained for a while, you’ll find what you need here. So grab your craft supplies and jump in!
1. Recycled Paper Basket Weaving
Weaving is relaxing, simple, and breeds beautiful results. If you have leftover brown paper bags, you can use them to create this stunning woven basket. It’ll be insanely fun to make, and you’ll have an extra storage unit for your house.
Get the tutorial for recycled paper basket weaving on The Craftaholic Witch.
2. Fall Wreath
The brown color that adorns paper bags fits the aesthetic of the fall season. You can use this to your advantage and make an elegant fall wreath using brown paper bags and some orange and red artificial flowers. You can also decorate it with some pine cones and raffia threads.
Check the instructions for the fall wreath on CBC Parents.
3. Scrapbook
Scrapbooks make for ideal gifts because you get to elegantly gather many dear memories in one place. And like all crafts, you can make a scrapbook out of recycled materials. For this project, brown paper bags will be your new best friend. They’ll add vintage vibes to the book, and you’ll have fun decorating with them.
Learn how to make a scrapbook out of paper bags on Graphic 45.
4. Holiday Lights Gift Wrap
Adding a homemade touch to Christmas gifts is a heartwarming act. And you can begin by crafting decorated gift wraps using paper bags. In this project, you’ll draw colorful holiday lights on the bags and write short, sweet notes. Then, you’ll wrap your gifts with the newly made wraps and send them out to your loved ones.
Read more about holiday lights gift wrap on Burlap and Blue.
5. DIY Advent Calendar
Advent calendars are a beautiful German tradition that gets kids and adults more excited for Christmas. However, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a ready-made one, you can recycle paper bags and transform them into a chic calendar that you can hang on your wall.
Find out more about the DIY advent calendar on Monika Hibbs.
6. Paper Bag Halloween Costumes
All kids want to wear fabulous outfits on Halloween, but it isn’t always applicable because of limited budgets and the lack of time for shopping. Luckily, paper bags will be your saving grace this year. You can use them to make any outfit you want, ranging from a scary dinosaur to a friendly koala bear.
Learn how to make paper bag Halloween costumes on Wee Society.
7. Vintage Gift Tags
If you make homemade gift wraps for this year’s Christmas, why not top them with crafted vintage tags? Those beautiful tags won’t take much of your time to make and won’t cost you much money. You’ll merely need a brown paper bag and printable vintage designs.
Get the tutorial for vintage gift tags on Sugar Bee Crafts.
8. Paper Bag Bird’s Nest
This project is ideal for preschoolers to introduce them to nature and animals in an easy and fun way. For example, you can use a brown paper bag, fold it to resemble a nest, and use mod podge to keep it together. Then, place small eggs inside and use a stuffed bird to complete the artwork.
Check the instructors for paper bag bird’s nest on Happy Hooligans.
9. Paper Bag Lanterns
You can add warmth and coziness to your house during winter by making lanterns out of paper bags. They’re pretty easy to make, and you can use tealight candles for lighting. After you finish, you can either use them to decorate your house or celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. You can also find more Diwali decoration ideas on Craft Whack.
Find out more about paper bag lanterns on The Crazy Craft Lady.
10. Modern Paper Bag Vases
Keeping indoor plants is fun, and you can add your personal touch to them by putting them in homemade vases. In this project, you can use an old grocery bag to make the vase and decorate it with black ink and tiny drawings. After you finish, you’ll have a unique set of vases that you can showcase in your house.
Read more about modern paper bag vases on The Crazy Craft Lady.
11. Picnic Utensil Holders
Do you want to go out on a fancy picnic this weekend? If so, you can craft cute cutlery holders using a brown bag. They’ll add a unique touch to your picnic and keep your utensils clean. In addition, they’ll come in handy after eating as you can use them to throw your leftovers.
Learn how to make picnic utensil holders on Mom 4 Real.
12. Paper Bag Piñata
Piñatas are a ton of fun at birthday parties. So, to surprise your little kids, you can make a homemade one using old lunch bags. You’ll get to decorate it to match your party theme and won’t dent your wallet too bad. More so, you can fill it with whatever candies and sweets your kids love.
Get the tutorial for paper bag piñata on The Spruce Crafts.
13. Paper Bag Kites
Some breezy days are too precious to waste without flying a kite. Luckily, making a kite is one of the easiest brown paper bag crafts. You can easily attempt it with your kids and even send it as a little gift to a friend of theirs. You’ll need a brown bag, yarn, scissors, tape, and some decorations of your choice.
Check the instructions for paper bag kites on Somewhat Simple.
14. Elegant Party Favors
Do you want to throw a memorable party? If so, you should send your guests off with elegant homemade party favors. They won’t cost you much money or take time to make, and you’ll give your guests an unforgettable memory. You can also try so many great ideas regarding decorating the favors.
Find out how to prepare elegant party favors on Style Me Pretty.
15. Brown Snowman Gift Bags
You can add a unique touch to this year’s Christmas gifts by sending them out in homemade snowman gift bags. For example, you can use lunch bags and encourage your kids to color the snowmen with you. Accordingly, the paper bag craft will be an entertaining activity for the whole family.
Read more about brown snowman gift bags on Crafty Morning.
16. Pirate Paper Bag Crafts
Is your kid a Jack Sparrow fan? If so, you should give them this simple paper bag craft to try out. They’ll only need a lunch bag and paint to finish the project. After they finish, you can either use their craft as a puppet or hang it in their room.
Learn more about pirate paper bag crafts on I Heart Crafty Things.
17. Unicorn Costume
Unicorns are mythical creatures that kids love. Whether it’s because of their colorful nature or attractive appearance, we’re here for it. You can surprise your kid with a unicorn horn made out of a brown paper grocery bag. Then, they can wear it on Halloween or for a costume party.
Get the tutorial for the unicorn costume on Red Ted Art.
18. Brown Paper Bag Football
During rainy days, kids get bored because they can’t play their usual outdoor games. You can solve this issue with a lunch bag and some creativity. You’ll make a house-friendly football that they can play with inside without risking the safety of your glass vases and windows.
Check the instructions for brown paper bag football on All for the Boys.
19. Yoda Paper Bag Puppet
Ever since the Mandalorian came out, people have been obsessing over the cuteness of baby Yoda. This paper bag craft is among the great ideas for Star Wars lovers. And as a bonus point, it’s insanely easy to make and doesn’t take much time.
Find out more about the Yoda paper bag puppet on A Grande Life.
20. Paper Bag Bookbinding
Journaling is a healthy and fun hobby, and you can give yourself a push to do it by crafting a homemade journal. You can use a paper bag to make the bookbinding and decorate it in whatever way you like. For instance, you can draw little doodles on it or personalize it by writing your name on the cover.
Read more about Paper Bag Bookbinding on The House That Lars Built.
21. Paper Bag Maracas
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration in Mexico, and we all know how colorful Mexican festivals can get. If you want to teach your kids about different cultures, you can begin by making those fun maraca paper bag crafts.
Learn how to make paper bag maracas on Fandom.
22. Paper Bag Tiara
All tiaras are sparkly and embellished, leaving no room for uniqueness. However, you can go against the tide and make a cute tiara for your little girl out of paper bags. It’ll be an unforgettable fashion statement at any party she attends. And lucky for you, it’s pretty easy and inexpensive to make and decorate.
Get the tutorial for paper bag tiara on A Fanciful Twist.
23. Star Paper Bag Crafts
Throwing a birthday party for kids necessitates hanging up colorful and childish decorations. Luckily, we have the perfect solution for you!
You can use recycled paper bags to make miniature 3D stars and use them to decorate your place. You can also paint them with whatever colors you want and decorate them with glitter for an added spark.
Check the instructions for star paper bag crafts on The Spruce Crafts.
24. Homemade Magic Kit
You can prepare a fun-filled day for your little ones with a homemade magic kit. You’ll use a brown paper bag to make the magician hat and give your child a pretend wand. Then, you can hide a cute stuffed animal inside the bag to resemble real magicians.
Learn how to prepare a homemade magic kit on Happy Hooligans.
Now that you have a fun collection of paper bag crafts to try out, you can have leisure time crafting with your kids!
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