Backpack crafts are not hard and they are a lot of fun! With a few tips from our article and a little effort, you can learn how to make a backpack for school. Just imagine the compliments your kids will get!
You don’t have to settle for an ordinary backpack. With some imagination and a little effort, you can spice up your kid’s school bag and be proud of it all year. Their friends will definitely notice!
Before you do anything else, you need a good design. We recommend making a sketch, if possible, and draw in all your design ideas. If you can’t make a sketch, at least make a list of things you will do to customize the bag.
Let’s help get your kid’s ideas going with some basic backpack arts and crafts. Here are a few ideas:
- Homemade pins: Cut out logos or pictures your kids like, lay them face down on parchment paper. Cut a small piece of stick glue and lay it on the back of the image. Fold the parchment paper over the glue and carefully press with a hot clothes iron for a few seconds to melt the glue. When cool, peel away the parchment paper and trim away excess. Then glue a safety pin to the back of the image. You now have a personalized pin!
- Add metallic tacks to a backpack wherever you like. Bend the pin part over and coat with a dab of hot glue to seal up the sharp point.
- Gold foil designs: Brush fabric glue onto the backpack material in designs. Lay a piece of gold foil on the glued area and parchment paper on top of the foil. Carefully press with a hot iron for a few seconds. Allow to cool 2 to 3 minutes and peel away the unattached part of the foil.
- Use acrylic paints to paint designs into the fabric. You can dilute the paint with a little water to create more subtle effects if you like. Try using stencils if you want to make more precise images. You can also use a damp foam brush or paintbrush and blend the colors before they dry.
These are just a few of the many ways you can create a kid’s school bag. You’ll have a great time finding more ideas online and then giving them a try.
To get great results, use the best materials. Start with a good-quality backpack and only use decorative parts that will hold up to daily use. Adhesives also must be very high quality if your designs are going to last. Here are a few suggestions.
If you are gluing something directly to the fabric of the backpack, you’ll appreciate Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic Flexible Adhesive. It is designed to repair or bond to fabrics, vinyl, and other materials on your backpack. It’s also waterproof and will hold up to the elements when necessary. Best of all, it dries clear and remains flexible, so it will stand up to heavy use.
For a super strong bond to almost any material, try Loctite Extreme Glue. This special formulation will bond to almost anything including plastics, leather, and fabric. It is designed for bonds that need to remain flexible, making it a solid choice for a school bag or other backpack.
