Project 2: Paper Bag Costume

This project creates a costume out of an ordinary paper bag. I used to make these costumes when I was a kid when friends and I would put on a neighborhood play.

The paper bag costume project requires the following materials:

• paper bag (grocery store size)
• crayons or markers
• scissors

Instructions

1. Please read through all the instructions before beginning the project. I will identify which steps you (the adult) will need to do yourself since they involve items not suitable for all ages of children. All other steps are directed toward your kids.
   
2. Open a grocery store paper bag.
3. (Step for adults) Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag so that when it is turned upside down, it fits over your child's head.
4. Place the bag over your head so that your head goes through the hole, and the bag rests of your shoulders.
   
5. Determine where the arm holes should go. Mark with pencil on the bag if necessary.
6. Take the bag off.
7. (Step for adults) Cut the arm hole for both the right and left sides of the bag.
8. Put the bag back on to make sure your arm holes fit correctly. (For adults) Cut more off if needed.
9. Time to make it into a costume!
   
10. Crayons work well on paper bags, and so do markers. I don't recommend anything that contains a lot of liquid (like paints), since that will soak into the bag and warp the costume.
11. Draw your costume on the bag. Remember that this fits over your torso, so you'll probably want to draw the top half of the costume.
12. Try a tuxedo! Or an animal! Or a type of uniform, such as a policeman or doctor.
    
13. You can glue or tape other materials to the bag such as glitter, string, paper, etc.
14. You can always put on the costume while decorating to see how it is looking.
15. Add accessories such as a hat, gloves, a skirt or pants. Enchantedlearning.com has a simple way of making a large hat out of a paper bag.
    
16. Post comments with other paper bag costume ideas, or if things did not work out for your project. Thanks!

I also like:

• Familycrafts.about.com has an interesting project on making outer space costumes from paper bags.
• Kinderart.com provides a simple approach to making a full mask from a paper bag. Some of the materials are more art supplies than they are everyday items, but perhaps you'll have some lying around the house!
• Freekidscrafts.com gives instructions for making a really cute paper bag vest that looks like the real thing! They also have a project for making a simple hat (you could use anything to decorate, if you didn't want to use fall leaves).