Art Adventure: Paper Bag Houses

I orginially got this idea from an art supply catalog. You can find cool projects in lots of places. :)

Paper Bag Houses

Supplies:

• paper bag
• construction paper
• scissors
• glue
• markers
• shopping bag or other stuffing
• stapler

I like to keep the bag flat for decorating for little people. Older children may want it open so they can cover all the sides with decoration.

Have your child cut out* doors and windows from the paper, glue them to the bag, and add details with markers. Encourage them to be creative with color choices or patterns.

When ready, open the bag and stuff the inside with a plastic shopping bag or two. 

This just helps keep it puffed open and gives it a little weight. You could use newspaper, paper towels, or whatever else you may have on hand.

Fold the top of the bag down, and then your child can cut out the roof. Help them with estimating a good size if they need it. They can also decorate the roof if they want to.

When ready, fold roof in half and place on top of the bag. Two staples will hold it. And now your child has a paper bag house.

*Young children will have more success cutting (you can start as young as two) with a good pair of safety scissors. I love Fiskars Kid's Scissors. They do not have guards on the blades, but they are designed so that they will not cut fingers! And I don't get perked to tell you this. It's just an awesome product that I love and use.

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