This post originally published on Hip Mama's Place on June 2016.
Are your kids bored with summer vacation yet? I know there are camps and friends and stopping the summer slide. But even with everything you add into the schedule, there's still a desire for more!
Here's a fun craft for kids to do this summer! Whether you have a dancer or gymnast, a book lover or a general nerd, the fun thing is that this craft is practical and can entirely be customized to your child's personality!
Summer Craft for Kids: DIY Kid's Tote Bag
There are tons of plain gym bags available online. While vinyl cinch sacks are the least expensive, I recommend one made of cotton, hemp, or canvas because the paint, glue and glitter stays better.
Supplies You'll Need for DIY Tote Bag
- Spray Paint
- Mod Podge
- Glitter
- Stencil
- Bag
- Foam Paint Brush
Directions: How to make DIY Kid's Tote Bag
First things first, you need to decide on your design, you may want to "draw" it out on a piece of paper so you know which elements you want to include in creating your custom gym bag.
Lay your bag out on a flat surface and place your stencil or letter in the middle of it. If need be, secure it in place.
Next, take the spray paint color of your choosing (we used neon pink, green, and orange) and spray it diagonally across the stencil. Repeat this with however many colors you desire. Remember to only spray a portion of the letter with each color and not the entire thing. If you do, your colors will end up merging and end up being one brownish, dark grey, blackish-color that won't be the colors you were you hoping for!
Before you remove the stencil, wait at least 5 minutes to ensure the paint has dried.
Decide where you would like your glitter and use your foam brush to cover that area in glue (we used mod podge).
Immediately begin sprinkling your glitter over the glue. Let it sit until the glue dried and then shake it off in the grass or a trash can. If there are some bare areas, just add more glue and glitter. Remember not to put glue where you don't want glitter.
You can add additional touches and flair to create the design of your choice. Whether you make one for yourself, or one for a friend, it is entirely custom and unique! This also makes a fun birthday party craft!
Do you have a summer party planned? Do you think you'd like to include this DIY Kid's Tote Bag craft? Let me know!
laura says
These are cute ideas for a kids tote bag. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Susan says
This is a cute, personalized idea and looks so easy to do!
Christy G says
This is a cute idea. I’ll have to make my son his own personalized bag.
Beautiful Touches says
I love the customization options that doing things yourself allows, also enjoying the massive amounts of glitter I can add to something!
Marysa says
What a fun project, even for teens. I could see this being a good project for having friends over or as a party activity. Love this idea!
Monidipa Dutta says
This DIY kid's tote bag tutorial is fantastic! Your step-by-step instructions are easy to follow, and the end result is adorable. I can't wait to try making one for my little one. Keep up the great work!
Richelle Milar says
This is a really great and cool idea! I’m gonna let my daughter see this cause she had lots of tote bags
Lori Bosworth says
What a cute kid's tote bag and it looks like it's easy to make! I love that you can use your child's first name initial on the front!
vidya says
such a fun activity and a colorful beautiful result from it..
Monica says
I love this! This would make a great gift! I love the letter both solid white and with glitter.
Tara Pittman says
This is a cool craft to make with kids. I need to make one of these with my kids.
Amber Myers says
How pretty! My daughter would want to make one of these to carry her dance stuff.
Megan says
I didn't realize you could use Mod Podge on fabric - what a great idea! I love how fun and retro your design came out. My daughter would love it!
Skingenity says
A cute and fun idea!
Marysa says
I love this idea! I think it would be fun for a party or those times my kids say there is nothing to do.
Candy Rachelle says
This is a great DIY for parents who home school or just for fun! Such a fun idea!!!
Candy Rachelle
Keeping Up With Candy
http://www.keepingupwithcandy.com
Minakshi Bajpai says
Wow, this looks really very good. very nice pictures as well.
Sushmita says
This is so, so cool! I love it! It's a very nice and easy DIY
Emman Damian says
I love the DIY Kid’s Tote Bag project. My niece would love to design her own tote bag. We'll do this on weekends.
Marie Phillips says
This is such a perfect project. I did this with my oldest daughter and her friends for her 6th birthday party! She is now 28 years old. 🙂
the joyous living says
such a fun summer craft to do with the kids! i love that you added sparkles to the letter E.
Kuntala Bhattacharya says
Wow this is very creative and interesting. I liked the concept. Your idea is superb.
Emily Fata says
What an adorable, fun tote bag! I love the added sparkle accent to the monogram, too!
Nkem says
DIY tote bags are a great idea. I used to love stuff like this as a kid. Still do!
Hayley says
This is such a great idea! I love how you can personalise the tote in your children’s favourite colours.
Matt Taylor says
Definitely a fun craft to do with kids. Tote bags are great! But even better if they get to personalize it.
Shannon says
This is a great craft. My son is too small for this right now, but I will have to try it for myself in the meantime.
Nicole Escat says
This is a nice idea. I will show this to my sister, she loves making DIY bags for her kids.
Rosey says
So fun. All of the kids would love to do this one. I love that you used glitter!
Kita Bryant says
This has glitter....need I say more? Glitter makes everything perfect haha Love this idea!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
This is a very cute project.
I will have to store this one to do with my niece.
kristin says
That's super cute!!! You could make these for a party or even as gifts. So simple and fun too!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
The tote bag turned out awesome! I wish I had at least a fourth of your creative talent! I would want to have one like that myself.
Karlaroundtheworld | Karla says
Those are some cute results! I love DIY stuff like this, especially with designing clothing and accessories. No one's too early nor too late to start bringing in some fashion sense!
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
What a great craft. I have learned a long time ago that you can never have too many tote bags. It's fun for kids to make their own so they can make it look just how they want it.
Kiwi says
This would definitely be a fun summer bag for pre-teens to make. I love the ombre/tie-dye effect of this!
Nikki Wayne says
Oh, this is a nice idea. I will see if I can find a letter "M" for my son. Or should I make a DIY cardboard stencil, I wish I can!
Liz Mays says
What a cute idea. I love the personalized letter. That would be so perfect!
Joyce Brewer says
What a fun project! I'm not that crafty. But even I think I can attempt this.
Meagan says
This would be adorable for Summer camp!
Melisasource says
What a great idea! My daughter would love this idea, especially since she's getting into sewing/fashion.
Val says
What a super great and easy way to keep kids entertained as we wind down the Summer break season. I love these ideas so much!
mary says
OH I wish I saw this before camp. It would have been perfect for the kids to take to camp. Maybe for school?
Pam says
This is such a cute craft. I love that it is useful, too. Who doesn't need a tote bag?
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
OMG, that's so cute! You can't beat a project with that much color and glitter! <3
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
You had me at Glitter, and I don't even have kids, LOL 🙂
robin masshole mommy says
What a cute idea. I want to make one for each of my kids.