How to Make a Paper Bag House

Want a super fun and easy craft project for your kids? Maybe something to get their creative juices flowing? Then check out paper bag houses! It's a simple craft that's not only fun but also helps with little hands, encourages storytelling, and uses stuff you might already have. Ready to turn boring paper bags into cool mini homes?

What are Paper Bag Houses?

Paper bag houses are tiny houses made from paper bags. Think of them as a classic paper bag craft. They're great for classrooms, summer camps, or just fun at home. The best part? You can make them your own! Kids can use paint, markers, stickers – whatever they want to make their house totally unique. It's not just a craft; it's a fun way to let kids be creative!

Why Make Paper Bag Houses? Good Stuff for Kids!

Making houses with paper bags is actually really good for kids. Here's why:

• Get Creative: Paper bag houses are like a blank canvas. Kids can design the outside, add details, and even make up stories about who lives there.
• Fine Motor Skills: All that folding, cutting, gluing, and decorating? It helps kids get better at using their hands. That's good for writing, drawing, and all sorts of stuff.
• Brain Power: Figuring out how to build a house helps kids learn to solve problems. How do you make a roof? How do you add windows? It's all problem-solving!
• Let's Pretend!: Once the houses are done, kids can use them to play pretend. It's great for making up stories and acting them out.
• Help the Planet: Using paper bags for crafts is a cool way to recycle and learn about taking care of our planet.
• Cheap and Easy: You don't need a lot of fancy stuff. Paper bags are cheap and easy to find. It's a perfect kids activity that won't cost a lot.

What You Need to Make Paper Bag Houses

Before you start, let's get everything together:

• Paper Bags: Brown paper lunch bags or even grocery bags work great. Make sure they're clean and not too wrinkly. How big they are decides how big your house will be.
• Scissors: Get kid-safe scissors so everyone can cut and shape the paper bags safely.
• Glue: School glue or a glue stick is perfect for sticking the bags together. For grown ups, hot glue (with an adult helping) can be stronger.
• Markers, Crayons, or Paint: Time to decorate! Acrylic paint, washable markers are good choices.
• Cool Stuff: Stickers, glitter, buttons, yarn, construction paper – anything you want to use to make your house special.
• Ruler (Maybe): If you want to measure and cut perfect shapes, grab a ruler.
• Pencil (Maybe): It's good for drawing your design before you decorate.

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Basic Paper Bag House

Here's a simple way to build how to make paper bag houses. It uses a bunch of bags to make it stronger.

1. Get the Bags Ready: For each house, you'll need about 5-7 paper bags. Make sure they're all facing the same way (open end up).
2. Glue Time: Lay the first bag flat. Put a thin layer of glue all over it, except for the top inch or two.
3. Stack 'Em: Put the second bag right on top of the glued bag. Make sure the edges line up. Press down hard.
4. Do It Again: Keep gluing and stacking until you've used all the bags except the last one.
5. Top It Off: Put glue all over the last bag. Place it on top of the stack, lining up the edges.
6. Wait!: Let the stack dry. This could take half an hour or an hour, depending on the glue.
7. Open It Up: Once it's dry, carefully open the stack. It should make a hollow shape. The glued bags will hold the house up.
8. Make a Roof: Gently push down on the center of the top bag to make a roof. You can try different shapes. For a pointy roof, fold the top bags down at an angle.
9. Decorate!: This is the fun part! Use markers, crayons, paint, stickers – whatever you want! Add windows, doors, chimneys, and anything else you can think of.
10. Add Details: Get creative! Draw cool patterns, add textures, and make it your own.

Easy Way: Single Bag House

Want something faster? Try making a house from just one bag:

1. Flatten It: Lay the paper bag flat.
2. Fold the Top: Fold the top of the bag down an inch or two. Fold it again to make it strong.
3. Make a Roof: Fold the top corners of the bag inward to make a triangle. This will be the roof. Glue it down.
4. Decorate!: Decorate the bag with windows, doors, and anything else you want.

Cool Ideas for Decorating Your Paper Bag Houses

You can decorate paper bag houses any way you want! Here are some ideas:

• Windows and Doors: Cut out windows and doors from paper, or just draw them on. You could even add little curtains!
• Chimney Time: Roll up a small piece of paper and glue it to the roof for a chimney.
• Garden Time: Glue green paper around the house for a garden. Add flowers, trees, and other plants.
• Get Textured: Put glue on and sprinkle sand, glitter, or other stuff to make interesting surfaces.
• Make a Village: Make a bunch of houses and put them together to make a whole village.
• Pick a Theme!: Make a haunted house for Halloween, a gingerbread house for Christmas, or a fairy house with lots of cool details.
• Recycle!: Use bottle caps for stepping stones, sticks for fences, and fabric scraps for curtains.
• 3D Stuff: Make flower pots or bird feeders from small boxes or cardboard tubes.

Tips for Making Great Houses

Here are some tips to make sure your paper bag house project goes well:

• Good Glue: Use glue that holds really well, especially for the multi-bag method.
• Let It Dry: Make sure the glue is completely dry before you open and decorate the houses.
• Adult Help: Grown-ups should help kids with scissors and glue.
• Protect the Table: Cover your table with newspaper or a plastic cloth to keep it clean.
• Be Creative!: Let kids use their own ideas and have fun. There's no wrong way to decorate a paper bag house!
• Plan First: Before you start, talk about what you want to make and get all your stuff together.

Make it for Any Age!

Paper bag houses can be made by kids of all ages. Little kids might need help with cutting and gluing, while older kids can make more complicated designs.

• Little Ones: Let them color with crayons or put on stickers. Adults can cut out the paper bags for them.
• Elementary School: Have them design their own windows, doors, and other details. They can also try different textures and materials.
• Older Kids: Challenge them to make multi-story houses or houses with lots of details. They can even try different types of architecture.

Level Up: Advanced Paper Bag House Projects

Want to take your paper bag house skills to the next level? Try these ideas:

• Multi-Story: Make a two- or three-story house by stacking more glued bags.
• Details: Add cool details like balconies, dormers, and gables using paper or cardboard.
• Lights On!: Add small battery-powered lights inside the house to make it glow.
• Furniture: Make tiny furniture from cardboard or paper to put inside the house.
• Landscaping: Add trees, bushes, and a garden around the house.

Where to Find Ideas for Your Paper Bag Houses

Need some ideas for your paper bag house project? Check these out:

• Pinterest: Pinterest is full of paper bag craft ideas, including lots of paper bag houses.
• Craft Blogs: Lots of craft blogs have tutorials and ideas for paper bag crafts.
• Books: Look for books about crafting with recycled materials or making miniature houses.
• Museums: Go to museums to see real examples of architecture and design.
• Outside!: Take a walk outside and look at real houses and landscapes.

How to Keep and Show Off Your Paper Bag Houses

Once you've made your paper bag houses, you'll want to keep them safe and show them off. Here are some tips:

• Dry Place: Keep the houses in a dry place so they don't get damp.
• Be Gentle: Paper bag houses can be fragile, so be careful with them.
• Show 'Em Off: Put the houses on a shelf, table, or windowsill.
• Make a Village: Put a bunch of houses together to make a cool village.
• Decorate!: Use the houses as decorations for parties, holidays, or just for fun.

Let's Have Fun with Paper Bag Houses!

Making paper bag houses is a great kids activity that's creative, helps with hand skills, and encourages imagination. With easy materials and simple steps, anyone can learn how to make paper bag houses. So get your supplies, let your inner artist shine, and start building your own little world today! This simple paper bag craft is sure to be a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Remember to let them be creative and express themselves. The most important thing is to have fun! Now go make some amazing house making masterpieces!