Ideas for decorating backpacks

[mazajo]

My 10yo DSD and 3yo DS both received plain colored backpacks, and we would like to decorate them but I'm having trouble coming up with ideas. I really don't have money to buy anything extra. I have an unopened pack of several different color fabric paints but I don't know exactly what to do other than just paint very basic shapes with it. DSD is easier with hearts and flowers and such but what basic shapes could I do for a preschool boy? And I'm open to other ideas to! I can hand sew just a little bit. I have lots of felt and other fabric scraps, as well as beads. Any ideas would be most appreciated!

[LaughingHyena]

I usually use colouring pages as templates, there are lots of free ones and I can usually find ones with very simple outlines.

My DS is suddenly into spotting letters and numbers. I might just write those into panel on the bag.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

You kids' last name(s). For the boy, how about round circle poke-a-dots?

[slsurface]

I decorated my DS's pack using so scrap fabric. I first traced his handprint on paper. Then cut out a handprint in a scrap of fleece fabric and then stitched it in his pack. I then put his name on it by cutting out big block letters out of more fleece scraps and sewing them on his pack. Having his name on it was good for preschool, but might not be a good idea for school-aged kids who could be walking home on their own. Another idea is to let your kiddos cut our shapes/decorations and then you can sew them on.

A no-sew alternative is to let then color all over the bag with color-fast markers or crayons - the type you have to iron to set the color.

Have fun!

[ElaineBenes]

What about letting them paint something on it? I let my DS do this for preschool and he loved his tote bag that he did himself.