Make the first day of school extra cheerful with a fun, colorful back-to-school craft that kids will love from start to finish. This adorable school backpack paper craft checks all the boxes. It comes with a free template, is easy to make, engages little hands, and yields a mini masterpiece that kids will love.

Whether you’re a teacher prepping a first day of school project, a parent planning a fun activity, or a creative kiddo ready to dive into crafting, this one’s for you!

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School Backpack Paper Craft

This backpack craft is a fun and creative way to celebrate the new school year. It’s perfect for developing fine motor skills through activities like tracing, cutting, and gluing, and it offers ample space for creativity.

Want to decorate your backpack with a crayon, sticker, or even googly eyes? Go for it! This school-themed craft is all about letting your imagination shine.

Plus, it doubles as a fun back-to-school keepsake or classroom activity. Add in your own paper, scissors, pencil, or ruler, and your backpack will look like it’s ready for a brand-new adventure.

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What You’ll Need (Craft Supplies)

To make your own paper bag backpack (or rather, paper backpack that’s even cuter than a paper bag), here’s what you’ll need:

Construction paper in different colors
Glue
Scissor
Marker
Backpack template (use a free printable template if you prefer)
A flat surface and an excited kid (or several!)

If you don’t have a template handy, don’t worry, you can draw your own simple backpack shape by hand.

Craft supplies including colored paper, glue, scissors, and a black marker

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

Let’s break it down. This easy-to-follow tutorial will guide you from start to finish:

1. Cut Your Templates

Using a printable backpack template or your own drawing, trace all the parts onto colorful paper.

Paper cutouts for backpack craft in various colors.

You’ll need shapes for the main backpack, pocket, flap, straps, and accessories, such as a pencil, scissors, and ruler.

Colored paper sheets and smaller cutouts for craft.

This part of the craft is perfect for improving fine motor skills. Let your kid practice tracing, then assist with the cutting if needed.

Black paper with cutouts and marker for crafting.

2. Assemble the Backpack Base

Take your largest piece (this will be the main paper school bag), and glue on the front pocket and flap.

Pink backpack base with purple pocket attached.

Don’t forget to use contrasting colors to make it pop!

Backpack with added orange strip and two square patches.

Tip: Use a marker to outline the shapes and add stitching details for a more realistic look.

Backpack with completed front pocket design.

3. Add Backpack Details

Time to make your mini school tools!

Cutout pieces for ruler, pencil, and scissors.

Trace and cut out your ruler and pencil shapes.

Add simple lines, numbers, or colors to bring them to life. Slide them into the front pocket or glue them, sticking out for extra flair.

This is the step where your school craft really comes to life!

Finished paper ruler, pencil, and scissors.

4. Outline and Decorate

Use your marker to outline the curved top, add a zipper, draw in faux stitching, or even sketch a little chalkboard.

Pink paper backpack with purple pocket, orange flap, and two square decorations

Let your kid go wild with crayon decorations or add sticker flair.

Backpack with side and top strap pieces ready to attach

The more color, the better!

Backpack with purple handle attached at the top

5. Attach the Handles and Straps

Using extra strips of paper, glue the handles to the top and the backpack straps to both sides.

Fold the ends slightly before gluing to give them a 3D look.

Backpack next to paper ruler, scissors, and pencil

Now your paper backpack looks like a real backpack, just miniature!

Backpack with ruler, scissors, and pencil placed inside

Ideas for Customizing This Craft:

There are tons of ways to make this craft your own:

Add your name on the front with a marker or alphabet sticker
Use glitter or metallic pens for glam details
Match your real backpack’s colors
Create themed versions (rainbow, superhero, unicorn—you name it!)
Turn it into a card holder by adding a flap pocket in the back

This craft isn’t just fun—it’s also super creative and flexible for different age groups. Preschoolers and kindergartners will enjoy the coloring and gluing, while older kids can try more complex drawing and cutting techniques.

Great for the Classroom or Home

Teachers, this is the perfect school craft for your first day of school. Kids can make and personalize their own paper-bag backpacks as a get-to-know-you activity or for a classroom display.

Parents, use this craft to ease new-school jitters and build excitement for the new year. It’s also a great project to include in a DIY back-to-school crafts kit for a party or playdate.

Finished backpack craft on pink background with paper school-themed decorations

Tips for Success:

Here are some quick tips to make your backpack craft experience smooth and fun:

Use pre-cut template shapes for younger kids
Let kids pick their own colors to make it feel more personal
Add labels like “pencil,” “ruler,” or “scissors” to boost early reading
Laminate your final paper backpack for extra durability (optional!)
Snap a pic for your Pinterest board—it’s that adorable

Why Kids Love This Craft:

This isn’t just any craft. This backpack craft is a fun way for kids to express themselves. It blends creativity with school-themed excitement, helping them feel a little more prepared and energized for the school year through these fun, engaging projects.

From the cutting and gluing to the drawing and decorating, it’s a hands-on experience they’ll remember. Plus, when it’s all done, they’ll have a mini, adorable backpack they made with their own two hands.

Who wouldn’t be proud of that?

Backpack craft angled on pink background with paper sun, pencil, and apple

More Fun Paper Crafts for Kids

If your kids had fun making the Paper School Backpack Craft, here are more playful and creative paper crafts they’ll love:

Cat in the Hat Paper Craft – Celebrate Dr. Seuss with this classic red-and-white hat craft.
North Pole Printable Paper Craft – A festive winter-themed activity perfect for holiday crafting.
Rocking Chick Easter Paper Craft – A fun springtime rocking chick made with simple shapes.
Rocking Carrot Paper Craft – Bright and cheerful, this carrot craft is perfect for Easter or garden-themed occasions.
Back to School Scavenger Hunt
Back to School Color By Number

Backpack craft with “School Backpack Paper Craft” title and colorful background

So whether you’re prepping for the first day of school, planning a classroom activity, or just looking for some good old-fashioned crafts for kids, this paper school backpack craft is the diy project you’ve been searching for.

It’s colorful. It’s silly. It’s creative. And best of all, it’s a whole lot of fun.

So grab your back-to-school paper, fire up your printer (if you’re using a printable), and let’s make this new school year the most adorable one yet—with a handmade paper backpack that’s anything but ordinary. Happy crafting!

Backpack Paper Craft

Yield: 1 Craft

This colorful back-to-school backpack craft is a fun paper activity for kids to make as they get excited for a new school year. Using simple construction paper shapes, children can create a cheerful backpack filled with school supplies like a pencil, ruler, and scissors. It is a great classroom craft, first day of school activity, or back-to-school project for preschool and elementary-aged kids.

Materials

Colored Construction paper - Varying colors
Markers
Glue or glue sticks
Scissors
Printable backpack and school supply templates

Instructions

Print and cut out the backpack and school supply templates.
Trace each template onto the corresponding construction paper color, then cut out all the pieces.
Assemble the pencil, ruler, and scissors using the template pieces. Glue the pieces together and outline the details with a marker.
Build the backpack by gluing the front pocket and decorative pieces onto the main backpack shape.
Use a marker to outline the orange strip and add small dots around the curved top and pocket edge for extra detail.
Attach the side straps to both sides of the backpack.
Glue the top handle to the back of the backpack so it shows above the top edge.
Slide or glue the ruler, scissors, and pencil inside the backpack pocket.
Let the craft dry completely before displaying it for a fun back-to-school decoration.