About This Project

A 10–30 minutes craft for ages 3–12, using supplies you likely already have — Paper Bags, Tape, and Sharpie Markers.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

Imaginative play
Building and design activities
Budget-friendly crafts
Recycled material projects
Indoor creative time

Step 1: Fold the top of your paper bag.

Take a paper lunch bag. Fold the top part of the bag down. You can fold different amounts on different bags to make houses of different heights. Don't tape it yet!

Step 2: Create a colorful roof.

Get your glue stick and some tissue paper squares. Glue rows of tissue paper squares onto the folded part of the bag. Start at the top and go down until your roof is as big as you want it to be.

Step 3: Cut out and glue on a door.

Pick a color of construction paper. Fold the paper in half. Ask a grown-up for help if you need to use scissors. Use your scissors to cut out a rectangle shape for a door. Make sure you cut away from the folded edge. Your door should be about 2 inches wide and 3-4 inches tall. Use your glue stick to put the door onto your paper bag house.

Step 4: Draw fun details on your house.

Use a black sharpie marker to draw things like a doorknob on your door, or windows on your house. You can draw anything you like! Be careful when using markers so you don't get ink on your clothes or hands.

Step 5: Add paint for more color.

Choose your favorite paint color and get a q-tip. Use the q-tip to add little touches of color to your house, like curtains in the windows, shutters, or a porch light. Let the paint dry. Once it's dry, you can use your black sharpie marker to draw around some of your painted decorations. Paint can be messy, so be careful and clean up any spills right away.

Step 6: Make tiny plants for your house.

Find some small pieces of construction paper. Ask a grown-up for help if you need to use scissors. Use your scissors to cut out two matching shapes for flower pots. Glue these pots next to your door with the glue stick. Now, use Elmer's glue to stick green pompoms on top of the pots to make little bushes or trees. You can make them any shape you like!

Step 7: Make your house stand up.

Open your paper bag all the way. Fold the top part back over and use tape to hold it closed. You don't have to put anything inside, but if you want your house to stand up better, you can put some crumpled paper or small stones inside.

Step 8: Play with your new village!

Once all the glue is dry, it's time to play! You can make more houses to build a whole village.

Step 9: Make people and accessories for your village

Use washi tape and popsicle sticks to make people for in your houses. What else can you make?

Paper Bag Village Craft

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