Kids' Backpacks - How to Decorate a Backpack

The first day of school is quickly approaching and it's time to find a kids backpack for your child. If last year's backpack is still in good shape, give the kids backpack a new look by decorating it. This is a fun project to do with your child to help her get ready for a new school year.

Embellishments for a Kids Backpack

Decorating a kid's backpack is fun. Let your child help pick out materials to use to create a unique, fun look for the upcoming school year. Items that can be used to decorate your kids backpack include: buttons, pins, patches, beads, fabric paints, ribbon, and fabric. Get creative and design something that will really make your child's backpack stand out from all the other backpacks at school.

Getting Started Decorating the Kids Backpack

Once you have decided on the materials you will be using to decorate the backpack, use the materials and place on the backpack before affixing. Take a digital picture once you like the look of the design and keep this handy for reference.

Sewing Items onto a Kids Backpack

If you are sewing items like buttons, patches or beads onto the backpack, use a strong thread and needle to work your way through the backpack and sew each onto the kids backpack by hand. With a needle and thread, you can create a very distinctive look by decorating the backpack trim, handles and other areas.

If your child has a messenger-style backpack, one creative way to decorate the surface is to create a quilt-like stripe using fabric in the school colors and sew onto the surface of the bag. To create this look take four 3 x 3 squares of two different pieces of fabric. Sew the squares together making sure to alternate the fabrics to create a long strip of fabric. Additional squares may be necessary depending on the size of messenger-style backpack you are working with. Once the strip of fabric is long enough to fit, place and sew the fabric strip onto the kids backpack.

Another fun approach for decorating a kids backpack is to create a random, patchwork look with fun fabrics. Finish off the ends of the fabric before affixing to the surface of the kids backpack. Then sew onto the backpack in various locations. Use colorful thread to add additional detailing to the backpack. Or create a quilt square with their initials and then sew onto the backpack.

Using Iron-on Patches to Decorate a Kids Backpack

Iron-on patches are another fun and easy way to decorate a kid's backpack. Patches are available in a variety of designs and sizes. Let your child pick out the designs they like. Before ironing onto your child's backpack make sure to test to make sure the fabric will be able to tolerate the heat of an iron. Some plastic or vinyl backpacks may not be suitable for iron-on patches. Follow the directions on the package for the iron-on patch to adhere to the kids backpack.

As you can see, with some imagination and creativity, you can create a completely new look for your kids backpack. So start the new school year off right, with a one-of-a-kind kids backpack your child will love taking to school.