Kids love bags, and now they can design their own using no-cost materials.  Make great purses, crayon carriers, toy carriers, gift bags that are personalized and, best of all, recycled.

You'll need:  a cereal box, cracker box, or any such box; scissors, a glue stick, paper (construction paper or whatever you like), a hole-punch, and ribbon or yarn.

Cut the top flaps off the box.  Now you or your child can cover the entire box with paper.  You decide how exacting you'd like to be about this step. Kids will enjoy taking a collage approach to covering the box, but if you are more interested in a tidy look, you can cut the paper to fit, and help the kids attach it.  Either way, let the kids cover the box with a glue stick before you apply the paper.  Fold the paper over the top edge of the box at the opening and glue around the inside rim for a finished look.

Now punch two holes near the top of each long side.  Tie the ribbon or yarn through the holes to make handles for your gift bag.

Now kids can can decorate with crayons, stamps or whatever else they can imagine. 

Options: Try a patchwork approach, using squares of scrap wrapping paper.  Or cover the box with felt, and glue on buttons or sequins to decorate.  If you are using this as a gift bag, write your sentiment right on the box itself.