How to Make Paper Bags With Handles

You can turn colored construction paper into your own colorful paper bags with handles. These should only be used to carry light weight items. The process to make these is so simple that children can help.

Things You'll Need

• 4 sheets of construction paper per bag Scissors Glue Markers

Instructions

1. Glue three of the sheets of construction paper end to end with a 1 to 2 inch overlap. You will then have a single, long piece of construction paper. Let the glue dry before proceeding.

2. Fold the glued sheet of construction paper into three parts of equal size along the length. You will have a trifold with similar dimensions to a single sheet of construction paper.

3. Glue the ends together where they overlap.

4. Fold up the bottom 2 inches of this trifolded tube, along one of the open ends. This will cover one of the two open ends on the trifold.

5. Open the bottom fold, and fold the two corners in so that they form triangles with one end along the fold from Step 4.

6. Glue the triangles onto the bottom fold. Glue the entire bottom fold into place on the bag.

7. Make your handles by cutting two 3 inch wide strips from the remaining sheet of construction paper along the longest side.

8. Fold each of these strips into thirds and glue.

9. Glue one handle on the inside of the front of the bag. Glue one end 2 inches down from the top. Bring the strip 3 inches over the top of the bag.

10. Fold the strip at a forty-five degree angle to make the free end parallel to the top of the bag. Allow 3 inches for the handle. Then fold downward another forty-five degrees so that the free end is once again pointing down. Glue the free end to the inside of the bag.

11. Repeat Steps 9 and 10 with the other strip of construction paper on the inside back of the bag to make the second handle.

12. Decorate the bag as desired with the markers.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use to store liquids.