How to Decorate Your Own Lunch Box

Learn how to decorate your own lunch box.

If you and your child went shopping this year for a lunch box for him to take to school, then you already know that most of the boxes for sale were covered with the same old superheroes and licensed cartoon characters. You might have bought one out of necessity, but neither you nor your child was pleased with it. If you'd like to give your child a unique lunch box, one that stands out in a crowd and expresses his or her personality, then decorate the lunch box as a project with your child.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Patterned paper
• Scissors
• Liquid glue
• Magic markers
• Crayons
• Thin paintbrush
• Watercolor paints
• Stickers
• Ribbons
• Beads

Instructions

1. Measure the length and width of each side of the lunch box with a ruler. Transfer your measurements to a piece of patterned paper. Cut out pieces of decorative paper that fit each side of the box, using the scissors. Apply a thin line of liquid glue to the back of each piece of paper, and glue it to the box, completely covering the outside surfaces of the box.

2. Sketch a picture on the paper cover of your lunch box, using a pencil but with a light touch. Trace over the lines of your sketch, using colored magic markers and crayons, and fill in the picture with color.

3. Create a different effect with the initial sketch you made by using watercolors to fill in your picture. Dip a thin paintbrush into water, and then dab it on the surface of the color you want. Apply the paint to your picture, experimenting with different amounts of water to produce darker and lighter shades of color. Rinse the brush in a cup of water after each color you apply.

4. Decorate your lunchbox with stickers. Peel the stickers off the smooth paper backing and stick them wherever you want on your lunch box. Press small stickers in a row around the edge of the lunchbox to create a border. Apply a big sticker in the middle of one side of your lunchbox, and then draw a border around it with magic markers.

5. Glue ribbons and beads on your lunchbox using liquid glue. Squeeze a drop of liquid glue on the back of the ribbon or bead, and then place it where you want it on your lunchbox. Hold the ribbon or bead in place with your finger for about a minute, until the glue dries and the decoration is stuck in place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find beautiful decorative items in the scrapbooking department of any crafts store.

• Supervise small children when handling scissors, glue and paint.

References

• Craft Bits: Altered Tin - Lunch Box