![DIY Paper Bag Animal Favors](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/paper_bag_animal_favor_bags_image_3.jpg)
After the holidays, the first thing that always happens is the urge to clean up and clear out. It’s time to get organized – and the first step at our house is to recycle the zillions of boxes, bags, and other bits of packaging left over from the presents – especially all of the packages that arrived at our front doorstep!
So, I have recycling on the brain right now, do you? How about we make it a little more interesting than shoving things in the recycling bin. How about we pull out some paper bas and make something! The feel of a crisp paper bag is the perfect start to an art experience, and that brown paper color is ready for any color you throw at it. Take a peek at these craft ideas to get you started.
![DIY Paper Bag Journal for Kids](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/paperbagjournal.jpg)
Paper Bag Journal
Tutorial via Art Bar Journal
This is the sweetest idea. Create paper bag journals for your favorite artists with this quick tutorial – and they get to decorate just to their liking.
![DIY Paper Bag Pendant Lamp](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/apieceofrainbow_pendant1_-15.jpg)
DIY Pendant Lamp
Tutorial via A Piece of Rainbow
Need a new lamp? No problem, just go grab a paper bag! Who would have thought it could turn out as pretty as this one!
![DIY Paper Bag Crowns for Kids](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DSC5214-Edit.jpg)
Paper Bag Crowns
Tutorial via Love, Sarah Schneider
Pretty up those paper bags and turn them into gilded crowns. Every kid I know loves a golden crown for their head – especially when they can decorate their own.
![DIY Paper Bag Books for Kids](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/rosinahuber.jpg)
Paper Bag Books
Tutorial via Rosina Huber
These books have little envelopes in them – the perfect place to hide love notes, and favorite treasures of all kinds.
![DIY Lion Carnival Mask for Kids](https://www.handmadecharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lion-loewe-337x504.jpg)
Lion Carnival Mask
Tutorial via Nido
Use Google Translate to decipher the instructions for this adorable mask – I love the bright colors they used too!
Pictured at the top of this post: Paper Bag Animal Favors, tutorial via Real Simple.