Craft Tutorial: Mini School Bag for First Graders

• A creative gift idea for the first day of schoolThis handmade mini school bag is a lovely alternative to the traditional school cone. Perfect for packing small surprises like sweets, pens, or lucky charms in a stylish way.

  🧰 Materials Needed:

  • 4 sheets of A4 cardstock

  • Ruler, pencil, bone folder

  • Scissors and craft knife

  • Liquid glue (double-sided tape optional)

  • Ribbon (2 cm wide, approx. 2 × 25 cm)

  • 2 brads or star-shaped split pins

  • 2 small magnets (for the closure)

  • Hole punch

  • Corner rounder (optional)

  • Decorative items of your choice (stickers, letters, paper embellishments, etc.)

  📏 Cutting List & Measurements:

  Back piece:30 × 15 cmScore at 6.5 cm / 11.5 cm / 26.5 cm

  Front piece:26 × 15 cmScore at 6 cm / 21 cm

  Bottom:6 × 15 cm

  Inner support:15 × 15 cm

  Side pieces (2x):20 × 10 cmScore 2 cm from both long sides and 5 cm from one short side

  ✂️ Shaping the Side Pieces:

  • Find the center of the 6 cm wide section (between the 2 cm fold lines) – mark at 3 cm

  • Draw a line from the center point to the bottom left corner of the 5 cm folded edge

  • Repeat on the right side (to bottom right corner)

  • Cut away the resulting rectangles

  • Lightly angle the upper edges (optional)

  🧵 Prepare Strap Openings (Back Part):

  • Measure 1 cm from the top and bottom edge

  • From both left and right edges, measure 3 cm inward – mark points

  • From each point, measure 1 cm to the left and right → this creates a 2 cm wide slit

  • Cut or punch the slits

  • Adjust width to match your ribbon size

  🪡 Straps & Handle:

  • Cut 2 ribbons, each 25 cm long

  • Cut cardstock for the handle: 3 × 15 cm

  • Score 1.5 cm from each side lengthwise

  • Punch a hole at each end

  • Round the corners (optional)

  🧲 Attach Magnets for Closure:

  • Mark the magnet positions on the front flap (best at the 6 cm fold line) and matching spots on the front panel

  • Attach magnets using glue or double-sided tape

  • Ensure they align perfectly to create a secure closure

  🧱 Assembly Instructions:

  • Glue the side parts to the front and back panels

  • Attach the bottom piece to the front and back

  • Insert the inner support piece for stability

  • Thread ribbons through the prepared slits and fix inside

  • Attach handle using brads or split pins

  • Fold the front flap down – magnets will secure the bag shut

  🎀 Decoration Tips:

  • Add names or school-themed designs

  • Use stickers, washi tape, or die-cuts

  • Add small charms or good luck tokens

  📌 Important Notes:

  • Ideal as a gift for the first day of school

  • Perfect for small surprises

  • Can be reused for storage later

  • ⚠️ Not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts and magnets

  📌 Here’s the direct link to the tutorial:

  👉 https://youtu.be/DBwD82_NaJc