• Kids can make gift bags.gift bags image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Gift bags make fun, simple party favors, thank-you gifts and "thinking of you" gifts. They are small enough that filling them can stay within your budget, but large enough to place some very thoughtful gifts inside. The bags themselves are inexpensive and can be recycled. If done correctly, they can be as attractive as fancy gift baskets.
  
  Gift bags also make good projects for children. They can color, paint and glue on the paper just as they would other art projects. They can also have fun choosing items to go inside the bags. You can help them make gift bags for one another or for loved ones.
  
  

Animal Bags

• This craft makes an entertaining project for children who love animals. Fill the bags with candy, trinkets and gifts, then fold the corners of the bag's opening down so the top of the bag forms a point. Place a piece of tape on the underside of the point to secure it. The child can then choose any animal he likes, using the point for a nose and the upper corners for ears. Owls are easy; use a yellow, teardrop-shaped piece of paper for a beak and large pieces of brown or colored paper for eyes. The children can paint or glue feathers to the bag. Make a cat by using a pink triangle for the nose and colored triangles for the ears. A curvy piece of paper can serve as the tail. Kids can paint or draw stripes and spots on the cat. Give these gift bags to other animal-lovers or as wrapping for gifts for the family pets.
  
  

Inside-Outside Surprise Bags

• This craft works especially well for artistic older children and teens. The project may take a little time, but can be well worth it when finished. Get some very small envelopes; manila envelopes come in tiny sizes, as do the envelopes used for gift cards. Decorate the fronts of the envelopes, where the flap opens and closes, with paint and glitter. The kids can write hints as to what is inside the envelopes or make a pretty pattern on them. When finished, glue them to the outside of a paper bag. Fill the envelope with tiny gifts such as little pieces of jewelry, photos in thin plastic frames, charms and small pieces of candy. Place a larger gift such as a small photo album or a jewelry box inside the bag. Roll and staple it shut. Tie and glue a satin ribbon to the top.
  
  

Nature Lover's Bag

• A Nature Lover's Bag is perfect for teaching children about plants and recycling. The bags also make thoughtful gifts for gardeners and nature lovers. You will need some paper bags made from 100 percent recycled paper, wax paper and rubber mallets
  
  Go on a nature walk with the children. Help them pick out broad, flat leaves and flowers. Live leaves and flowers work best, especially if making these bags in autumn. Snip the stems from the flowers and arrange them with the leaves in a simple pattern on the bags. Lay wax paper over the leaves and flowers and pound them firmly and steadily with the mallets. Juices from the plant materials should soak into the paper. Compost the flowers and leaves and fill the bags with seed packets, small gardening tools and organic plant vitamins. Fold the bag closed and punch holes through the top. "Stitch" the bag closed with pretty ribbon or twine and tuck dried or silk flowers in the stitches.