Recycle last year's lunch box and create a new, more personalized lunch box for the kids. This is a fun school-related craft idea for kids since they have lots of input into what their newest lunchtime accessory will look like.

Check out our complete listing of great Back-to-School crafts and other activities for fun ideas to do with the kids.

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Peel the plastic coating off of the picture on the lunchbox. You may need the putty knife to help get an edge to grab onto. All the plastic coating must be off before the next step.
2. In a well ventilated area, liberally spray the 3M penetrant on the area where the picture was located. Let set overnight for penetrant to completely release the adhesive.
3. Using the putty knife, run it across the lunchbox to peel up the rest of the paper and remove the glue residue. Wipe the putty knife off with a paper towel. If needed, repeat steps 2 and 3 until residue is completely removed.
4. Using the cleaning liquid, spray down the area of the design. Wipe and dry completely with paper towels. Finish cleaning the entire lunchbox with the cleaning liquid and paper towels.
5. Measure the inset area that the picture was located in. Take off 1/2" off the height and width. This space will be needed to completely seal the design under Con-Tact paper.
6. Using a graphics program, let the child design their new lunchbox! Another alternative is to give the child the sticker page, after cutting to size, and let them use markers or colored pencils to create their design. You can also get graphics from clip art, from the internet, or scan artwork that the child has created, or scan a picture of the child and/or maybe one of her and her friends together! Be sure to let the child PICK what he or she wants on the lunchbox, remember the child will be the one carrying it to school each day!
7. I suggest printing out the design in black & white (or coloring book mode) to check the sizing. Compare it to the space on the lunchbox, and adjust on screen accordingly. This may take a few attempts to get the size correct. Then print out in full color on the sticker sheet.
8. Cut the sticker sheet to the correct size (remember the 1/2" allowance). Apply sticker carefully.
9. Cut a piece of Con-Tact paper the full size of the picture area on the lunchbox. Slowly peeling a little bit of the paper backing off at a time, apply over the picture, sealing the picture behind the Con-Tact paper. Be sure to press firmly around all edges to seal the picture in and to avoid getting moisture behind and ruining the picture.
10. Take that lunchbox or treat box to school and show it off! You will have a lunchbox like no other!!!

Tips:

If you don't have a lunchbox to recycle, check out your local garage sales. We have been able to pick them up for 50 cents to up to a dollar. We also use these lunchboxes to hold small cars, play sets with a lot of pieces, small train sets, small books, and toys for the car. The handle makes the lunchbox a great storage and carrying case! Get several and let your kids organize away! Let them design new covers with pictures of what is stored inside.