We have written before about the myriad benefits of duct tape. It can temporarily patch a blister; it can fortify jeans and shoes for heavy usage; and it can even help when you’re camping. In addition to all this, duct tape can help provide easy, low-cost entertainment for kids and adults alike. As the summer draws to a close, here are some easy duct tape crafts that can help kids get excited for the coming school year.
Duct tape school supplies
Around this time of year, many stores offer huge discounts on standard school supplies like notebooks, pencil cases, and pencils. The only drawback is the “standard” bit; discount items are typically only available in plain colors, or even a single color (for instance, the classic black-and-white composition notebook). Helping kids adorn their school supplies with duct tape is a win-win: it helps them express their individual tastes and preferences, and it helps keep their stuff from getting mixed up with anyone else’s. For some inspiration, check out this school supply makeover posted on the Happiness is Homemade blog.
Duct tape lunch bags
Add a little color to lunch time with some reusable duct tape lunch bags. All you’ll need is a template, some scissors, and about 3 rolls of duct tape. First, print out the template found here. Cover one side of the template completely with tape, and cut off the excess. Then, flip the template over, and repeat. Fold the top flap down, flatten it to make a crease, and your waterproof duct tape bags are ready to store tiny snacks, paperclips, or other small items. Visit The Gracious Wife blog for step-by-step instructions and photos.
Duct tape rose pens
Some red and green duct tape can turn an ordinary pen into a beautiful rose. This is a great craft for kids that can also double as Valentine’s Day or party handouts. Put a bunch together in a jar, and you have a beautiful, heartfelt Mother’s Day or Teacher Appreciation gift. As an added bonus, your child won’t constantly be losing pens to friends who “borrow” them and forget to return them—a rose-capped pen is a lot easier to keep track of. View step-by-step instructions, along with pictures, on the official Duck Tape website.
Duct tape pencil pouch
Not only can you adorn an existing pencil pouch with duct tape, you can fully make one, too. There are a lot of duct tape pencil pouch tutorials around the internet, but we think this one has the most attractive final product. You’ll need a scrap of fabric to serve as the inner lining of the pouch, and some Velcro dots to hold it closed. Another cool option is this pennant-shaped pencil pouch, inspired by old-school, triangular college pennants. And finally, this roll-up pencil pouch from Duck Brand is a neat option for budding artists big and small.
Duct tape bracelets
Back-to-school season is also a time for making new friends, and duct tape crafts like these duct tape zig-zag bracelets are a great activity that help kids get to know each other. For something a little more simple, try these braided duct tape bracelets or these fish scale tape bracelets. And if your child is really young, but still wants to have fun sticking tape on stuff, making these bangle bracelets is a pretty easy feat for any age level. You can also try making duct tape necklaces, duct tape beads, and all sorts of other accessories.
Duct tape baskets
https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/diagonally-woven-duck-tape-baskets/
If you’re looking for a duct tape craft that’s a little more challenging—but still entirely doable—this a good one. Kids aged 12 to 15 enjoy laying duct tape strips out in a grid shape, then weaving them into a cute basket. The basket can be used to store small school supplies, like eraser tips, or used as a gift basket later in the year. The same principle—weaving long strips of tape—can also be applied to make many other things, like tote bags, messenger bags, and wallets.
Tips for using duct tape with kids
Here are some final thoughts that can help you make your duct tape crafting sessions easier.
- Store your tape in an air-conditioned, dark place. High heat can turn duct tape’s adhesive into a sticky, frustrating mess. UV light from the sun can also degrade its quality.
- Stay organized by keeping your tape on a rack or bar. A horizontal paper towel holder can work great for this purpose.
- You can make it easier to pull up a new piece of tape by placing a paper clip underneath the edge that will need to be lifted, or by folding down its corner.
- Sticky duct tape residue can be removed with oil-based lubricants like WD-40 and Goo Gone. Just make sure they’re stored out of the reach of children.
- Note that duct tape adhesive is an industrial adhesive, and has been known to cause allergic reactions when it is applied to the skin. Encourage children not to stick the tape directly on themselves, and supervise them while they are using it.
We hope that this article has given you some good craft ideas, and that you and your kids (or students, or nannying charges) can build some fun memories while making them. From all of us at SSI Packaging, good luck in the new school year!
SSI Packaging is a packaging supply company based in Richmond, V.A. We offer everything small businesses need to label, pack, and track their products, including duct tape. To learn more about us and what we do, click here.