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In case you haven’t noticed, plain ol’ ordinary backpacks just aren’t in fashion any
more. Not only do they come in all colors and different patterns, but kids and teens —
and grownups, too! — have taken to decorating their bags to the hilt, in a variety of ways.
DESIGN WITH
SHARPIES
www.artistshelpingchildren.org
From simple designs done by
your grade school kid to fantastic “mu-
rals” produced by your teen, Sharpie
Markers (sets designed specifically for
fabric surfaces, so they will resist fad-
ing in the wash), can turn an ordinary
backpack into a work of art. For basic
directions, visit https://www.sharpie.
com/get-inspired/Personalized+Backp
acks+with+Sharpie.html.
FABRIC PAINT DOTS
We found this simple, yet effective, design at www.parents.
com. Using three different size
foam “pouncers” and craft
paint for fabric, dip the largest
pouncer in paint, dab on paper
to remove excess, then pounce
it onto the bag and let dry. Re-
peat with other sizes.
ADD DECORATIVE PATCHES
Collect patches from places you visit on family vaca-
tions, or purchase many of the fun ones available online that
suit your child’s particular interests. Add them to the pack in
a pleasing arrangement that will distinguish your child’s bag
from any other! https://honestlywtf.com/diy/kids-patches-
diy-backpack/
CHARMS DIY
Charms and tags
hanging from the zippers on packs are
also popular and can be purchased, or made from craft materi-
als you have on hand if you have the creative urge. Check out
how this charm was made from beads, yarn, string, and a lobster
clasp or “bag charm clip.” https://www.redtedart.com/colourful-
purse-charms-zipper-pulls/?cn-reloaded=1
BUTTONS, BUTTONS!
If buttons appeal to your child, pinning them to their
pack is another distinctive way to decorate a packpack.
Start a collection, or purchase whole packs online like
this selection from an Etsy shop found at https://www.
etsy.com/shop/ParrCraft which also has pins, as well.
What’s New...
IN THE KIDBIZ
SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE’S
14TH ANNUAL MUSEUM DAY
OFFERS FREE TICKETS
Tickets for Smithsonian maga-
zine’s 14th annual Museum Day are
now available for download. Muse-
um-goers can head to the Museum
Day website (www.smithsonianmag.
com/museumday) to download one
free ticket, good for two people.
Each ticket grants the ticket
holder, and one guest, free access to
any participating museum on Satur-
day, September 22, 2018. One ticket
is permitted per email address.
In Western New York, participat-
ing museums (as of our print date)
include Herschell Carrousel Mu-
seum, Niagara History Center, Buf-
falo Niagara Heritage Village, Erie
Canal Discovery Center, The Buffalo
History Museum, Burchfield Penney
Art Center, Museum of disABILITY
History, Albright-Knox Art Gallery,
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site,
Buffalo Museum of Science, Colored
Musicians Club Jazz Museum, Nash
House Museum, Buffalo Harbor Mu-
seum.
Museum Day celebrates the
extraordinary power of museums to
provide visitors with insight and in-
spiration, and the event represents
a national commitment to access,
equity and inclusion. Over 1,250 mu-
seums across the nation have regis-
tered to date.
FINANCIAL PLANNING
SEMINAR FOR
THE ADOPTIVE FAMILY
New parents, especially new
adoptive parents need to consider
several things related to the finan-
cial security of their family. Adop-
tion STAR will hold a webinar on
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at
6pm. This class will be facilitated by
adoptive parents - Amy Jo Lauber, a
financial advisor and Mark Tronconi,
an accountant. They will focus on
financial planning for your family’s
future, applying for the adoption tax
credit, and general financial matters.
For more info or to register contact
Adoption STAR at 716-639-3900 or
email [email protected].
September 2018 WNY Family 5