by Tammy Lee Morris

Created on: October 13, 2009

When Halloween rolls around, every kid knows the most important item to have - after the costume - is the treat bag. Not just any bag will do, though. It must be a special trick-or-treat bag. Sure, it's easier - and sometimes costly - to walk into a local store and buy a trick-or-treat bag, but it's a whole lot more fun to make your own.

Here are a few pointers for helping your child create a fun trick-or-treat bag to hold those Halloween goodies.You can buy plain paper bags at most discount or dollar stores. I buy brown paper gift bags two for one dollar at the local Dollar Tree. Plain canvas or cotton tote bags can be bought at dollar stores or craft stores. If you're handy with a sewing machine you can even sew up a bag using any type of fabric or felt.

For a fun and unique sewn bag, cut off the leg from a pair of old jeans. Use the lower 12-16 inches for the bag and cut handles from the rest then sew a seam across the bottom. Sew the handles onto the top. You can either finish the seams or leave them ragged for a more fun appearance then decorate the bag however you'd like using fabric paints, glued-on buttons, glitter glue or iron-on patches.

Foam Stickers

Halloween foam stickers can be found at local stores such as WalMart, Target, or Dollar Tree or at craft stores such as JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. I've found bags of foam stickers that include pumpkins, Frankenstein's monster, bags, cats, skeletons, tombstones, and even Scooby Doo. Give each child a plain bag and a pile of foam stickers and let them create their own masterpiece.

Glow-in-the-Dark

Use glow-in-the dark stars purchased at a craft store, dollar store or discount store. Paint your bag with black acrylic paint, or buy a black gift bag. Glue the stars onto the bag for a fun, starry night.Glow-in-the-dark fabric paint can be used for a fun bag. Pour the paint onto a paper plate then have kids dip their hands into the paint, then press their hands firmly onto the gift bag in several places. Try using white or black gift bags for a fun and glowing effect.

Pumpkin Bag

Use orange acrylic paint to paint a brown paper gift bag. Use a black permanent marker to draw and color in the eyes, nose and mouth of a jack-o-lantern. After everything has dried, use a paint brush to brush craft glue onto the orange part then sprinkle glitter onto the glue and allow to dry. Use green acrylic paint to paint the handles for your pumpkin bag.

Bloody Bag

Use red paint to paint around the bottom one or two inches of the

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