You'll need:

a cardboard pencil box, or cigar box

paint

glue (Elmer's or craft glue)

water

Contact paper

Optional: paint, magazine cutouts, stickers

The first part of this project is to be done with your children. Help them paint the box a base color-any favorite color will do. Allow it to dry. At this point you can do SO many things. They can glue buttons, beads, sequins, glitter, etc. on the box itself. Keep in mind that you don't want to make it too cluttered, but let them be creative. You can use stickers or pictures that have been cut out of magazines as well. To seal over these, mix one cup glue to 1/2 cup water and dip your cut-outs into the glue mixture. Smooth them onto the lid, and allow this to dry. You can also shellac the entire box when it's finished. For small kids, you can even keep it as simple as drawing pictures on the box! Set the boxes aside, because the next step is just for you.

Find a family picture, one of everyone waving at the camera is great. Measure the inside front cover of the pencil box and carefully cut a piece of clear contact paper to that size. Place your picture in the center of the box lid (you want space on all sides). You can glue it into place if you wish to help hold it in place. Lay your piece of contact paper, sticky side down, over the picture and the inside lid. Smooth it down very carefully until it's attached firmly and there are no air bubbles.

If possible, do this the night before school, and fill it with pencils, erasers, a small ruler, crayons etc. When your child gets to school and opens their new box they will see their family smiling at them while they start a new day of learning!

About the Author:

Brenda Hyde is Mom to three little ones, a freelance writer and editor here at OldFashionedLiving.