So many plastic grocery bags, So few things to do with them?

Throw the best birthday party ever!

• Birthday Themes »
• 1st Birthday Themes »
• Baby Shower Themes »

NOT any more...  our readers sent us a lot of ideas...

Plastic Grocery Bags, NO Kidding!

Caution:
Plastic Bags must
be kept out of the reach
of babies, toddlers and young children!

Holiday Decorations

Wreaths (any season of the year)
Cut 1-1/2-inch strips width-wise and attach by knotting each strip onto a wire hanger bent into a circle.  Use various length strips and squeeze them on the hanger until it is full.  After all strips have been attached, spray paint with seasonal colors (red/green/gold for Christmas; pink/yellow/green for Easter, etc.)  Allow paint to dry overnight and attach florist wire to form a hanger.  Decorate the wreath with dried flowers, seasonal mini items, ribbons, bows, candy canes...

Mini Real Snow Snowmen
Fill various size bags with snow and roll to form a ball within the bag.  Stack on top of each other to form a snowman, use waterproof paint to dress and decorate your snowman (or snow woman, or snow children, or snow pets...)

Halloween Pumpkins
Stuff a plastic bag with other plastic bags or newspapers till full.  Add a few rocks to the bottom to keep it from rolling or blowing away.  Tie the handles together securely to form a rounded shape.  Spray paint Orange and decorate like a carved  pumpkin, using permanent markers, construction paper, material.  Easy and fun for children.

Halloween Child Scarecrow
Using children's clothing, socks and shoes, stuff each item with plastic bags to form a "child-size" scarecrow for the front porch!

Halloween Ghosts
Fill a plastic bag one-third full and tie securely with ribbon, yard, string to form the head.  Cut off the handles.  Use pinking shears or other decorative scissors around the edges.  Hang from trees in your yard to create a spooky effect.

Ghost Windsock
Cut a two-liter plastic soda bottle in half.  Use the bottom piece for the ghost top and paint the inside white (also makes this weatherproof).  Glue strips of plastic grocery bags to inside the lower rim of the soda bottle.  Decorate as desired.

Garlands
Cut into round circles.  Insert a needle with heavy thread through the middle of each circle to form a garland.  These are pretty and can be used on the Bride/Groom's car.

Holiday Cookie Containers
Reverse the bag so it is all white.  Let children decorate the outside of the bags with permanent marking pens, stickers, glue, glitter, etc. to make holiday bags.  Insert a plate of cookies and tie off with a ribbon and gift tag.

Fake Snow
Use a paper punch or scissors to create small pieces to resemble snow for decorations.

Gift Baskets
Crumple plastic bags as a filler in deep baskets, cover with material or tissue paper and put gift items on top.

Thanksgiving Vests
Cut handles off.  Carefully cut into a vest to fit children... let the children decorate while the turkey is cooking.

Gifts

Paperweights
Using small circles cut from the bag and decorate one side using permanent color marking pens.  Lay plastic flat and put a rock in the center (or use sand).  Bring all edges up and over the rock and secure securely with yarn, ribbon or colored string. 

Purses
Cut into strips and crochet.

Placemats, Doilies, Bathmats, Sun Hats, Area Rugs, Coat Hanger Covers
Cut bags into strips and knit.

Mailing Packages
Crumple up plastic bags and use as fillers to keep items/gifts secure to avoid damage during shipping.  The plastic bags are so lightweight, they do not add to the weight of the package.

Pet Toys for Cats
Using felt, cut into desired design and sew around the edges, leaving a hole for stuffing.  Cut plastic bags into small strips and stuff toy.  Sew the opening securely.  Cats love the crinkly sound and the pliability.

Bath Salts -- Easy way to fill jars
Mix bath salts in a plastic bag.  When thoroughly mixed, snip a small hole in one corner and use to gently fill decorative jars and bottles for gifts.

Household

Window Valences
Stuff inside fabric window valences to make them appear fuller.

Small Trash Containers
Use as liners.  Store unused grocery bags beneath the one currently being used to collect garbage.  When it is removed, tied and ready to be thrown away, another plastic bags awaits easy insertion.

Pots & Pans Scrubber
Cut into 3/4-inch strips.  Crochet strips in a chain stitch to length desired.  Roll into a ball and secure with another piece of plastic strip.

Linen Closet
Store clean linens, such as tablecovers, napkins, etc. to keep them dust-free and ready to use at a moment's notice.

Diapers
Use in baby's room for dirty throw-away diapers.

Litter Box
Use to dump the old cat litter.

Storage
Use bags to store items, such as crafts, seasonal decorations, etc. and label for easy retrieval when stored on shelves in the garage.  Can stack more bags than boxes.

Stamping
Crumple a plastic bag into various size balls or pieces to fit into your hand.  Dip into paint for versatile textures for walls, furniture.  Before beginning, place a plastic bag over each hand and use a rubber band to go over the bag to the wrist.  No more messy hands!

Freezer Organization
When purchasing large quantities of meat, chicken, pork chops, etc., section out into family or individual portions.  Wrap for freezer storage and put all the same kind of item in a plastic bag, for instance, all the bags are chicken legs or pork chops.  Set up on freezer shelves and mark with permanent marker or tag.  No need to sort through stacks of packages -- just reach into the bag to get the items you want.

Seasonal Floral Arrangements
Use plastic bags to cover.  For larger arrangements and artificial holiday trees, cut bags and tape bags together around the objects.

No More Phantom Socks
On the inside door handle of each bedroom, attach a plastic bag to the door knob.  Ask everyone to put their socks in the bag and ask them to remember that when they do put socks in the bag, there should be "two" socks.  Makes life simpler for the laundry person.

Windy Cracks
Roll plastic gags into tight strips and insert them into door cracks and other cold drafty spaces.

Cake Decorating
Cut out piece of plastic, wash thoroughly and dry.  Create a funnel shape and tape securely with masking or duct tape.  Cut a small hole on the smallest end, insert a decorating tip and use as a pastry bag for decorating cakes and cookies.

Potty Chairs
Place a plastic bag over the bowl insert.  Easy clean-up!

Kid's Bike Handles
Use a plastic bag and cut off the handles.  Cut up the sides to make strips but not all the way to the top.  Secure to bike handles to duct tape or colored electrical tape.  Use glittery-colored pipe cleaners for added pizazz on the handles.

Gardens

Throw-Away Boots
Place one foot inside a plastic bag and use handles to tie securely to your leg.  Repeat for the other foot.  Easy to step into your garden where areas are muddy and upon returning to your house, remove each bag, turn inside out and toss into the garbage.

Glove Liners
Insert into gardening (or snow) gloves for insulation.

Mini Greenhouses
Great when trying to root small cuttings in a pot.  Fill pot with soil and moisten.  Insert cutting(s) into the soil and place a plastic bag over the whole container, tucking open end under the pot.  The bag can be lifted off if the soil needs to be watered.  It is easy to see when the cuttings begin to sprout without removing the bag.

Flower Pot Containers
Line flower pots with plastic grocery bags for plants that need a moist/boggy soil to survive.  Works well for indoor plants, too. 

Automobile & Travel

Litter Bags
Use one in the front seat area and one in the back seat area.  Store unused ones in the glove compartment or console to quickly/easily replace the filled trash bags to be thrown away.  Easy throw-away idea... teach the children that when the bag is filled, tie it tightly and toss in the grocery store garbage container usually found just outside the store's entry. 

Toy Bags
Small items, such as books, soft toys, etc. to keep the kids occupied

Treasure Bags
If you are planning a long trip, pack bag with small surprises the child can use at area rest stops or when they get to their final destination as their reward for being patient.

Rain Hats
Keep some plastic bags in the car for windy or rainy days.  Cut one side of bag, place over head and use handles to tie under the chin.

Hand Puppets
Turn bag inside out and put over another adult's hand.  Tie with a ribbon or yard at the wrist.  Decorate with colored markers, construction paper, etc. to create animals, boys, or girl puppets.

Kid's Back Pack
Let children take their very special toys, books, etc., with them.  They can insert their arms through the handle holes to wear on their back.

Personal

Hair Coloring
Use as a cap when hair needs to be wrapped and time after tint application

Lunch Bags
Great for working people to bring leftovers, salad, fruit and a drink.

Craft Ideas

Paper Mache
Use plastic bags as stuffing to create forms for paper mache crafts.  A fun one is called "FAT CAT".  Stuff a bag full of other bags or newspapers to make the cat's body.  Form a smaller bunch into a ball shape for his head.  Cut a paper towel tube in half lengthwise to use for legs (stuff the backs with more plastic bags to round body out).  Cut two half-moon shapes out of leftover cardboard tubing and tape in place for ears.  Use plentiful amounts of tape to shape and form your balls and bunches into a cat shape, then cover with several (at least four) layers of paper mache (the more and the smoother, the better).  Use plain paper for the last layer or two if your finish color will be liht, otherwise newsprint can take several coats to cover.

Stamping
Crumple a plastic bag into a ball.  Using another plastic bag, cut out different sizes, making them each into a ball.  Dip balls in stamp pad ink and decorate wrapping paper, plastic table covers, cards, art, etc.

Candles
Bunch them up and use as molds.

Ball Painting
Roll a plastic bag into a ball and tape with small piece of masking tape.  Make many balls.  Outside, spread an old plastic cover on the ground or picnic table.  Supply finger paints and large pieces of paper.  Let the children roll the plastic balls in the paint or paint directly onto the ball with brushes -- then roll the plastic painted ball onto paper to create artistic designs.

Children-Size Horse
Stuff bags with other bags, wind to form legs, tail, , etc., and tape to a wrapping paper tube.   Use handles for ears.  Add eyes, nose, color with permanent marking pens and let the kids gallop around the yard.

Windsocks
Stuff a bag with other plastic bags or newspapers and tie handles together.  Kids can paint and decorate for the seasons.  Attach a small, medium and round bag together to form a snowman.  Attach many together to form a train or snake.  The wind will move them around and kids love them!

Octopus
Place a ball in the middle of a plastic bag.  Use string to tie the ball securely so it doesn't move (octopus head).  Cut strips in the remaining part of the bag and braid to form eight legs.

Flowers
Cut bags into small thin strips.    Gather all the strips together on top of one another and using a twist tie (produce section of your market), wrap around the center of the strips.  Twist tightly to secure all the strips together.  Gently separate the strips to form the flower.

Flowers
Use wire (craft store) or hangers to bend into round shapes -- various size circles to form small to large flowers.  Cut grocery bags into four-inch wide strips, about six-to-eight inches long.  Knot a strip on the wire circle and wrap the strip to cover all of the wire.  Using another strip, do the same thing but leave a loop each time the plastic strip is formed around the circle (to create petals).  These can be decorated with colored markers.  Attach to a florist wire (wrapped in green florist tape) to each flower as a stem.  Decorate clean, dry juice bottles as vases.

Craft Supplies
Use to store by craft categories, such as embroidery thread, glues, buttons, fabric, stamps, etc.

Plastic Art
Let children cut out shapes from plastic bags, color with permanent marking pens and glue to construction paper to create art pieces.

Paint Smock
Use a bibs or tape some bags together to protect children's clothing.

Party Ideas

Loot Bags
Turn bags inside out and give each birthday party guests permanent colored markers and stickers to decorate their own loot bags.  If the party has a theme, ask children to decorate for that theme and award prizes to everyone (prettiest, most colorful, funniest, etc.)

Luau Party
Cut bags to make flat pieces and spray paint green.  After it is dry, cut into thin strips.  Can be used for a grass skirt as part of a costume or to trim the buffet table.

Leis
Fold the plastic garbage bag like a fan, then fold it in half and tie the top of the bag with a rubber band (leave a loop on top), secure on a piece of rope through the loop and puff each folded bags.

Wigs
Cut an upside down "U"-shaped face opening on one side, then cut strips almost to the top on the other side.  These strips (hair) can be braided or twisted for a fabulous hair-do!

Ghost Costumes
Use plastic bags between the liner and fabric of the ghost costume to give it a more bubbly effect.

Scavenger Hunts
Give an empty bag to each person along with the Scavenger List of things to find for easy carrying.  For Scavenger Hunt Lists and ideas, visit

Bean Bag Games
Cut small rectangles or squares from white or light color fabric, hot-gun gluing all the edges except for a small hole.  Stuff with plastic bags.  Supply permanent markers for the kids to decorate their own bean bag.  Set up games, using a bucket for them to toss bag into, or several buckets (each a different point) to score their totals.

Corsages
Cut small pieces and crumple up into small flowers.  Use florist tape on one end of flowerette to secure.  Place several flowers together and secure with florist tape.  Add artificial leaves, baby breath, netting and ribbon.

Confetti
Spray paint and when completely dry, cut into confetti pieces.

Pom Poms for Sports Party and Games
Cut plastic bag into strips, tie at one end and voila', a pom pom!

Doll Fashion Show
For older children, only:  Give kids some plastic bags, scissors, marking pens, stickers and dolls (like a Barbie doll).  Let them wrap, pin, glue clothes and make a wardrobe... have a fashion show!

Camping and Outdoors

Seat Cushions
Stuff with plastic bags, tie off and use as an all-purpose seat cushion.  Use to cover seat cushions to protect them from dirt, mud, etc.

Feet Protectors
Put one bag over each foot, use handles to tie securely.  Great for muddy areas or winter to keep children's shoes dry from the snow and rain.

Gloves, Boots and Sleeves
Insert pieces of plastic into gloves, boots and coat sleeves for insulation from the cold. 

Table Top Garbage Disposal
Fit a plastic bag over a plastic bowl.  Scrape cooking scraps and leftovers into it.  Tie securely and re-wrap in another plastic bag.  Less tempting to animals.

Toys

Parachute Soldiers
Cut rectangle from plastic bag (eyeball to size of toy soldier) and using thread/needle, form parachute ropes and attach to the toy doll.  Older children can make these themselves once they see it done and will spend hours making and tossing their soldiers in the air.

Stuffed Animals
NOT for babies, toddlers and small children. 
Many of our readers use plastic bags for stuffing animals and children's floor pillows.

Kites
Turn bags inside out so they are all white, no writing printed on them.  Let the kids decorate with permanent marking pens or paint.  After the bags are dry, tie handles together and attach a long kite string.  Construction paper "kite tails" can be added.  Kids love to run and pull these behind them.

Kites
Tie the ends of a ten-inch piece of kite string to the handles of a plastic bag.  Tie a roll of kite string to the piece of string attached to the plastic bag.

Recycle an Old Kite
Use plastic bags over the wood frame for a brand new kite.

Jump Rope
Cut plastic bag into long strips and braid.  Using three of these braided ropes -- braid into one jump rope.

Recyle

Grocery Store Recyling Centers
Stuff into one plastic bag and when full, take with you to the grocery store.

Bagging Groceries
Bring with you to have your groceries bagged in them.

Other Recyclables
Use bags to hold other items for recycling, such as soda pop cans, newspapers.

Library
Call your local library and ask if they want the plastic bags; many like to have them to offer to people borrowing books to make it easier for them to carry.

Doggie Bags
Send your dinner guests home with leftovers!