Dora Backpack

Kids will love being just like Dora. Create Backpack with foamie sheets and easy stitching that even kids can do.

Mermaid Adventure Sun., 6/23 @ 7PM ET on Nick Jr.

Materials

• Three sheets (12 in. by 18 in.) of thick purple craft foam (available at craft stores)
• One small sheet each of red, yellow, and white craft foam
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Stapler
• Fat purple yarn
• Craft glue (optional)
• 3 1/2-in. strip of self-adhesive Velcro
• Permanent markers
• Backpack and Map Templates
• Plain white paper

Directions

1. Step 1

   Cut two 2- by 18-inch strips from the long edge of one of the purple sheets to use for Backpack's straps. Set them aside.

2. Step 2

   Cut a 10 1/2-inch square from the second sheet of purple craft foam to use for the front of Backpack; set them aside. Cut a 10 1/2- by 15-inch rectangle from the third sheet of purple craft foam to use for the back of the Backpack. Lay the square on top of the rectangle so that the rectangle's extra 3 inches hang over the top. Fold these 3 inches down over the square to form Backpack's flap. Round the edges of the flap with scissors. (See the photo above for reference). Using a hole punch, make holes through both sheets along the three straight edges, about 1 inch apart. (This is where you'll lace the yarn.)

3. Step 3

   Staple the ends of the foam strips from Step 1 to the back of rectangle, avoiding the flap, to form Backpack's straps.

4. Step 4

   Cut a 1- by 7-inch strip from the leftover purple craft foam to use for Map's strap. Staple the ends of the strap together to form a circle and then staple this loop to front of the square on the left side.

5. Step 5

   Line up the holes on the square and rectangle and lace them together with purple yarn. Attach Velcro strips to the inside of the flap and to the top of the square, making sure the two halves line up before you adhere them.

6. Step 6

   Print the Backpack & Map Templates. Cut out Map template and roll it into a tube with Map's face visible on top of it. With permanent markers, draw the features onto Backpack or cut out the shapes on Backpack template and trace them onto the craft foam. Use red foam for the mouth, yellow for the eyebrows, and white for the eyes. Glue them on with craft glue.