Want to make your backpack stand out when school begins in August, or do you just need a new way to remember important information? Make a few backpack danglers in a handful of styles. The personalized touch will make your bag extra special this fall -- and you can perfect a new craft the last few weeks of summer.

ASSORTED BACKPACK DANGLERS

Supplies you'll need:

Assorted lettered or colored beads

Buttons with large threading loops in back

Large safety pins (2-inch-long pins are sold at craft stores)

Small key rings or lanyard hooks

Beading cord or hemp thread

Elastic cord

Scissors

Optional supplies for Idea No. 5:

Shrinkable plastic (such as Shrinky Dinks)

Colored markers or colored pencils

Rubber stamps

Hole punch

Cookie sheet

Foil, brown paper grocery bag or parchment paper

Idea No. 1: Attach a length of beading cord or hemp thread to a small key ring or lanyard hook. Attach beads and buttons as desired. Knot cord beneath the last bead.

Idea No. 2: Fold 10 inches of elastic cord in half and loop it securely onto the non-opening side of a safety pin by stringing the two loose ends through the loop. Thread beads onto the cord, leaving room at the bottom to finish with a colorful button, if desired; knot the cord at the bottom. Repeat with two or more strands.

Idea No. 3: Working with idea No. 2 and lettered beads, ask your child to spell her name on one strand, then spell attributes about herself on subsequent strands.

Idea No. 4: Disguise a phone number or locker combination by using idea No. 1 above and the following secret code: A1; B2; C3; D4; E5; F6; G7; H8; I9; J0. For a phone number, follow the above key and select the appropriate letter for each numeral. Use ornamental beads as spacers between the area code, exchange and last four digits. For a locker combination, use the letters to form double-digit numbers, if needed, stringing spacer beads between them.

Idea No. 5: Incorporate shrinkable plastic artwork on any of the above danglers by punching holes into the objects before shrinking them. The plastic shrinks to about a third its size when baked, which means young artists must make extra-large artwork. Encourage kids to draw their favorite things or stamp images that kids can color in. Protect your cookie sheet with foil, brown paper or parchment paper.

(Adapted from Family Fun magazine.)

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