Sometimes the craft projects suggested by high-end magazines result in more frustration than fun.

So we're appreciative of a project idea from Child (September issue) that is both unbelievably cute and doable. These brown bag critters (click thumbnail to enlarge) make for cheery school lunches, favor bags, or a creative activity at home.

Have your child decide on an animal, then fold down the top of a lunch bag and trim the end to be round or pointed (depending on the animal). Cut out colorful paper pieces (pretty paper scraps from other projects, wrapping paper, construction paper, stuff from your recycling bin) for the animal appendages (e.g., arms, ears, tail). Adhere the pieces to the bag using double sided tape or washable glue sticks. Create eyes, whiskers, etc... out of craft accessories (e.g., googly eyes, pipe cleaners); or for a low budget approach, draw in these details with markers.