DIY Paper Bag Backpack Craft Inspired by My Father’s Dragon

On Nov 11th, My Father’s Dragon was released on Netflix. This movie is based off of the book My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. When Elmer and his mother lose their business and move to the city, Elmer struggles to cope. Eventually, he can take the insanity no longer and looks for a way to bring back what he once had. To make his dream possible, a cat, voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, tells him of a Dragon that needs rescuing. This Dragon could possibly grant his wish. With his future on the line, Elmer goes on an adventure to the Wild Island where he discovers ferocious beasts, weird friends, and of course the dragon voiced by Gaten Matarazzo.

I need to take a moment and fan girl for a second… Gaten Matarazzo portrays my favorite character from Stranger Things. When I heard his voice pop out of the dragon, I have to admit, I shouted to my family, “That’s Gaten! That’s Gaten!”

Fan girl moment over.

In celebration of the release of My Father’s Dragon, here is a fun craft to make Elmer’s backpack out of a paper bag and a few printable characters.

To make the DIY Paper Bag Backpack you will need:

  • Printable character sheet
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • tape
  • paper lunch bag

Click the image below to download the instructions and the printable character sheet. Then print and create!

More bout My Father’s Dragon:

RELEASE DATE: On Netflix in November 11

BASED ON THE BOOK: My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett

DIRECTOR: Nora Twomey

WRITER: Meg LeFauve

PRODUCERS: Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn, Paul Young

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Meg LeFauve, John Morgan, Tomm Moore, Gerry Shirren, Ruth Coady, Alan Moloney

CAST: Jacob Tremblay, Gaten Matarazzo, Golshifteh Farahani, Dianne Wiest, Rita Moreno, Chris O’Dowd, Judy Greer, Alan Cumming, Yara Shahidi, Jackie Earle Haley, Mary Kay Place, Leighton Meester, Spence Moore II, Adam Brody, Charlyne Yi, Maggie Lincoln, Jack Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Ian McShane

SYNOPSIS: From five-time Academy Award®-nominated animation studio Cartoon Saloon (The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers) and Academy Award®-nominated director Nora Twomey (The Breadwinner), comes an exquisite film inspired by the Newbery-honored children’s book from author Ruth Stiles Gannett. Struggling to cope after a move to the city with his mother, Elmer runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon who waits to be rescued. Elmer’s adventures introduce him to ferocious beasts, a mysterious island and the friendship of a lifetime