Monthly Analog Bags for Kids: A Simple Way to Encourage Offline Creativity
Does your family have an analog bag?
Mine does! Only we just call it the church bag, and it’s an old drawstring backpack full of pens, magazines, and goldfish snacks. It’s a tattered little thing, but it has dutifully seen us through many a Sunday.
The Analog Revival: Why Analog Bags are Trending Right Now
Analog is back—and it's not a phase, mom. Say what you will about trends, but I see them as a collaborative art project between generations. Right now, everyone seems to be placing a higher priority on hand-on creativity. 2026 has become all about less scrolling, more making, and I don’t think it’s a trend that is going to stop any time soon.
In 2010 we had the DIY movement; now we have what I'll call "analog-ing." The trends look similar on the surface, but come from different places. DIY was born out of frugality during a difficult economic period. Analog-ing has been the result of a difficult social period. We are craving slow, real connection to ourselves and each other. So instead of DIY, we now have De-AI.
Using Analog Bags to Encourage Seasonal Creativity
I love this shift toward slow creativity, and I wanted to bring more of it into our home. So I went whole hog and created what I call "Tradition Bags" for my kids: one bag for each month of the year, filled with analog activities and seasonal, themed goodies. The goal is to encourage my kids to reach for creative, hands on activities when they say they are bored instead of a screen.
That's because I believe boredom is really just our body's way of saying, "Okay, I'm done resting. Time to make something now."
A bag for each month is definitely a jump from one tattered drawstring backpack full of goldfish and pens, but it has been totally worth it for my family to invest the time to make these. If you’re ready to make your own, here’s where to begin.
A Huge List of Ideas for What to Include
Whether you are making one bag, or if you are planning to go all-in like I did and making a rotation for your kiddos, here is a giant list of hands-on kids activities and craft supplies to get you started! Many of these items have been winners for my kids over the years, and several are items that I am planning to add to our bags this year as we continue to build them out.
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General Items for Year-Round Activities
Art Supplies
Sketchbooks- my oldest has loved this one!
Craft Supplies + Kits
Yarn (my mom swears by this brand)
Puzzles+ Games
Seasonal Puzzles
Card Games
Science + Discovery
Mini Microscope- my kids have loved these
Toys
Playdough- This is our favorite recipe
Writing and Journaling
Seasonal Activity Items, By Month
January
February
Quote Books on Love- This Fred Rogers one is perfect!
March
Rainbow Suncatchers- I’m eyeing these ones!
Paintable Trinket Treasure Boxes
April
May
How To Draw Spring Things Book
June
July
August
Suncatcher Kits- I loved these as a kid!
September
October
November
December
Enjoy Creating Your Analog Bag(s)!
And that’s the ginormous list!
All that’s left to do now is put it all together and enjoy a few hours of quiet, engaging screen free creativity with your kiddos. *happy, creative sigh*
