Okay, there's no spit, and there's no glue. But there is something inherently amazing about making your own knapsack in a matter of minutes. This is something so camp-worthy we bet L.L. Bean would be jealous. Adapted from a backpack frame of a Stone Age ancestor, and featured in PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGY: A BOOK OF EARTH SKILLS (Gibbs Smith, 1999), this design is clearly time-tested. When my kids made theirs, it inspired an entire day's worth of imaginary hiking fun.

WHAT YOU NEED

Six sturdy sticks; 3 about 1 inch thick, two 22 inches long (smaller for smaller kids), and one 16 inches long or as wide as the child's hips. (Urban version: roll newspaper sheets into "sticks.")
Three 2-foot pieces of twine
Pillowcase
7 yards of clothesline

DIRECTIONS

1. To make your frame, arrange the sticks in a triangle, shorter one across the bottom, with all the ends overlapping. Secure the overlapping points by wrapping twine tightly around each X several times and knotting (see illustration ).

2. Fill your pack (the pillowcase) with whatever camping equipment you need. Tip: A towel or blanket in the bottom will feel better against your back! Fold the top of the pillowcase over so that it "closes" your pack. Center the pillowcase on top of your triangle frame.

3. Attach your pack to the frame using three yards of clothesline (see illustration ). Cut off any excess clothesline when you're done.

4. Use the rest of the clothesline (about four yards) to make the straps. Loop the ends together to make a continuous circle of string. With the frame facing you, loop the clothesline around the top of the frame (see illustration). With your circle of rope hanging down, twist the bottom left to make a loop and fit it over the bottom left crosspiece (see illustration).

5. Repeat on the other side, and the pack is done.

COST: about $6

• Previous: Bike Rodeo
• Next: The Magic Whimmydiddle

You might also like: