Smile Bag Contents and Instructions

• small shampoo (.85 to 1.4 oz size, screw-on top only)
• small comb (no rat tails)
• new wash cloth
• bar of soap (small hotel size) 
• sample size toothpaste (check expiration date - not expired)
• child size toothbrush (single package)
• small stuffed animal (Beanie Baby® size)
• 8 pack box of coloring crayons
• thin 8.5” x 11” coloring book
• small square mirror (approximate size 3”x 3”)

*Operation Smile particularly needs thin coloring books, 8 pack boxes of crayons, small combs and small mirrors for Smile Bags!*

For Smile Bags, keep these guidelines in mind:

Personal hygiene items such as dental floss, body lotion, and baby oil are wonderful items, however, are not included in our Smile Bags. All items we request are the small, travel size for one simple reason—we need to pack 50 smile bags into a box. Large personal hygiene items take up more room.

Any type of food product, like candy and gum, is not packed for Operation Smile missions. Shipping regulations prohibits sending food items across international borders.  These items could cause all of our medical equipment and supplies to be quarantined in customs. 

How to Make Smile Bags

After receiving life-transforming surgery, each child receives a Smile Bag bursting with goodies – including a mirror to see their new smile for the first time - the perfect gift to cheer up a healing child. We need community volunteers to sew cloth Smile Bags.

Smile Bag description:

Smile Bags are 12 inches wide by 14 inches deep, made of sturdy cotton fabric and are closed by a drawstring at the top. The bag is sized to hold a thin, 8.5” x 11” coloring book. 

Follow the instructions below to create your own Smile Bag for donation. Instructions adapted from Drawstring Bag 101: Simple Drawstring Bag with photos by Amy at HappyThings blog. 

What you'll need:

• Smile Bag materials
• sewing machine
• iron and ironing board
• shears or scissors
• sewing pins
• brightly colored, sturdy cotton fabric
• cotton cording or sturdy ribbon
• thread
• Tacky Glue® or Stop Fray®

Step by Step Instructions for Smile Bags:

1.  Cut your fabric to the desired size. Since your bag will be 14"H by 12”W , then you want fabric that is at least 28" plus 3" by 12" plus 1". (31”x13”)

2. Lay your fabric right side down on the ironing board. Fold one of the shorter edges of your fabric up ¼ inch and press. Then fold again 1 inch and press again. This fold will create your casing for the drawstring. Repeat on the other short edge.

3. Sew on top of the fold, close to it, to secure the casing. Be sure to overstitch at the beginning and end (go back and forth to secure your stitches.) This is especially important as the seam will be stressed by pulling the drawstring through it.) 

4. Turn you bag right side out and press seams flat.

5. Fold your bag in half, right sides together. Pin up the sides, stopping where your casing begins. Sew up the sides using a ¼ inch seam, stopping right where your casing begins.

6. Cut 2 pieces of ribbon or cording to desired length. The length is width of your bag x 2 + about 8 more inches for knotting. Put a safety pin through the ribbon or cord. If it is something that frays easily, wrap it with a little tape before inserting the safety pin. To make it easy to pass through the casing, use the biggest safety pin that will fit through your casing easily.

7. Using the safety pin to hold on to, thread your drawstring into the casing, passing it along inch by inch. Go in one side, through to the other side, and come out where you started.

8. Do the same with the other ribbon, but start on the opposite side this time. When you are done, you'll have the picture below.

9. Tie a simple knot to secure your drawstring by holding the two ends of one string even, forming a loop in the ribbon and pulling the end through. You can make the knot quite close to the bag.  Repeat on the other side.

10. Cut the ends of your ribbon off even, an inch from your knot -- or closer/further depending on what you want. If your drawstring ribbon or cord might fray, dab it with a little craft glue (like Tacky Glue®) or fray stopping liquid (such as Stop Fray®) and let it dry.

11. You are done! 

Note: This bag has exposed, unfinished seams on the inside. It is fine for casual use. You could finish the inside seams with a zig-zag stitch or serger to make the bag sturdier.

Shipping Guidelines:

Please ship empty Smile Bags. Operation Smile has a volunteer staff that fills the Smile Bags which ensures that each child on the same mission receives the same items.

When you are ready to ship the Smile Bags, please fill out the Service Project Inventory Sheet to accurately record your efforts. For your records, handmade Smile Bags are valued at $2.00 per bag. Remember to collect donations or work with a local business to cover the cost of packaging and shipping the supplies to Operation Smile international headquarters.

Operation Smile
Attn: WAREHOUSE/Service Project
6435 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk, VA 23509 USA

Need more information? Contact our Donor Relations Team at drelations@operationsmile.org or call 888-677-6453, Monday - Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. EST, Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST for assistance.