This is a super fun project for school-age kids!  My son is 9 and he had a blast decorating his backpack.  Granted, he refused to draw a rough draft on a sheet of paper or use a pencil on the backpack first so I was a little frustrated.  But he’s 9.  I’m working on the photographs of his backpack tonight.. check back tomorrow for them!

The Project Backpack contest offers customers a chance to have their Sharpie-Designed backpack reproduced and sold in Office Depot stores nationwide.  A purchase is not required in order to enter the contest but if you purchase a qualifying backpack from Office Depot you get to choose 2 FREE Sharpies to decorate it.  Otherwise, you can download the Sharpie backpack template, decorate it and upload your design. The Grand Prize winner will receive a check in the amount of $5000.

Follow these easy steps to enter the contest:

1. Go to your nearest Office Depot store to pick out the qualifying backpack (sku 789-795) and select 2 FREE Sharpies to decorate it. Click here to find an Office Depot store near you.
2. Decorate your backpack and take a picture of it. Need inspiration? Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com
3. Fill out the online entry form and upload the image of your decorated backpack.
4. If you do not have a qualifying backpack, there is an alternative way to enter the contest. Simply download the Sharpie Backpack template, decorate it and upload your design.

Contest entries are accepted until September 19th, 2009 and there is a judging and voting phase after that.  The finalists will be announced November 15th.

Grand Prize
One (1) Grand Prize will be awarded to the Finalist who receives the most votes. The Grand Prize will consists of a check in the amount of $5,000 for the winner and the winner’s back pack design will be produced and sold in Office Depot stores in 2010.

First Prize
One (1) First Prize will be awarded to the Finalist who receives the second highest quantity of votes. The First Prize will consist of a check in the amount of $3,000.

Second Prize
One (1) Second Prize will be awarded to the Finalist who receives the third highest quantity of votes. The Second Prize will consist of a check in the amount of $2,000.

Check out the Project Backpack website here for contest rules, prize, contest, and voting information.

You can see some inspirational designs here.  Good luck!