"I have used these for several previous birthday parties, as party favor bags, and have never had a problem. Of course, these can't be used as regular backpacks for school, etc, but the kids always like them. They are great for collecting pinata prizes and then adding party favors. Sometimes I've let the kids decorate them, as a party activity. Once, when my son had a "difficult" party theme (just dragons), he and I decorated them ahead of time, using a dragon stamp and fabric paint. (We had a different craft activity.) We used the bags as party favor bags that matched the party theme. They were a big hit. I just bought these again, for my son's upcoming party and we might decorate them again, ahead of time, because most 9-year-old boys don't enjoy crafts anymore, but my son does. After the parties, my sons have used their bags to store their rock collections, toys, pirate booty, etc. They have some that are at least 5 years old, and they've held up fun."