18 Back to School Crafts for Kids: DIY Fun to Survive the Chaos with Glitter and Giggles
Introduction to Back to School Crafts
Back to school season is an exciting time for kids, and what better way to kick it off than with some fun and creative school crafts? School crafts are a perfect way to get kids excited about learning and to help them develop their fine motor skills. From paper plate apple crafts to pencil crafts, there are countless ideas to choose from. In this section, we’ll explore some of the best back to school crafts to get your kids started on the right foot. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, these crafts are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face. So, let’s dive in and discover the world of back to school crafts, including a fun school bus craft to decorate the classroom.
The back to school season is back, especially with the excitement of the first day of school which means our calendars are about to explode with shopping lists, supply runs, and all the feels! Here are some fun ideas to make the most of it. Seriously, it can get a little overwhelming—for us and the kids.
These crafts are perfect for easing the transition during the first week of school, helping kids feel more comfortable and excited about the new school year.
1) DIY Beaded Doll Pencil Toppers
How cute are these little beaded doll pencil toppers? We could make a whole parade of these and never get bored.
All we need are some wooden beads, markers, string, and a bit of imagination. Let’s get crafty and put faces on those beads!
Each doll can match our mood—or just cover our pencils in a rainbow of happy faces. Perfect for back to school vibes and super easy for students to join in on the fun, this easy craft is a great way to get creative.
Check out this step-by-step inspo for DIY beads dolls pencil toppers.
2) Lunch Money Pouch Sewing Project
Let’s be real—kids always lose their lunch money. That’s why we love making our own lunch money pouches.
They’re super cute, zip up tight, and can hook right onto a backpack. The kids can pick their own fabric and get creative with decorations. This project is not only fun but also helps improve hand-eye coordination as kids work on their sewing skills.
3) Reusable Snack Bags with Fabric Paint
We all love a good craft that actually saves us money on school supplies (and maybe a trip to the store). That’s why reusable snack bags decorated with fabric paint are our new obsession!
We just grab some plain fabric and whip out the paint. Polka dots, doodles, pizza slices—whatever speaks to our crew! Painting these snack bags is a fun and creative way to personalize them.
These snack bags are beginner-friendly for sewing—just straight lines, nothing fancy. Check out this easy sewing guide for snack bags.
4) Button Art Back to School Signs
Button art back to school signs are just plain fun, especially for teachers looking for a creative art project. We grab some buttons, glue, and let the kids go wild—no art degree needed.
We can spell out their grade or even their name with buttons. Everyone’s projects come out different, and that’s the best part.
If you want extra ideas, button art crafts are always a hit with families and kiddos.
5) Rock Candy Science Experiment
Who doesn’t love a craft you can actually eat? Rock candy is a fun science craft that doubles as a sweet treat for the first day of school.
We just need sugar, water, a jar, and a stick—super easy! We mix up a sugar solution, let it cool, and then watch crystals grow like magic over a few days. Watching the crystals grow brings the science to life, making it a magical and educational experience for kids.
Check out this simple rock candy experiment for steps.
6) Color Wheels Craft for Learning Time
Color wheels are classic and actually super fun, helping develop fine motor skills! We get to mix and match colors, which always ends up with giggles and a few, um, “interesting” shades.
Making a color wheel lets our kids try their art skills, learn about color theory, and get a little messy. Creating a color wheel also introduces kids to geometric design, helping them understand shapes and patterns in a fun way.
We love how creating color wheel art projects sneaks in a big learning moment without feeling too school-ish.
7) Fall Resin Flowers Decoration
Hear us out—resin crafts are way less intimidating than they look! We can grab some dried flowers (even ones from that random bouquet on the counter) and trap them in clear resin shapes for the ultimate fall vibe. Using dried flowers from summer bouquets adds a personal touch and helps transition from the summer season to the back-to-school period.
These little decorations look magical and make us feel like crafty wizards. If you want inspo or a step-by-step, we love how simple it looks on Little Pine Learners.
8) Habitat Diorama Project
Shoebox crafts are a classic, and we love them for a reason! They are also a great way to use recycled materials. For this one, we pick an animal and deck out a little box with its perfect habitat vibes. You can even cut some of the materials in half to create different layers and dimensions in your habitat.
It’s a mix of learning and crafting. Our kids can turn anything—a forest, desert, or even a wetland—into their own magical world.
We can use stuff from around the house, and there are even easy templates and ideas online to help us get started.
9) Paper Plate School Bus Craft
We love crafts that keep little hands busy, and this paper plate school bus is adorable. Grab a plain paper plate, some yellow paint, and a few cut-out shapes. For an extra fun twist, use bubble wrap to create textured patterns on the school bus.
Let’s be real, it’s mostly about the paint mess—and those shape-matching skills sneak in too.
This paper plate apple craft is perfect for preschoolers or any kiddo who loves to glue things everywhere. For step-by-step inspo, check out this easy paper plate school bus tutorial.
10) Crayon Melt Art Pieces
Who else has a bin full of broken crayons? Let’s give them a glow-up with crayon melt art!
We just grab a canvas, line up crayons at the top, and blast them with a hair dryer. Watching the colors slide down is so much fun and super satisfying.
Each piece comes out different—hello, one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Want more inspiration? Check out these cute melted crayon craft ideas.
11) Apple-Shaped Bookmarks
We’re obsessed with these adorable apple craft bookmarks! They’re the cutest way to mark our spot and honestly, who doesn’t love apples for back-to-school vibes? These bookmarks are perfect for celebrating the new school year and keeping track of reading progress.
All it takes is some red and green paper, scissors, and a little bit of glue. Folding and snipping these apples is so easy, even our littlest crafters can totally get in on the fun.
Check out this Apple Bookmark Corner idea—it makes great teacher gifts, too!
12) Friendship Bracelets with Embroidery Floss
We just can’t get enough of making cute friendship bracelets; it’s such a simple craft to do together . All you need is some bright embroidery floss, a few easy steps, and friends who are ready to swap bracelets.
Cut your thread, braid or knot it, and—boom—matchy wrist candy for everyone. If you want a super simple how-to, check out these easy friendship bracelet instructions.
Bring on the colors, bring on the giggles. Seriously, it’s the best kind of mess.
13) Oven-Baked Shrinky Dinks Stickers
Remember Shrinky Dinks? We’re bringing them back with our own twist!
All you need is shrinky dink plastic, colored pencils, and an oven—easy peasy. Draw your favorite doodles, cut them out, and watch the magic happen as they shrink up in just a few minutes. These Shrinky Dinks make great non-toy gifts for friends and family, adding a personal touch to any occasion.
It’s like a mini science show right on the kitchen counter. Attach stickers to school folders, backpacks, or even shoes if you’re feeling wild.
Instant personality boost, honestly—who could blame you?
14) Paper Plane Contest
Let’s be honest—nothing brings out our inner kid like folding a paper plane and seeing whose flies the farthest. Grab some printer paper, markers, and maybe a few stickers if you’re feeling fancy.
Check out this easy step-by-step guide for kids if anyone needs a quick how-to. Let’s cheer, compete, and maybe learn a tiny bit about physics in the process! This school activity is a great way to combine fun and learning, making it a hit with kids of all ages.
15) Custom Pencil Cases from Felt
Let’s get real—our kids lose pencils like it’s their job! That’s why we love making custom pencil cases out of felt.
No sewing skills needed, just some glue and imagination. Grab fun colors, add a quirky iron-on patch, or decorate with whatever makes your kiddo smile. You can even incorporate name building by adding your child’s name to the pencil case for a personalized touch.
If you want more ideas, check out this cute and easy no-sew felt pencil pouch guide. Personalize away!
16) Leaf Art Collage
Let’s grab some crazy cool leaves and get messy with a little leaf art collage! The table ends up looking like a forest floor, and that’s kind of perfect. Creating these collages brings the beauty of nature to life, making each piece unique and special.
All you need are leaves, glue, and some paper—seriously, that’s it. Collages are the best for creative freedom!
If you want more ideas, check out these leaf collage projects for extra inspo.
17) Silhouette Portrait Wall Art
Let’s get fancy without the stress—silhouette portraits, anyone? This art project is simple yet elegant, perfect for capturing a moment in time. Trace your kid’s profile on black paper, cut it out, and pop it on a white background for instant art vibes.
This project is so simple, you barely need instructions. We love how these silhouette crafts capture a moment in time—plus, they look way more complicated than they actually are!
18) Backpack Paper Bag Craft
This one’s just too cute. Grab some colorful paper bags, fold, cut, and decorate—mini backpacks ready for action.
Let the kids go wild personalizing their backpacks with stickers, drawings, their names, and even designs from their friends. It’s perfect for storing pencils, snacks, or tiny treasures. You can also create a matching pencil craft to go along with the mini backpacks, making it a complete set.
Check out more ideas for backpack crafts right here. Seriously, these are adorable hanging from hooks.
Back to School Crafts for Organization
Staying organized is essential for a successful school year. That’s why we’ve put together some fantastic DIY desk organizers and personalized homework stations to help your kids stay on top of their school supplies. With these creative solutions, your kids will be able to find everything they need in no time, from pencils to paper. Let’s take a look at some of these amazing back to school crafts for organization.
DIY Desk Organizers
A DIY desk organizer is a great way to keep your kid’s desk tidy and organized. You can use recycled materials like toilet paper rolls, construction paper, and glue to create a unique and functional organizer. Add some cute decorations like washi tape, geometric designs, or googly eyes to make it more fun. This is a simple craft that can be completed in no time, and it’s a great way to teach your kids about the importance of organization and fine motor skills.
Personalized Homework Stations
A personalized homework station is a great way to make homework time more enjoyable and engaging. You can use a paper plate, yellow paint, and other recycled materials to create a customized station that fits your kid’s personality. Add their name, favorite colors, or a fun design to make it more special. This is a great way to encourage your kids to take ownership of their homework and to make it a fun experience. You can also include a magnetic pencil holder to keep their pencils and other school supplies within reach.
Classroom Decorations
Classroom decorations can make a big difference in creating a welcoming and engaging learning environment. In this section, we’ll explore some creative ideas for classroom decorations, including bulletin boards and other fun projects. Let’s take a look at some of these amazing ideas to decorate the classroom, including a school bus craft.
Creative Bulletin Boards
A creative bulletin board is a great way to add some personality to your classroom. You can use construction paper, glue, and other materials to create a unique and engaging design. Add some fun elements like shapes, colors, or patterns to make it more visually appealing. You can also include photos, quotes, or inspirational messages to make it more meaningful. This is a great way to create a positive and supportive learning environment that will inspire your kids to learn and grow. Consider adding a paper plate apple craft or a free apple template to make it more engaging.
Why Back To School Crafts Totally Rock
Craft time isn’t just an excuse to break out the glitter and washi tape —though, yes, glitter everywhere is a vibe, and these are some of our favorite crafts . Back to school crafts help us build our kids up, spark the fun, and sneak in some memory-making all before lunch.
Boosting Confidence and Creativity
When kids dive into a craft, they’re doing way more than making something cute for the fridge. Every cut, glue dot, and doodle helps them learn to solve problems, experiment, and trust their own ideas.
Watching their faces light up when they realize, “Whoa, I made this!”—that’s the best way to celebrate their creativity. These moments give kids a win, remind them they’re capable, and help them take pride in their work, bringing their creativity to life.
Plus, with crafts like personalized bookmarks or bracelets, they get to show off their own unique style. Even things like button bookmarks from these easy back-to-school crafts can make them smile every time they open a book.
Creating Special Memories Together
All those paint splatters and sticky tables? That’s where the real magic is. Crafting together gives us space to chat, share stories, and check in with our kids in a super chill way.
No pressure—just laughs and maybe a little healthy competition over who can use the most rhinestones. Sometimes just making simple, cute crafts like the ones from Natural Beach Living’s back to school crafts for kids using toilet paper rolls becomes a tradition they look forward to every year.
Crafting together during the summer can create lasting memories and help prepare for the upcoming school year.
The finished projects are sweet, but it’s the together time that really sticks with us.
Keeping Craft Time Fun And Sane
Craft time doesn’t have to turn into a glitter explosion or leave us crying over spilled paint water. With the right setup and some easy craft ideas, we can actually enjoy doing back to school crafts together—and keep our sanity.
Setting Up The Ultimate Crafting Zone
First step: grab a table that can become your craft headquarters. A cheap plastic tablecloth works wonders—it catches all the mystery goo and marker streaks.
If you don’t have one, use old newspapers. They’re like armor for our furniture.
Keep supplies in open bins or baskets. Seriously, nothing slows us down faster than digging for googly eyes or glue sticks in a disaster drawer.
Label those bins, even if it’s just with sticky notes. If you’ve got littles, try assigning tools.
- Scissors: Only the big kids
- Glue dots: Little ones (way less mess)
We also keep a little “trash bowl” in the middle of the table for scraps. It keeps our floors clear and everyone can reach it.
Playlist on, snacks nearby, and boom—crafting actually feels manageable. Sometimes it really is that easy.
Tips For Stress-Free Cleanup
Let’s be real: nobody wants to scrape dried glue off the counter for the rest of the week. The key is clean as you go.
When we’re done with scissors or tape, it goes back in the bin right then—not five crafts later.
Baby wipes are our MVP. They clean up everything from sticky hands to glitter disasters.
We keep a pack right next to us, so we’re not hunting through the house mid-mess.
A big tray under the crafty chaos, along with some toilet paper rolls, changes everything. Just lift the tray, dump the crumbly bits in the trash, and you’re done.
Building a little routine, like a quick supply check before and after, helps us keep it chill.
Bonus points for making cleanup a race—winner picks the next snack! For more ideas, check out some inspiring back to school crafts that are easy to set up and put away, including a printable template for your next project.
Crafting not only helps with creativity but also improves hand-eye coordination, making it a valuable activity for kids.
