6 Back to School Crafts for Kids to Start the Year Bright

Summer surely is going by really quick, and before we know it, school bells will be ringing!

As we get ready for the new school year, let’s review many crafting possibilities, from decorating and reusing old notebooks to DIY-ing cute bookmarks and crafting organizational tools and handmade gifts. These six back to school crafts for kids are a fantastic way to personalize the learning experience and to get everyone excited for the year ahead.

So, let’s dive in, gather your supplies, and discover your inner artist with these fun back to school crafts.

1. NOTEBOOK COVERS

Give your notebooks a fresh look! These easy-to-create covers will instantly upgrade your note-taking experience.

Supplies:

• PrintWorks Matte Photo Paper
• Notebook (Old or New)
• Glue (Mod Podge)
• Scissors
• Paintbrush
• Printer
• Washi Tape (Optional)
• Clear Contact Paper (Optional)

Directions:

1. Download some cute images from the web.
2. Print the images on matte photo paper/coated cardstock for better quality (be sure to choose the “fill entire paper” option in the preview setting before you press the print button).
3. With your paintbrush, spread a good amount of glue on the front of the notebook.
4. Carefully place the printable on the front of the notebook.
5. Open the notebook and trim the corners of the excess paper to make a tab.
6. Spread a good amount of glue over the tabs and fold them over the back of each cover (the top, bottom, and side).
7. Repeat the process for the back cover of the notebook.

Optional: For added cuteness, use a washi tape to create/cover the binded edge of the notebook. Also, for added protection, wrap your notebook with clear contact paper.

2. DIY PERSONALIZED PENCIL

Give your plain, yellow No. 2 pencils a vibrant makeover in just a few steps with these fun and easy back to school crafts for kids!

Supplies:

• PrintWorks Matte Photo Paper
• Pencil(s)
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Paintbrush
• Glue (Mod Podge)

Directions:

1. Download some cute images from the web.
2. Print out the images on matte photo paper/coated cardstock for better quality.
3. Cut your printed paper into strips: 6 ¾ in L x 1 ½ in W (or whatever measurement you need; use a ruler).
4. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge on the back of the paper strips. Be sure not to put too much glue, or the paper will dampen.
5. Line up the paper at the eraser end and tightly wrap the paper around the pencil by rolling it slowly. Make sure to smooth out any bumps or air bubbles if needed.
6. Leave the pencil out to dry completely before sharpening it.
*Crafty tip: Make sure to use thin paper for this to fit the pencil into the sharpener.

3. MAGAZINE HOLDER

Create cute and trendy magazine holders from cereal boxes!

Supplies:

• PrintWorks Bright Cardstock (Blue and Green)
• PrintWorks Neon Cardstock (Orange)
• PrintWorks White Cardstock
• Empty Cereal Boxes
• Scissors/Craft Knife
• Glue (Mod Podge)
• Ruler
• Pencil or Any Kind of Marker
• Thick Cardboard (Optional)
• Packaging Tape (Optional)
• Clear Contact Paper (Optional)

Directions:

1. Cut the top flap of your cereal box.
2. With your ruler, measure and decide the height that you want for your magazine holder. I measured approximately 11 in (my tall end) and 5 in (my short end), then I drew a straight line across it (same thing for the backside of the box).
3. Flip the box and draw a horizontal line on two sides of the box (tall end and short end).
4. Cut along the marked lines.
5. Trace the edges of the cereal box on your preferred color of cardstock, and cut and glue them all (front and back and the two sides).
*You can also draw designs on top of your blank cardstock or leave it blank.
6. Cut out different colors of cardstock (2 cm width – depends on your preferred measurement).
7. Spread a good amount of glue on your base cardstock (refer to the process video).
8. Place the different colored cardstock cutouts to create your desired stripy patterns (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), and cut out the excess strips.
9. Once again, spread a good amount of glue on the front of the cereal box.
10. Place the diagonal pattern on the front of the cereal box (follow the same steps for the back of the cereal box).

Now you’re ready to fill it up with your favorite books, magazines, school supplies, other back to school crafts, and so much more!

Optional: To strengthen your magazine holder, cut out a stiff cardboard to fit the box’s base and use double-sided tape to secure it. Also, to further secure the bottom side of the cereal box, tape it with packaging tape.

4. PERSONALIZED BOOKMARKS

Whether you’re a devoted bookworm or just starting your reading journey, you’ll love how incredibly easy it is to create these DIY personalized bookmarks!

Supplies:
• Printworks Matte Coated Cardstock
• Printer
• Paper Trimmer
• Laminated Sheets (3 mil or 5 mil)
• Laminator
• Paper Corner Rounder
• Tassel/Yarn (Optional)
• Hole punch (Optional)

Directions:
1. Download cute images or colorful patterns from the web.
2. Size your images into bookmark-sized strips—my bookmarks are approximately 6 in L x 2 in W.
3. Print the images.
4. Cut them with a paper trimmer.
5. This extra step is completely optional, but if you want your bookmarks to last longer, you can laminate them.
6. Cut the edges.
7. Hole punch them and add a tassel for a more polished look!

5. PENCIL THEME GIFT BOX

Let’s create this adorable pencil theme gift box, shall we?

Supplies:

• 12 in x 12 in Yellow Cardstock for the Base
• PrintWorks Bright Cardstock (Yellow)
• PrintWorks Pastel Cardstock (Pink and Cream)
• Gray Cardstock
• PrintWorks Earth Tone Cardstock (Black)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Hole Punch (Optional)
• Brads (Optional)
• Yarn (Optional)

Directions:

1. Download your preferred pencil box template, size it to your liking, and cut it – you can find lots of free templates on the web (I got my template from Cricut Design Space Software).
*Crafty tip: Use 65 lb – 80 lb cardstock for sturdiness.
2. Glue all the details/decoration pieces together on the box base (pink cardstock for the eraser, gray cardstock for the metal piece, cream cardstock for the wood part of the pencil, and black cardstock for the pencil lead).
3. Fold along the scored lines, then glue each tab and press them to their adjacent sides.
4. For the handle, simply cut ½ in W X 12 in L of yellow cardstock (the measurement depends on how thick and how long you want your handle to be).
5. Hole punch the center on each side of the box. Alternatively, you can glue the handle on each side of the box.
6. For a more flexible handle, secure it with brads on both sides.
7. Finish it off with a gift tag.

This can be used as a treat box for parties or a thoughtful back to school gift for your favorite teacher. Fill it up with candies, gift cards, and other back to school crafts!

6. BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHIRT

It has always been my tradition to let my boys wear a personalized back-to-school shirt every year during their first day of school and this year is no different. PrintWorks makes their fabric transfers so easy to use, which has kept our back to school crafts’ tradition going strong. =)

Supplies:

• Shirt (Cotton)
• PrintWorks Fabric Transfers
• Overlay Paper
• Scissors
• Iron
• Iron Board
• Computer
• Inkjet Printer

Directions:

1. Create your preferred design/image on your computer: your design can include full photos, graphics, and text (you can use Canva or find a download off the web using Cricut Design Space Software).
2. Once you’ve selected your images, print them on the transfer sheet.
*I recommend test printing your design first on a piece of paper to make sure the sizing is correct. Also, be sure to load the transfer sheet on the blank matte side and not on the shiny side with the blank lines of the transfer sheet.
3. Leave your printed design to dry for a few minutes.
4. Cut (or weed) your design, and make sure to leave a small tab to help you peel off the backing paper.
5. Gently press and roll the lint remover on your fabric to remove any tangled fibers.
6. Preheat your fabric to remove moisture and wrinkles.
7. Position your design on the fabric using a ruler to make sure it’s centered and straight.
8. Carefully peel the backing paper.
9. Place the transfer sheet on the fabric in your desired position.
10. Cover the transfer sheet with overlay paper.
11. Heat up your iron to the maximum setting, and DO NOT USE the steam setting
12. With firm pressure, iron the overlay paper from top to bottom and side to side. Make sure you iron the entire design, including the edges, and keep the iron from moving to prevent scorching and yellowing.
13. Leave it for a few minutes to cool off before you remove the overlay paper.

And there you have it, friends! I hope these projects will make your back-to-school season your craftiest year ever. Catch you next time!

XOXO,

Angelica (Paper_Blitz_Online)