With the new school year right around the corner, it’s time to get crafty and make those first days extra special for our little ones. Here are some delightful and surprisingly simple back-to-school crafts that will keep your preschooler engaged and excited about heading back to class!
1. First Day of School Photo Frame
Decorate a simple wooden frame with school-themed embellishments to create a first day photo frame. This craft is a perfect keepsake to capture the milestone of the first school day!
2. Pencil Toppers with Personality
Create quirky pencil toppers by wrapping pipe cleaners and adding googly eyes. These little monsters were a big hit with my niece, who couldn’t wait to show them off to her friends!
3. Handprint Art with a Twist
Capture this year’s tiny hands by creating a handprint flower art piece. We did this last year, and it’s incredible to see how much they’ve grown compared to the previous year’s print.
4. DIY School Bus Pencil Holder
Transform a tin can into an adorable school bus pencil holder with some yellow paint and construction paper wheels. I remember making one of these for my own desk and it always brings a smile to my face!
5. Personalized Backpack Tags
Help your child make a unique backpack tag using colorful foam sheets and their name in bold letters. These tags make it easy to spot their bag, and we had so much fun customizing them with different shapes and colors.
6. Story Stones with a School Twist
Paint flat stones with school-related images to create story stones. My daughter loves using them to tell imaginative stories about her school day adventures.
7. Animal Themed Bookmark
Help your child make a fun animal bookmark with construction paper and markers. We made a bunch of these in my studio and it was amazing to see how each child’s personality shone through their animal choice.
8. Miniature Classroom Diorama
Build a mini classroom diorama inside a shoebox with cutouts and clay figures. This was a big hit during a crafting afternoon, sparking endless pretend play sessions!
9. Back to School Countdown Chain
Make a colorful paper chain to count down the days until school starts. This simple craft builds excitement, and we love tearing off a link each morning as the first day draws closer.
10. Eco-Friendly Crayon Holder
Upcycle a tin can into a colorful crayon holder with paint and recycled materials. It’s a creative way to organize art supplies while teaching little ones about the importance of recycling.
11. Apple Paper Plate Weaving
Punch holes around a red paper plate and let your child weave green yarn through it to create a cute apple craft. This was a hit when we did it in my workshop; the kids loved seeing their apple come to life!
12. Puzzle Piece Name Sign
Paint old puzzle pieces and assemble them into a beautiful name sign. A simple and delightful way to teach name spelling while creating a unique piece for their room.
13. Animal Face Masks
Turn paper plates into adorable animal masks with some paint and creativity. Just the other day, we made a whole zoo’s worth of masks during a craft party, and they were a roaring success!
14. First Day of School Crown
Cut out and decorate a paper crown with stickers and glitter for the first day of school. I love how this craft allows kids to feel like royalty as they embark on their educational journey.
15. Shape Sorting Board
Cut out various shapes from felt and create a simple shape sorting board. This hands-on activity is a great way for little fingers to learn about shapes while having fun.
16. DIY Chalkboard Lunchbox Notes
Create a mini chalkboard using paint and a small card to slip into your child’s lunchbox for surprise messages. This little touch has been a favorite with my family, adding a bit of mystery to lunchtime!