20+ Easy Back To School Crafts
Easy Back to School Crafts can make the first days of school feel brighter, calmer, and a little more exciting. From cheerful desk accents to simple classroom-friendly projects, this collection brings together ideas that feel current, cute, and fun to make.
Back-to-school season is full of fresh supplies, new routines, and small moments worth celebrating, and Easy Back to School Crafts fit right into that mood. They’re the kind of projects you can save for a rainy afternoon, a weekend reset, or a last-minute activity that still feels special and on trend.
Pencil Bookmark For Busy Little Readers
A bright pencil bookmark adds a playful school-day touch to any notebook or favorite chapter book.
What you need
- Yellow cardstock
- Pink cardstock
- Gray paper
- Beige paper
- Black paper
- Black marker
- Glue stick
- Scissors
How to make it
- Cut a long pencil shape from the yellow cardstock
- Add a pink eraser top and beige wood point
- Glue on the gray band and draw the pencil details with a black marker
- Trim the bottom into a sharp tip and let everything dry
Colorful Paper Plate Clock
Bright numbers and cheerful hands make this paper plate clock a playful way to practice telling time while adding a pop of color to any school-themed craft table.
What you need
- 1 Paper plate
- 2 Colored paper circles
- 3 Markers or number stickers
- 4 Brass fastener
- 5 Scissors
- 6 Glue stick
How to make it
- Place the numbers around the edge of the plate in clock order
- Add a dotted circle inside the numbers for a cute finished look
- Cut two clock hands from colored paper
- Attach the hands in the center with a brass fastener
Cheerful Apple Pencil Topper
A bright apple pencil topper brings a sweet, school-day smile to any desk or pencil case.
What you need
- Red Felt
- Green Felt
- Brown Felt
- Black Beads Or Embroidery Thread
- Pink Felt Circle
- Yellow Pencil
- Needle And Thread Or Fabric Glue
How to make it
- Cut two matching apple shapes from red felt and a small leaf and stem from green and brown felt
- Stitch or glue the face details, including eyes, cheeks, and a tiny smile, onto one apple piece
- Join the apple layers around the edge, leaving the bottom open for the pencil
- Add the leaf, stem, and a small opening at the base so the topper slides onto the pencil
Bright Popsicle Stick School Bus Frame
A cheerful popsicle stick school bus frame adds a playful school-day touch to a desk or shelf. The bright yellow frame, simple black details, and tiny wheels make it feel extra fun and kid-friendly.
What you need
- 12 yellow-painted craft sticks
- Black paint or a black marker
- 4 small craft wheels or bottle caps
- White glue or a hot glue gun
- 1 small printed school photo
How to make it
- Arrange the craft sticks into a square frame with a wide base
- Glue the sticks together and let the frame dry
- Add black stripes, windows, and bumper details with paint or marker
- Attach the wheels at the bottom and place a school photo in the center
Rainbow Paper Chain Arch
A rainbow paper chain arch adds a happy burst of color to any classroom or homework corner. The tall looping shape feels playful, simple, and cheerful.
What you need
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
How to make it
- Cut the paper into even strips
- Roll the first strip into a loop and secure it
- Thread the next strip through the loop and fasten it
- Keep adding colors until the arch reaches the size you want
Mini Floral Notebook Charm
What you need: 1. Small Plain Notebook 2. Decorative Floral Paper 3. Craft Glue 4. Scissors 5. Hole Punch Or Needle 6. Thin Twine Or Thread
What you need
- Small Plain Notebook
- Decorative Floral Paper
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
- Hole Punch Or Needle
- Thin Twine Or Thread
How to make it
- Cut the floral paper to fit the notebook cover
- Glue the paper smoothly onto the front and back covers
- Punch small holes along the spine edge
- Thread the twine through the holes and tie it neatly
Pencil Garland For The Classroom
A pencil garland brings a playful school-day look to any bulletin board, doorway, or study nook.
What you need
- Colored cardstock
- Pink paper
- Gray paper
- Black paper
- White string
- Scissors
- Glue stick
How to make it
- Cut pencil shapes from the colored cardstock
- Add pink erasers, gray ferrules, and black pencil tips with paper pieces
- Punch small holes near the top of each pencil and thread them onto the string
- Space the pencils evenly and hang the garland where it can brighten the room
Paper Flower Pencil Bouquet
What you need: 1. Yellow pencils 2. Colorful cupcake liners 3. Buttons 4. Green paper leaves 5. Twine 6. Small kraft paper bag
What you need
- Yellow pencils
- Colorful cupcake liners
- Buttons
- Green paper leaves
- Twine
- Small kraft paper bag
How to make it
- Fold the cupcake liners into flower shapes
- Glue a button in the center of each bloom
- Attach the flowers to the pencil tops with tape or glue
- Add paper leaves and stand the finished bouquet in the kraft bag tied with twine
Pastel Tassel Ruler Bookmarks
Playful pastel ruler bookmarks bring a sweet, school-ready touch to notebooks and reading time. The mix of geometric paper pieces, tiny ruler marks, and soft tassels makes them feel cheerful, neat, and easy to gift.
What you need
- Cardstock in pastel colors
- A printed ruler pattern or ruler sticker
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Hole punch
- Small tassels or thread tassels
How to make it
- Cut long bookmark strips from cardstock
- Decorate each strip with colorful triangle or circle paper shapes
- Add a ruler edge along one side with a printed pattern or sticker
- Punch a hole at the top and tie on a tassel
Rainbow Yarn Letter Decor
A bold yarn-wrapped letter adds a playful pop of color to a desk, shelf, or classroom corner.
What you need
- Cardboard letter cutout
- Bright yarn in rainbow colors
- Craft glue
- Scissors
How to make it
- Trim the letter edges if needed and gather the yarn colors
- Spread a small amount of glue on one section of the letter
- Wrap each section tightly with a different color of yarn
- Press the ends down neatly and let the letter dry
Paper Bag Owl Pencil Holder
A paper bag owl pencil holder brings a sweet woodland look to any homework station while keeping pencils, scissors, and markers close at hand.
What you need
- 1 paper lunch bag
- 1 brown cardstock sheet
- 1 pink cardstock sheet
- 1 purple cardstock sheet
- 1 orange cardstock sheet
- 1 pair of googly eyes
- 1 glue stick
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 black marker
How to make it
- Cover the paper bag with brown paper or cardstock if needed
- Cut out layered feather, wing, beak, and foot shapes from colorful cardstock
- Glue the eyes, beak, wings, and feathers onto the front of the bag
- Let everything dry, then fill the top with pencils and school supplies
Apple Paper Wreath Charm
A cheerful apple wreath brings a sweet back-to-school look to any door, wall, or classroom corner. The bright red fruit shapes and layered green leaves feel playful, fresh, and easy to make with simple paper pieces.
What you need
- Red construction paper
- Green construction paper
- Brown paper strips
- Twine or ribbon
- Glue stick
- Scissors
How to make it
- Cut several apple shapes from the red paper and leaf shapes from the green paper
- Cut a few short brown strips for stems and a circle base for the wreath
- Glue the apples, leaves, and stems around the circle in a full ring
- Add a twine loop at the top and let everything dry fully
Rainbow Popsicle Chalkboard Sign
A rainbow popsicle stick chalkboard sign brings bright classroom color and a cheerful handmade feel to any desk or study corner.
What you need
- Colored Popsicle Sticks
- Small Black Cardboard Or Foam Sheet
- Craft Glue
- Twine Or String
- Scissors
How to make it
- Glue four colored popsicle sticks into a square frame around the black center piece
- Add two small sticks on the bottom as little legs if you want it to stand
- Tie twine across the top with glue or knots for a simple hanger
- Let everything dry fully before displaying notes or a tiny message
Rainbow Craft Stick Pencil Cup
What you need: 1. Wooden Craft Sticks 2. Colorful Washi Tape 3. Foam Star Stickers 4. Hot Glue Or Craft Glue 5. Scissors 6. Small Cardboard Or Cup Base
What you need
- Wooden Craft Sticks
- Colorful Washi Tape
- Foam Star Stickers
- Hot Glue Or Craft Glue
- Scissors
- Small Cardboard Or Cup Base
How to make it
- Wrap or cover the craft sticks with strips of washi tape
- Glue the sticks upright around the base to form a small container
- Add extra tape bands in bright colors for a striped look
- Finish with foam star stickers and let the glue dry completely
Handprint Bus Card
A bright handprint turns into a cheerful school bus card that feels sweet, simple, and perfect for a first-day keepsake.
What you need
- White cardstock
- Yellow washable paint
- Black construction paper
- Orange paper
- Glue stick
- Paintbrush
How to make it
- Paint one hand with yellow paint and press it onto the cardstock
- Let the handprint dry completely
- Cut out the bus windows, wheels, and small details from black and orange paper
- Glue the paper pieces onto the handprint to finish the bus design
Mint Paper Backpack Favor Box
A tiny paper backpack makes the sweetest desk treat, with a mint body, a soft pink pocket, and a playful apple topper for a cheerful back to school look.
What you need
- Mint cardstock or construction paper
- Pink paper for the front pocket
- Yellow paper for the handle and clasp
- Red and green paper for the apple accent
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Scissors
- Pencil or pen
How to make it
- Cut a backpack shape from the mint paper and score or fold the top flap into place
- Cut a pink pocket and glue it to the front
- Add a yellow strip handle, then attach a small round clasp and tab
- Finish by layering on the apple and pencil details, then trim any rough edges
Cheerful Accordion Pencil Friends
Bright accordion pencil friends add a playful school-day touch to any desk, bulletin board, or backpack-themed display.
What you need
- Yellow cardstock 2. Pink paper 3. Gray paper strip 4. Black marker 5. Pink blush pen 6. Scissors 7. Glue stick
How to make it
- Cut each pencil body and fold the yellow cardstock into even accordion sections
- Shape the pointed pencil tip and add the pink eraser top
- Glue on the gray band and draw a smiling face with rosy cheeks
- Repeat the same simple steps to make a matching set
Rainbow Alphabet Spinner Wheel
A rainbow alphabet spinner makes learning letters feel playful and hands-on, with bold colors and chunky letters that stand out beautifully.
The spinning design adds a fun classroom touch and gives little learners a cheerful way to practice matching letters and sounds.
What you need
- 2 cardboard circles
- Colored paper or paint in rainbow shades
- Foam or paper alphabet letters
- 1 brass brad fastener
- 1 small cardboard stand
- Craft glue
How to make it
- Cut two cardboard circles, then make a wedge opening in the top circle for the pointer
- Cover the outer ring with bright rainbow sections and add one alphabet letter to each section
- Attach the top circle over the base circle with a brass brad so it can spin smoothly
- Glue on a small cardboard stand and test the spinner with different letters
Rainbow Foam Name Plaque
A bright foam name plaque adds a cheerful pop of color to a desk, cubby, or bedroom shelf. The chunky rainbow letters make it feel playful and personal for back-to-school season.
What you need
- Purple foam board base
- Colorful foam alphabet letters
- Craft glue or foam adhesive
- Scissors
How to make it
- Trim the foam board into a neat rectangle
- Arrange the foam letters across the center until the name looks balanced
- Glue each letter in place and press gently until secure
- Let the plaque dry completely before displaying it
Rainbow Crayon Desk Caddy
What you need: 1. 6 cardboard tubes 2. Bright colored paper or paint 3. Cardboard base 4. Glue or double-sided tape 5. Stickers, foam shapes, or paper cutouts 6. Crayons or markers
What you need
- 6 cardboard tubes
- Bright colored paper or paint
- Cardboard base
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Stickers, foam shapes, or paper cutouts
- Crayons or markers
How to make it
- Cover each cardboard tube with a different bright color or patterned paper
- Glue the tubes side by side onto a sturdy cardboard base
- Add cheerful decorations like stars, hearts, clouds, or a rainbow
- Fill the caddy with crayons, markers, or pencils and set it on a desk