10+ DIY First Day Of School Crafts for Little Learners
First Day of School Crafts bring a sweet, back-to-school kind of excitement to the start of a new year. From bright colors to classroom-ready details, these projects add a cheerful handmade touch to the season.
A few simple First Day of School Crafts can turn ordinary supplies into keepsakes, decorations, and easy gift ideas that feel extra special. They are fun to make, easy to personalize, and perfect for building a little first-day magic.
Sunny School Notebook Cover
A cheerful little notebook cover turns school prep into something extra sweet. The sunny house, tree, and cloud details give it a cozy back-to-school feel that looks bright on any desk.
What you need
- Plain Kraft notebook cover
- Colored cardstock in yellow, green, white, red, and brown
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Pencil for tracing
How to make it
- Cut simple shapes for the sun, cloud, tree, house, grass, and border pieces
- Arrange the paper pieces on the notebook cover until the scene looks balanced
- Glue each shape in place and press gently so the layers stay flat
- Add small finishing details like windows, a door, and a tiny flag for a playful schoolhouse look
Rainbow Paper Chain Countdown
A bright paper chain brings cheerful first-day energy to any classroom or homework corner, and the rainbow colors make it feel playful and welcoming.
What you need
- Colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Ribbon or string
How to make it
- Cut the paper into even strips
- Loop one strip into a circle and fasten the end
- Thread the next strip through the first loop and secure it
- Continue with each color, then hang the finished chain from ribbon or string
Burlap Apple Bouquet
A cheerful apple bouquet like this brings a sweet classroom look to any First Day of School Crafts display and feels cozy, handmade, and gift-ready.
What you need
- Red paper muffin liners
- White paper circles
- Brown paper seed pieces
- Green paper leaves
- Green tissue paper
- Small stick stems
- Burlap wrap
- Twine
- Hot glue or craft glue
How to make it
- Shape each apple by layering a white paper circle over a red muffin liner
- Glue on two brown seed pieces near the center
- Add a small brown stem, a green leaf, and a stick stem to each apple
- Gather the stems together, wrap the base with burlap, and tie it neatly with twine
Colorful Yarn-Wrapped Alphabet Decor
A yarn-wrapped letter A makes a cheerful back-to-school accent with soft texture and playful pops of color. It looks sweet on a desk, shelf, or classroom display.
What you need
- Cardboard Letter A
- Assorted Yarn In Bright Colors
- Small Pom-Poms
- Craft Glue
- Scissors
How to make it
- Wrap each section of the letter A with yarn in different colors and secure the ends with glue
- Press the yarn snugly so the cardboard stays fully covered
- Glue pom-poms across the letter for a fun, bouncy finish
- Let everything dry before displaying the decorated letter
Owl Treat Bag Buddy
A cheerful owl treat bag makes a playful first-day surprise with bright rainbow feathers and a sweet classroom-ready personality.
What you need
- 1 Brown paper lunch bag
- 2 Colored construction paper
- 3 Googly eyes or paper circles
- 4 Glue stick
- 5 Scissors
- 6 Marker
How to make it
- Fold the top of the bag slightly to shape the owl head
- Cut out feather ovals, wings, ears, eyes, beak, and feet from colored paper
- Glue the pieces onto the bag in layers to build the owl face and body
- Let it dry, then tuck in a small treat or note
Apple Photo Frame Keepsake
A bright apple frame turns a favorite school photo into a sweet keepsake with a playful back-to-school feel.
What you need
- Red cardstock or craft foam
- Green and brown paper
- A Printed School Photo
- Scissors
- Glue stick
How to make it
- Cut A large apple shape from the red cardstock or foam
- Cut A circle opening in the center for the photo
- Add A green leaf and brown stem to the top
- Glue The school photo behind the opening and let it dry
Little Apple Chalkboard Sign
A sweet little chalkboard sign brings a handmade school-day touch to any desk, backpack hook, or classroom corner.
What you need
- 4 craft sticks
- Black cardstock or foam sheet
- Jute twine
- Wood beads
- Red and green foam or cardstock
- Craft glue
How to make it
- Arrange the craft sticks into a small frame and glue the corners together
- Cut the black cardstock to fit inside the frame and secure it in place
- Thread the twine through the top with a few beads for a cheerful hanger
- Cut out tiny apple shapes and glue them to one corner for a playful finish
Popsicle Stick Pencil Frame
A cheerful pencil-inspired photo frame adds a playful back-to-school touch to a desk or bookshelf, and the bright colors make a favorite school picture stand out.
What you need
- 10 to 12 wooden craft sticks
- Yellow, pink, blue, and black paint or colored paper
- School photo or printed portrait
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Scissors
- Decorative tape or paper strips
How to make it
- Arrange the craft sticks into a tall frame shape with an opening in the center
- Glue the sticks together and add a pointed pencil tip at the top
- Paint or cover the frame with bright school colors and let it dry
- Add tape or paper bands for the pencil details, then slip in the photo
Cheery Pocket Backpack Organizer
A bright pocket backpack like this brings such a happy first-day feel with its bold colors and handy little front compartments.
What you need
- Purple craft foam or thick cardstock
- Pink, teal, yellow, and red colored paper
- Scissors
- Glue or double-sided tape
- Black marker for stitching details
How to make it
- Cut a large backpack shape from the purple base and add a pink handle at the top
- Cut and layer the front pockets in pink and teal, then glue them in place
- Add paper school supplies like a notebook, apple, crayons, pencil, and scissors
- Draw stitched edges and let everything dry flat
Cheerful School Bus Faces
A bright paper plate school bus makes a playful first-day keepsake with happy little student faces peeking from the windows.
What you need
- 1 yellow paper plate
- 1 sheet of black cardstock
- 1 sheet of blue cardstock
- 1 sheet of orange or red cardstock
- 1 glue stick
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 black marker
- 1 gold brad fastener
How to make it
- Trim the paper plate into a bus shape and leave the rounded top for the roof
- Cut black strips for the bus lines, wheels, and bumpers
- Cut blue window squares and small paper faces, then draw simple hair and smiles
- Glue the pieces in place and add a brad fastener to each wheel for a finished look