Back to School Crafts Elementary projects usually end up in the recycling bin by Friday. I put this list together because most back to school crafts for kids elementary parents find online require too much prep time or expensive supplies.
If you need free or low-cost art projects to help kids transition from summer to the classroom, these setups are simple. They keep little hands busy and actually create something useful for their desks or backpacks.
1. Ocean-Themed Pencil Toppers 🌊
Shifting gears from beach trips to classroom desks is tough for younger students. These ocean-themed pencil toppers keep a little bit of summer alive while they write. They add a fun weight to the pencil that makes practicing handwriting feel less like a chore.
What You Need to Gather
- Colorful pipe cleaners (blue, green, and orange).
- Small googly eyes.
- Standard wooden pencils.
- Non-toxic craft glue.
How to Build Them
Start by wrapping a blue pipe cleaner tightly around the eraser end of the pencil to form a base. Twist orange and green pipe cleaners into small fish or seaweed shapes, leaving a small tail to tuck into the base. Glue on the googly eyes and let the toppers dry overnight before tossing them into a pencil pouch.
2. First Day Backpack Ornaments 🎒
Treating the first day back like a mini holiday makes the morning rush much easier. Creating a quick backpack ornament gives them something special to show off on the bus. It also helps younger kids quickly identify which black backpack belongs to them in the crowded coatroom.
Materials for the Tag
- Wooden craft circles or thick cardboard cutouts.
- Acrylic paint in bright primary colors.
- A thick black permanent marker.
- Strong yarn or a metal keyring.
Assembly Steps
Have your child paint the wooden circle their favorite solid color and wait for it to dry. Use the black marker to write their name or a fun phrase like “Ready for 2nd Grade” directly in the center. Drill a small hole at the top, thread the yarn through, and tie it securely to their bag zipper.
3. Free-Form Cardboard Desk Caddies 📦
If you have leftover shipping boxes lying around, this is a completely free way to organize homework stations. Arts and crafts time gets much more practical when they build their own storage. This project keeps markers, scissors, and glue sticks from rolling all over the kitchen table.
Required Supplies
- Clean, empty cardboard tubes and small shipping boxes.
- Decorative wrapping paper or old comic book pages.
- A glue stick or double-sided tape.
- Craft scissors.
Construction Process
Cut the cardboard tubes into different heights to hold various supplies like tall rulers or short crayons. Wrap the outside of each tube and the small box base with the decorative paper, securing it with glue. Arrange the wrapped tubes inside the box base so they fit snugly, creating a custom divided organizer.
4. Apple Stamped Tote Bags 🍎
Carrying library books gets heavy, and standard plastic bags rip too easily. Using apples as stamps turns a plain canvas tote into a durable, custom library bag. Out of all the back to school crafts elementary ideas, this one actually saves you money on buying a separate book bag.
Stuff to Grab
- A plain cotton canvas tote bag.
- Two firm apples cut cleanly in half.
- Red and green fabric paint.
- A small paintbrush for details.
Stamping Method
Place a piece of thick cardboard inside the tote bag so the paint does not bleed through to the back. Dip the flat, cut side of the apple into the red paint and press it firmly onto the canvas. Use the small paintbrush to add green leaves and brown stems to the tops of the apple prints.
5. Washi Tape Notebook Customization 📓
Standard composition notebooks all look identical in a busy classroom cubby. Wrapping the covers in bright tape helps your child spot their journal instantly. It also adds a layer of protection so the cardboard covers do not bend and tear by October.
Project Materials
- Basic black-and-white composition notebooks.
- Five to six rolls of washi tape in different patterns.
- Clear packing tape to seal the edges.
Taping Instructions
Start at the top left corner of the notebook cover and pull a strip of washi tape diagonally across to the other side. Continue laying strips parallel to the first one, alternating colors and patterns until the entire front is covered. Fold the excess tape over the inside edges and secure it with a layer of clear packing tape for durability.
6. Yarn Pom-Pom Bookmarks 📚
Encouraging daily reading habits requires a good bookmark that will not fall out of the pages. A chunky yarn pom-pom attached to a paperclip stays put perfectly. They are soft, colorful, and stick out visibly from the top of a closed book so kids never lose their spot.
Needed Supplies
- A skein of brightly colored thick yarn.
- Large, heavy-duty metal paperclips.
- Sharp fabric scissors.
- A piece of cardboard cut into a small square.
Tying It Together
Wrap the yarn tightly around the cardboard square about fifty times to create a thick bundle. Slide a separate piece of yarn under the bundle, tie it tightly in the middle, and slide it off the cardboard. Cut the looped ends with scissors, fluff the pom-pom, and tie it securely to the top edge of the metal paperclip.
7. Painted Rock Paperweights 🪨
Flying papers from an open window or a strong fan can mess up a study space quickly. A heavy, hand-painted rock keeps assignment sheets exactly where they belong. It is a great excuse to get outside and hunt for the perfect smooth stone before the weather turns cold.
What to Find
- Smooth, flat river rocks.
- Bright outdoor acrylic paints.
- Fine-tipped paint pens for detailing.
- Clear acrylic sealer spray.
Painting Tips
Wash and dry the rocks completely so the paint adheres smoothly to the surface. Let the kids paint a solid base color, then use the fine-tipped pens to draw encouraging words like “You Got This” or fun geometric shapes. Once the paint is entirely dry, take them outside and apply a quick coat of clear sealer to prevent chipping.
8. Clothespin Daily Schedule Clips 📅
Keeping track of gym days versus library days often causes morning panic. Painting and labeling wooden clothespins helps them clip onto a master schedule for an easy visual reminder. Kids can physically move the clip each morning, giving them a sense of control over their daily routine.
Gather These Items
- Standard wooden spring clothespins.
- Watercolor paints or markers.
- A thin black sharpie.
- A thick piece of cardstock for the schedule board.
Making the Clips
Have your child color each clothespin a different shade to represent different days of the week. Write Monday through Friday on the side of the pins using the black sharpie. Clip them onto the edge of the cardstock board where you have written down their special classes and daily homework goals.
9. Monster Corner Bookmarks 👾
Sometimes standard rectangular bookmarks feel a bit boring for early readers. Folding paper into little corner monsters makes saving their page a lot more fun. These slip right over the corner of the page, making it look like a little creature is biting the book.
Supply List
- Square pieces of colored origami paper.
- Scraps of white paper for the teeth and eyes.
- A glue stick.
- A black marker.
Folding Instructions
Fold the square paper diagonally into a triangle, then fold the outer corners up to meet the top point. Tuck those flaps down inside the pocket you just created to form the base of the corner bookmark. Cut jagged little teeth from the white paper and glue them inside the pocket, finishing it off by drawing silly eyes on the top.
10. Popsicle Stick Pencil Cases 🖍️
Zippers break, and plastic pencil boxes crack when dropped on the floor. Gluing craft sticks together creates a surprisingly sturdy holder for colored pencils and markers. Kids can build it as tall or wide as they need to fit their growing art collection.
Things to Get
- A large box of standard wooden popsicle sticks.
- Strong wood glue or craft glue.
- A square piece of thick cardboard for the base.
- Paint or markers for decoration.
Gluing Guide
Start by gluing four popsicle sticks in a square shape flat onto the cardboard base. Continue stacking and gluing sticks in an overlapping square pattern, building the walls up like a log cabin. Let the glue dry completely for a few hours before letting the kids paint the outside walls in their favorite colors.
If these simple, low-cost projects helped you get your kids’ desks and backpacks organized for the new year, make sure to save them for later.
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Pin this list to your favorite Pinterest board so you have these ideas ready whenever boredom strikes on a rainy weekend!
