Easy Back to School Crafts to Start the Year!
These back to school crafts are easy, useful, and fun to make! All of them use Mod Podge, and there are 40+ projects to choose from.
Skills Required: Beginner. All of these ideas are easy beginner to more advanced beginner, but some take longer than others. Just make sure you observe dry times and you’ll have great success with these projects.
I can’t believe it’s almost that time again. Summer just started, and now it’s almost over. What is going on around here? I don’t know how it is in your neck of the woods, but around here, school shopping gets pretty crazy.
I feel like I can’t go into the back-to-school supply section of a store without worrying about losing a leg. There are so many people!
In terms of strategy, I like to buy school supplies all at once. I figure one visit is enough, assuming I can remember and/or find everything. Then after I buy supplies, I add my own personal touches with Mod Podge (what else?).
To help you out, I put together a collection of over forty projects to get you inspired. Are you ready to personalize your back-to-school items and make some new things for your (or your child’s) study space?
Check out these tutorials below and let me know which are your favorite – and which ones you’ve tried – in the comments.
Back to School Crafts
Get ready for a new school year with these great DIY projects!
DIY Organizer Bins
Gussy up some Dollar Tree organizer bins with Mod Podge in this easy dollar store craft! This project is great for using up small pieces of fabric, and perfect for sorting school desk drawers.
These Backpack Charms Are Too Cool For School
Use your favorite patterns of Duck Tape to make these easy backpack charms. Kids will love assembling these in a matter of minutes!
DIY Aesthetic Journal Cover
One of the easiest back to school crafts is decorating notebooks! Students love personalizing their supplies and here's how you do it the easy way.
DIY Desk Organizer
Use old cereal boxes and toilet paper rolls to create a unique DIY desk organizer! This craft organizer is perfect if you're on a budget.
DIY Personalized Pencils
Who doesn’t want a set of pretty personalized pencils to start a new school year? These also make great gifts – and are easy to do with Mod Podge!
DIY File Cabinet
If you have multiple students in your home, you might need space for lots of papers! This filing cabinet is easy to makeover from a thrift store find.
DIY Mouse Pad
Learn how to make a mouse pad using a cork circle. This back to school craft is inexpensive and really easy!
Make a DIY Cord Organizer on a Budget
You can make a DIY cord organizer for back to school using this tutorial! This cable organizer can be made in minutes – we even provide a template.
Decorate an IKEA Magazine Holder
Want an easy craft idea? Grab an IKEA magazine holder and paint it for decor in a home office or student's work area! Add your favorite Duck Tape to personalize.
Five Ideas for Personalized Backpacks
Why buy a new backpack when you can get creative and makeover the one you already have? Kids will LOVE these unique ideas for personalized backpacks!
Decoupage Chair Covered with Maps
Need a new desk chair to make your student feel engaged? This one with maps is easier than you think. Even better if you can find a used school chair to re-do!
Vintage Globe Revamp
Learn how to customize a vintage globe with your favorite images from children's books - this is such a unique home decor project and perfect for a desk or study area.
School Pouch Painting
You don’t need painting skills to create these beautiful abstract painted zipper pouches – with a custom DIY gem charm that you can make!
DIY Dry Erase Board and Chalkboard
This dual DIY dry erase board and chalkboard makes a lovely teacher’s gift, but is also perfect for anyone that wants to get organized for back to school!
Easy DIY Travel Mug on a Budget
Depending on the age of your student, he or she might like a hot beverage on school mornings. Maybe that student is you. This travel mug is easy to personalize with paper.
Decoupage Desk
Learn how to decoupage a desk with postcards, or paper that looks like postcards. This is an easier project than you think, and it's a fun way to make over a student's desk at home.
Decorate Scissors with Washi Tape
Learn how to decorate scissors using your favorite patterned tapes and a little creativity! This is SO easy; anyone can do it.
DIY Phone Case
Start the school year off with a few new accessories for your electronics. If you want to decorate a phone case with glitter, I'll show you how in a few easy steps!
Make a Cell Phone Holder from a Lotion Bottle
School requires lots of devices that constantly need charging, and then of course there's your phone. Keep it near the outlet and charging with this phone holder!
DIY iPad Case Made for a Dollar
This DIY iPad case started as a $1 find from the dollar store! I then decoupaged a fabric scrap to the outside, making it a custom case.