These DIY Ideas Will Get Your Kids Excited to Go Back to School (2024)

Make lunchtime at the beginning of the school year fun with this easy-to-make, apple painted lunch bag. Take it a step further and personalize it with your kiddo’s name.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

What you’ll need: Floral wire ($5, Amazon)

We all know you should eat your fruits, but you can also make art with them too! If you’re looking for a reusable lunch bag for the school year, gather up some of your children’s favorite fruit slices and release your inner Picasso.

Get the tutorial at hello, Wonderful.

What you’ll need: Foam brushes ($7, Amazon)

Sure, you could buy a holder from the store, but there’s more fun in making one at home! Use washi tape to decorate or really DIY by painting your own design.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Courtney.

What you’ll need: Unfinished wood box ($10, Amazon)

With just a couple common household items, you and your kids can make this colorful organizer to keep all their supplies in.

Get the tutorial at Typically Simple.

What you’ll need: Paint ($9.50, Walmart)

For the little bookworm in your family, fun bookmarks can make reading even more exciting. This pencil bookmark is simple to make and only requires a few supplies to make it.

Get the tutorial at Powerful Mothering.

What you’ll need: Jumbo craft sticks ($7, Amazon)

The world is your canvas, and so are these pouches that are perfect for letting your kids’ imaginations run wild. With a little paint and some cool stencils, storing pens, pencils, and erasers just became a whole lot easier.

Get the tutorial at Color Made Happy.

What you’ll need: Animal stencils ($11, Amazon)

It can be hard for kids to keep track of all their assignments and tasks, but with this super customizable bulletin board, they’ll be organized in no time.

Get the tutorial at DIY Candy.

What you’ll need: Fabric ($9, Amazon)

An all-purpose organizer, this tray is perfect for doing homework on the couch or tidying up school supplies.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

What you'll need: Floral fabric ($8, etsy.com)

The countdown until the first day of school is on, and the best way to mark off the days is with this school bus paper chain.

Get the tutorial at Happy Home Fairy.

What you’ll need: Construction paper ($2, Amazon)

Give an extra dose of encouragement for that big test with a simple DIY dry erase board that can easily swap out messages.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Naptime.

What you'll need: Washi tape ($10, amazon.com)

Old cardboard boxes turn into perfect drawer organizers when they're wrapped in patterned paper.

What you'll need: Wrapping paper ($24 for 6 rolls, amazon.com)

Number two pencils have never looked better than in this cute French fry-themed case.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

What you'll need: Letter stickers ($6, amazon.com)

Get your kids excited about the school year and help them get their daily serving of milk with these "pencil" drink stirrers.

Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Occasion.

What you'll need: Crepe paper ($7, amazon.com)

Say it with me: no more messy desks in 2021! This colorblock organizer will keep you and your kiddos tidy all year.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

What you'll need: White foam board ($4, amazon.com)

Your kids are sure to stay on top of their homework assignments with this handy kit that keeps all their supplies in one place.

Get the tutorial at Laura's Crafty Life.

What you'll need: Shower caddy ($14, amazon.com)

Upgrade boring lunch bags with fun stickers. You can even surprise them with a new one each day of the week.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

What you'll need: Brown paper bags ($7, amazon.com)

Add some spunk to their backpack with these fun crochet pins.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

What you'll need: Colored yarn ($12, amazon.com), Hot glue gun ($9, amazon.com)

For once they'll actually want to take notes, even if it's just to show off these stylish covers.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

What you'll need: Spiral notebook ($6, amazon.com)

Back-to-school season means there will be plenty of art projects coming home. Show them how proud you are of their creations with this on-theme display.

Get the tutorial at A Night Owl.

What you'll need: Pants hangers ($19, amazon.com), Craft paint ($12, amazon.com)

Help them break the ice with a new teacher by stringing together this thoughtful gift that they'll put to good use.

Get the tutorial at Artsy Fartsy Mama.

What you'll need: Sharpie markers ($17, amazon.com)