21 Back-to-School DIYs for Parents

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Collage of back-to-school crafts
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Summer is great for family time but let's face it, you might secretly be jumping for joy that your child is returning to school right about...now. Extend that joy to your kid with these fun DIYs that make academia a lot more exciting than just a set of sharpened No. 2 pencils.

Image Credit: Demand Media
Washi tape book cover
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Washi Tape Book Cover

Using decorative tape is a great way to add playful character to your kid's textbook covers. Help your child wrap the book with paper bags and then let their creativity run wild!

Image Credit: Stephanie Morgan
Pillow lap desk
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Pillow Lap Desk

This clever DIY lap desk will allow your children to do homework away from their normal station (every once in a while). It's also a great way to keep your laptop from getting too hot on your lap, so you might be borrowing it often!

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong
Personalized lunch box
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Personalized Lunch Box

Create a special way for your kid to tote their lunch. The name panel means they won't ever misplace it and the black contact paper acts as a spot for sweet notes to your child (before they get too old to be embarrassed by it).

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong
Handmade backpack
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DIY Backpack

If you're not digging the idea of sending your child back to school with the same backpack that every other kid is carrying, it's time to grab some fabric and start sewing. Your kid will appreciate that the bag expresses their personal style, whether it's gingham or polka dots.

Image Credit: Shauna Wightman
Button bookmark
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Button Bookmarks

Make a bunch of these for the little bookworm in your life. They're so clever and easy, it'll be hard not to craft one for every single book on your child's reading list.

Image Credit: Kenzie Mastroe
Wreath made out of pencils
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Pencil Wreath

Consider this door décor a smart way to get your child in the back-to-school spirit. No. 2 pencils surround a chalkboard circle for words of encouragement or reminder notes.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong
Pompom bookmarks
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Pompom Bookmark

Add a little cheer to your child's book with pompom bookmarks. Made simply by twirling colorful yarn around your fingers and snipping them at each end, this will be a fun afternoon project to do together before the school year starts.

Image Credit: Amanda Nguyen
Chalkboard desk
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Creative Desk

Mark this one for the weekend (it'll be totally worth it). An unused cabinet is upcycled into a low table that lets your child channel their artistic spirit. The chalkboard top even opens up to reveal storage for colored paper and reading books.

Image Credit: Rachel Pereira
Lazy Susan homework station
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Rotating School Supply Stand

Doing homework or studying for a test is not exciting by any stretch of the imagination, but you can at least make the area peppy and colorful to jazz up the ambiance.

Image Credit: Amanda Nguyen
Felt pencil case
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Pencil Case

This is one pencil pouch your kid will be proud to whip out in class. Contrast stitching and the addition of a cute animal button make this DIY even more adorable.

Image Credit: Amanda Nguyen
Homework station collage
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Homework Station

Whether you designate a small corner or an entire room for schoolwork, the importance is finding a space that works for your home. These tips and ideas will help you no matter what kind of real estate you're working with.

Image Credit: Stephanie Morgan
Apple piñata
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Apple Piñata

Craft this adorable piñata filled with school supplies and invite your kid's friends for a little back-to-school fun.

Image Credit: Kelly Lanza
Canvas lunch pouch
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Reusable Lunch Bags

This eco-friendly canvas bag is made personal with stamped letters carved out of a potato, so it can be a fun project for the entire family.

Image Credit: Kelly Lanza
Lunch bag labels
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Lunch Labels

And if you do have days when your reusable lunch bags are out of commission (it happens), you can still opt for a more specialized brown bag with these free printable stickers.

Image Credit: Kelly Lanza
Stamped library bag
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Custom Library Bag

Get your kids excited about visiting the library with this DIY bag. Designing it together makes it exponentially more fun, especially when it involves stencils and paint. We love the term "Book Lover In Training" but choosing a phrase with your little one is even more meaningful.

Image Credit: Stephanie Morgan
Inbox and outbox
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DIY School Paper Station

Create a station with an inbox and an outbox to make sure that finished homework is never misplaced, permission slips are signed, and notices from the school are read in a timely manner.

Image Credit: Stephanie Morgan
Journal with inspirational quotes
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Journal Cover

Inspire your kids with meaningful quotes that will help them dream and be proactive. When it's written right in front of a notebook that they're seeing everyday, they'll be reminded and motivated to keep pushing.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong
Canvas book cover
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Canvas Book Covers

While it requires a little more work than the average paper book cover, this canvas version will give any unsightly textbook a makeover. Color coordinating makes it easier to remember the subject of the book.

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong
School supply caddy
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DIY Supply Caddy

Cereal boxes are a lot more useful when they're transformed into a caddy for school and art supplies. Wrap it in a fun wrapping paper (or two if you like the mix-and-match look).

Image Credit: Jonathan Fong

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