Cool Back to School Crafts and Activities

It's hard to believe, but fall is just around the corner and it's time to start thinking about some back to school activities for kids. Back to school crafts are a good way to get the young ones excited about the new school year and back to school activities can save some money, too. Here are some back to school craft ideas that will help get things started.

Denim Book Bag

Back to school crafts for kids can be challenging, but this is one idea that can be fun and stylish, with a little help from Mom.

Materials:

Old pair of jeans (any color)

Pair of scissors (fabric scissors preferred)

Belt (cotton preferred)

Needle and thread (or sewing machine)

How to:

Zip jeans closed and turn them inside out. Use scissors (Mom can help with this) to cut off each leg 3 inches from the crotch. Fold the jeans in half and line up the seams, as if to iron in a crease in the front and back.

Close-stitch the leg openings together (or use sewing machine) one inch from the cut edge. Trim off the cut edge ½ inch from the stitching.

Turn the jeans right side out. Thread the belt through the loops and tie the ends together.

(Alternate: Ends can be sewn together using heavier thread.)

Voila! The book bag is done. Add glitter, lapel buttons, or anything else to decorate the bag. This is one of the simpler back to school craft ideas for kids.

Carryall Tins

Back to school activities for kids should be both practical and fun. Here's a very useful back to school crafts idea that's easy to make and versatile.

Materials:

Small tin boxes, such as the kind breath mints (Altoids) come in

Paper (white or colored)

Magnetic sheet with adhesive backing

Colored pencils or markers

Pair of scissors (Mom and Dad will help)

How to:

Trace an outline of the box lid onto paper and magnetic sheet. Draw and color in any design in the cutout section of the paper.

Cut out the outlined section of the paper and magnetic sheet. Peel off the adhesive backing and attach the cutout paper, carefully lining the two pieces up.

Attach the magnetic sheet piece to the top of the box.

Make special paper designs for lunch money, house keys, or other small items. Make different interchangeable designs for the boxes. This is a practical and fun idea for back to school activities for kids.

Laminated Bookmarks

The little ones need some fun back to school activities, too. Here's an easy to make back to school crafts idea for ages 4 and up.

Materials:

Construction paper (white or colored)

Pair of scissors (for Mom or Dad)

Colored pencils or markers, or crayons

Peel-and-stick laminating sheets

Yarn, feathers (optional)

Household glue or clear tape

Ruler

How to:

Draw outlines of bookmarks on construction paper (any size is good - standard bookmark is 2x7 inches).

Use colored pencils, etc. to draw and design artwork on each bookmark. Small photos can be used, too.

Cut out each bookmark (Mom or Dad will do this). Yarn or feathers can be added to the top of the bookmark with glue or tape.

Peel backing off laminating sheet and place bookmark on it, pressing down firmly. Fold sheet over bookmark, pressing and smoothing to remove air bubbles. Use fingernail to seal edges together (Mom and Dad: pre-cut the laminate to allow for folding over plus ½ inch on sides and ends).

Trim off edges of laminating sheet. Leave enough border to hold laminating sheet together.

These are just a few of the back to school crafts that kids can have fun making. Back to school activities can help the kids and the parents, get ready for the new school year.