7 Cool Back to School Ideas
Catch these ideas on KOMO-TV’s 4pm News on Monday, August 24th
7 Cool Back to School Ideas
Next week the school year will be starting up again for kids in on the Eastside. That means homework, sports and other activities. Here are some cool and creative ways to keep your kids on track and your family on schedule.
Make bringing lunch to school FUN with this Chalk Cloth Lunchbag. Kids can decorate it, erase it and redecorate it again and again.
Chalk Cloth Lunchbag
Materials: 1/2 yard of chalk cloth, wonder clips or small clothes pins, a button, two inches of elastic cord, 1/3 yard of nylon webbing, chalk markers (we used “chalk writers” instead of regular chalk). Chalk writers are made of chalk mixed with wax so they won’t smear but wash off with a wet sponge. You can also use Bistro Markets but they won’t clean off as well. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instructions
1. Cut center strip 30″ x 8″ and two side panels 12-1/2 x 5″.
2. Fold center piece inside out (making a 5″ bottom) notching a 1/4″ cut at the bottom corners of the sides and middle pieces so the bag folds easily.
3. Sew in on the side panels, using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Turn right inside out.
4. Fold over the edge 1/2″ and top stitch all around to close to the folded edge.
5. Attach the handle to the outside by turning each end of the webbing under 1 inch.
6. Sew handle down 2 inches from the top edge and each end of the handle over 1/2″ from the side seam.
7. Stitch about an inch on each side of the webbing.
8. Sew elastic loop big enough to go around your button in the middle of the top flap.
9. Sew button on the front.
10. Decorate.
Crates can keep kids of all ages organized. Add some chalkboard paint and they become super versatile too.
Chalkboard Paint Crates
Supplies: Wooden Crates, Krylon Chalkboard Paint in Black, two pint sized mason jars, chalk and a white Bistro Market. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instuctions
1. Spray crate(s) with the Krylon Chalkboard Paint and let them dry.
2. Spray the mason jars with Krylon Chalkboard Paint too (they will need a few coats).
3. Using the Bistro Market, Write “Pencils” and “Pens” on the mason jars. Fill with pencils and pens and tie a ribbon on the jars.
4. Write “Books” and “School Supplies” on the crates.
5. Fill with books and mason jars… or whatever you need to organize for back to school.
Getting organized doesn’t have to be boring! Kids can transform wood slices in apple-themed magnets, fun to keep school papers in order.
Wood Slice Apple Magnets & Magnetic Board
Supplies: Wood Slices, red acrylic paint (we used DecoArt in Primary Red), a brown pipe cleaners, green felt, magnets, googly eyes, hot glue, 8 x 10 wooden frame and 8 x 10 magnetic board. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instructions
1. Paint wood slices red, let dry.
2. Cut an inch long piece of pipe cleaner and glue to the back of the wood slice.
3. Cut a small leaf from the felt and glue to the back of the woodslice.
4. Glue the magnet to the back of the wood slice.
5. Glue googly eyes on front.
6. Remove glass from frame and replace with magnetic sheet.
7. Use apple magnets to keep track of school-related info.
With the plastic calendar and some Bistro Markets, you can keep the whole family up to date on what’s happening each month.
Reusable Calendar
Supplies: 12 x 12 wood frame, plastic calendar, Bistro Markers. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instructions: Remove glass from frame and replace with plastic sheet. Use Bistro Markers to write on calendar and erase with a rag.
They’re the perfect treat for the end of the first day school… cute apple cookies!
Apple Cookies with Fondant
Supplies: Circle shaped cookie cutter, Wilton Cookie Sticks, Red Wilton Sugar and Wilton Fondant in chocolate and primary green. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instructions: Use a circle cookie cutter to make “apple” cookies. Sprinkle with red sugar. Roll out green fondant and trace a plastic spoon to make “leaves.” Roll out brown fondant and cut “stems.” Attach to cookies.
It’s a fun way to mark the start of a new school year. Take your child’s photo with this sign!
First Day of School Sign
Supplies: Wooden sign, brown acrylic paint, chalkboard paint and chalk. All supplies available at Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames in Redmond.
Instructions: Paint handle of wooden sign brown. Paint the rest of sign with chalkboard paint. Write “First Day off…” for the first day of a new grade for you child. Take a photo of child with sign.
