Back-to-school season is here, and if you’re anything like me, you want to make it feel exciting—without breaking the bank. Today I’m sharing how to create a magical back-to-school breakfast celebration complete with DIY big school supplies, thoughtful teacher gifts, and free back-to-school printables PDF you can grab and use right away. Many of these projects use dollar store items, making them perfect for crafters on a budget.
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This year is extra special in our home because my oldest son, is starting kindergarten. Cue all the emotions. To mark the occasion, I pulled together a collection of handmade back-to-school supplies projects that made him feel excited—and maybe helped me process it all, too. Whether you’re sending off your first little one or you’re a seasoned back-to-school pro, I hope these ideas spark something fun for your family or classroom.
Giant DIY School Supplies from Pool Noodles
Let’s kick things off with one of the most fun and colorful elements: oversized school supply decor! These are so simple to make and are amazing props for a back-to-school breakfast, first-day photos, or even classroom decor. This includes:
- DIY giant pencils
- Colored pencils
- Paint brushes
- Watercolor palette
- Large Crayons (How to Make Large Crayons Tutorial Below!)
Most of these are made with—you guessed it—pool noodles!
DIY Giant Pencils
Spray paint pool noodles yellow and pink for the pencil body and eraser, then finish the tip with craft paper, gray cardstock, and a paint marker. These are perfect for decorating stairwells, breakfast tables, or entryways.
DIY Colored Pencils
Following a tutorial from Oh Yay Studio, I cut pool noodles into 8″ segments, spray-painted them in a rainbow of colors, and added cone-shaped tips made from scrap cardstock. These make such a cheerful statement!
DIY Paint Brushes and Watercolor Set
To make DIY paintbrushes, I used black pipe cleaners for the bristles and a blue pool noodle for the handle. The watercolor set came together with foam board, ovals cut from colored cardstock, and duct tape for foldable storage.
How to Make Large Crayons
This was one of my favorite DIYs in the bunch. I used mailing tubes from Michaels and floral foam cones from Dollar Tree. With a little spray paint, washi tape, and cardstock for the classic “crayon wrapper” look, each one cost under $4 to make. If you’re wondering how to make large crayons, this is an easy and affordable way to go.
Mini Crayon Display from Recyclables
If you want a smaller version, I made crayons from toilet paper rolls and a cereal box. All you need is some cardstock, hot glue, and a little patience. The crayon box was made from a cereal box and paper scraps, and it turned out so cute next to one of Finn’s favorite books, The Day the Crayons Made Friends.
DIY Foam Board Paper Sheet
This last-minute addition ended up being one of my favorite projects! I created a giant sheet of notebook paper from Dollar Tree foam board using pink and blue markers. You can cut out vinyl text or handwrite your custom phrase. It’s perfect for photos or to welcome your kids with a fun sign at breakfast.
DIY Ruler Table Runner with Cricut
To pull my table together, I made a fun ruler-themed table runner. I used a cotton runner from Hobby Lobby and a free SVG file I designed. Using my Cricut and Smart Iron-On, I added long ruler marks to the fabric. Even if you don’t have a Cricut, you could recreate this with paint or craft paper.
How to DIY a Back-to-School Breakfast
Now for the main event: setting up your back-to-school breakfast! This is a tradition I want to continue for both of my boys every year. I used my welcome back to school free printables to create a banner, photo props, and plate toppers. I also found fun extras at Target and Dollar Tree like erasers, mini buses, and dry-erase boards to tie it all together.
One of the cutest parts? Printable apple-shaped plate toppers layered on red plates, sitting atop write-and-wipe practice boards from Dollar Tree.
Free Back to School Printables and Pennants
From banners to photo pennants, I created free first day back to school printables for every grade—preschool through 12th. They’re great as cupcake toppers, photo props, or table décor. And if you want them double-sided for photos, print two versions mirrored and sandwich a piece of cardstock in between.
Ready Confetti for the First Day Jitters
One of my most heartfelt projects was a ready confetti bag to help calm first-day nerves. I made colorful confetti from leftover cardstock and added a sweet poem printable you can slip under your child’s pillow the night before. These would be perfect for friends, siblings, or even students.
Teacher Gift Ideas with Free Printables
As the child of two educators, I’m always looking for ways to show appreciation for teachers. These simple gifts go a long way:
- “Dinner & Dishes” gift tags: Add to paper plates with a takeout gift card
- Teacher gift card holders: Shaped like crayons, pencils, or crayon boxes (available as SVG or printable templates)
- Teacher favorites form: Send this in at the beginning of the year to get helpful info on your child’s teacher (and avoid giving candles to someone who doesn’t use them!)
Celebrate the Moments That Matter
I hope these DIY craft school supplies and free back-to-school printables make your transition into the new school year fun and meaningful. Whether you’re planning a back-to-school breakfast, decorating your classroom, or prepping gifts, these projects are affordable, beginner-friendly, and totally customizable.
Everything I used today—including the free back-to-school printables PDF and SVGs—is available in my free file library. Let me know in the comments if your family has any special back-to-school traditions. I’d love to hear them—and maybe borrow a few for next year.
