These back to school crafts are easy, useful, and fun to make! All of them use Mod Podge, and there are 40+ projects to choose from.
Skills Required: Beginner. All of these ideas are easy beginner to more advanced beginner, but some take longer than others. Just make sure you observe dry times and you’ll have great success with these projects.
I can’t believe it’s almost that time again. Summer just started, and now it’s almost over. What is going on around here? I don’t know how it is in your neck of the woods, but around here, school shopping gets pretty crazy.
I feel like I can’t go into the back-to-school supply section of a store without worrying about losing a leg. There are so many people!
In terms of strategy, I like to buy school supplies all at once. I figure one visit is enough, assuming I can remember and/or find everything. Then after I buy supplies, I add my own personal touches with Mod Podge (what else?).
To help you out, I put together a collection of over forty projects to get you inspired. Are you ready to personalize your back-to-school items and make some new things for your (or your child’s) study space?
Check out these tutorials below and let me know which are your favorite – and which ones you’ve tried – in the comments.
1
DIY Organizer Bins
Gussy up some Dollar Tree organizer bins with Mod Podge in this easy dollar store craft! This project is great for using up small pieces of fabric, and perfect for sorting school desk drawers.
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2
Backpack Charms
Use your favorite patterns of Duck Tape to make these easy backpack charms. Kids will love assembling these in a matter of minutes!
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3
DIY Aesthetic Journal Cover
One of the easiest back to school crafts is decorating notebooks! Students love personalizing their supplies and here's how you do it the easy way.
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4
DIY Desk Organizer
Use old cereal boxes and toilet paper rolls to create a unique DIY desk organizer! This craft organizer is perfect if you're on a budget.
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5
DIY Filing Cabinet Makeover
Learn how to how to make a filing cabinet look nice with paint, paper, and Mod Podge!
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6
DIY Mouse Pad
Learn how to make a mouse pad using a cork circle. This craft is inexpensive and really easy – and you probably have the supplies on hand.
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7
Photo Magnets
Learn how to make easy personalized magnets using photos you'll print yourself! This is an easy and inexpensive gift to make.
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8
Steve Carrell
Make a DIY Cord Organizer on a Budget
You can make a DIY cord organizer for back to school using this tutorial! This cable organizer can be made in minutes – we even provide a template.
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9
Decoupage Desktop
Learn how to decoupage a desk with postcards, or paper that looks like postcards. This is an easier project than you think, and it's a fun way to make over a student's desk at home.
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10
DIY Personalized Pencils
Learn how to make custom pencils with pretty paper and Mod Podge! These paper wrapped pencils are a really easy craft.
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11
Decorate an IKEA Magazine Holder
Want an easy craft idea? Grab an IKEA magazine holder and paint it for decor in a home office or student's work area! Add your favorite Duck Tape to personalize.
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12
DIY iPad Case Made for a Dollar
This DIY iPad case started as a $1 find from the dollar store! I then decoupaged a fabric scrap to the outside, making it a custom case.
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13
FamilyFun
Five Ideas for Personalized Backpacks
Why buy a new backpack when you can get creative and makeover the one you already have? Kids will LOVE these unique ideas for personalized backpacks!
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14
DIY Pencil Holder
Learn how to make a pencil holder with a glass jar and Mod Podge – it's the easiest craft ever!
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15
Decoupage Chair Covered with Maps
Need a new desk chair to make your student feel engaged? This one with maps is easier than you think. Even better if you can find a used school chair to re-do!
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16
Vintage Globe Revamp
Learn how to customize a vintage globe with your favorite images from children's books – this is such a unique home decor project and perfect for a desk or study area.
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17
Pretty Life Girls
School Pouch Painting
You don’t need painting skills to create these beautiful abstract painted zipper pouches – with a custom DIY gem charm that you can make!
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18
Steve Carrell
DIY Dry Erase Board and Chalkboard
This dual DIY dry erase board and chalkboard makes a lovely teacher’s gift, but is also perfect for anyone that wants to get organized for back to school!
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19
Glitter Phone Case
Start the school year off with a few new accessories for your electronics. If you want to decorate a phone case with glitter, I'll show you how in a few easy steps!
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20
DIY Cell Phone Holder
Learn how to make a cell phone holder out of a lotion bottle, and decorate with Mod Podge and fabric.
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21
Easy DIY Travel Mug on a Budget
Depending on the age of your student, he or she might like a hot beverage on school mornings. Maybe that student is you. This travel mug is easy to personalize with paper.
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22
Decorate Scissors with Washi Tape
Learn how to decorate scissors using your favorite patterned tapes and a little creativity! This is SO easy; anyone can do it.
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23
Easy Magnetic Chalkboard Made with a Canvas
Use magnetic paint and chalkboard paint on canvas to make a surface with two personalities! You can use this for writing on and hanging important notes (plus pictures to keep you motivated, as well!).
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24
Decorative Push Pins Using Mod Podge Melts
Make your space too cute to boot this school year with these decorative push pins! Great for a dorm room or office, and SO easy to make.
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25
Aki Altuna
DIY Bulletin Board For Your Wall in Ten Minutes
Looking for a DIY bulletin board idea that takes about ten minutes? This is just the project for you! It’s really easy to do and is budget friendly.
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26
Steve Carrell
DIY iPad Case with Wood Grain Duck Tape
Use woodgrain Duck Tape to make this DIY iPad case. It’s no sew, lined, and assembles in about 15 minutes. Perfect for school or office!
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27
Pretty Life Girls
DIY Door Hangers with a Chalkboard Surface
Use a clear chalkboard finish to decorate these modern DIY door hangers for back to school! Make them in any pattern and color palette to match your decor.
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28
DIY Pen Cup Using Vintage Comic Books
Fun desk accessories always make me feel more engaged and motivated. If your star pupil likes comic books, this is a perfect craft!
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29
DIY Notebook Covers
Learn how to cover a notebook with scrapbook papers and Mod Podge! This is such an easy way to customize.
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30
Jacy Pulford
DIY Wall Organizer from an Embroidery Hoop
This cute no sew project allows you to take an embroidery hoop and fabric to make a wall organizer! It’s so easy that anyone can do it, and it only takes a few minutes to make.
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31
How to Decorate a Wood Crate with Mod Podge
Use adhesive stencils and sand to decorate a wood crate. It's perfect for holding books, school work, folders, or anything else you need to store.
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32
DIY Perpetual Calendar (with Free Printable!)
I don't know how many other students like to know the date, but I always did. This perpetual calendar is perfect for a desk, and there's even a free printable provided.
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33
DIY Magnets with a Fun Theme
Do you like to hang stuff on magnet boards? Like homework, inspiration, important ideas, things to do? Make your own magnets to dress up your space a little.
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34
Clothespin Magnets Are Easy to Make
Here are some additional magnets, but this time they also hang things easily since they're clothespins! Easy to make and so cute for decorating a dorm room or other space.
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35
No-Sew Tote Decorating
Does your student like taking a tote to school instead of a backpack? It's easy to personalize your own with your favorite fabrics – here's how it's done.
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36
Basket Labels
Learn how to make these DIY basket tags with simple supplies. SO easy, anyone can do it.
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If you enjoyed these back to school crafts, you might also like these other unique ideas:
Walter Silva
Thursday 25th of July 2013
Love the Globe! Great tutorials here!