Skip to Content

16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas

Sharing is caring!

Would you believe it is time for school to begin?  Why in fact schools have already started in many parts of the world.  

I did a casual survey on my Facebook page and found out that the traditional school opening of Labor Day and after, no longer seems to apply! In fact most of the readers who answered said school starts before Labor day in their regions. And let’s not talk about South Africa, they start in January!  That one totally threw me off.  

Well I think those poor kids should have a few more weeks of relaxation to drive mom crazy just a bit more “wink”!  But when they do finally go back to school, why not give them a gift to celebrate. But not any gift!  Here are my 16 fun and easy Back to School DIY gift ideas.

Logo, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Today I’m sharing with you 16 fun suggestions for simple DIY projects that can be made as gifts for your youngster or grandchild who will be starting school, or have already started. ​​Because let’s face it practical gifts are the best!

Getting Organized​

Look at these pretty pocket packs, from Marci of Stone Cottage Adventures. This is a great way for the kids to store their napkins and other little things.  
Pocket pack from Stone Cottage Adventures, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
A fun idea is to take a school bag and personalize it so that no one else has one just like it.  I did this for my daughter’s bag by adding fabric that I repurposed from a dress. 
upcycled school back from the boondocks blog, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Laurie of My Husband has too Many Hobbies took some mason jars and placed them on top of a candle holder to create this fun and oh so colorful caddy holder. This would look great in a kid’s room and also keep the mess at bay. 
DIY Mason Jar Craft Caddy from My Husband Has too Many Hobbies, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Keri of Repurposing Junkie has streamlined the pencil organizers by using a box with cut out holes.  She upcycled it into this pretty organizer!
pencil organizer from Repurposing Junkie, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
How about making these custom notebooks by Ayda from CafenoHut for Heart Handmade UK .  I think they are just adorable and you can choose which fabric to use.
Custom Notebooks from Heart Handmade uk, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Of course you can gussy up the tin cans by using wrapping paper and bits of lace.  Katrin of KreativK has done such a wonderful job of making these tin cans look anything but ordinary. 
repurposed tin cans from KreativK, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Another great way to organize all their valuables is by taking an old box and painting it in their favorite color.  They can put anything at all inside and have it as a special place for their keepsakes. It would also make a great gift as a theme.  My daughter  filled it with goodies for a friend who enjoys writing. 
upcycled box for keepsakes from the boondocks blog, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com

DIY Ideas for their Rooms:

This coat rack from Keri of Repurposing Junkie is the perfect place for the little ones to hang their bags and coats when they get home.  And you will not believe what it was repurposed from. 
Coat rack from Repurposing Junkie, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
I took the lazy way and repurposed the side of a crib to make this  hanging wall organizer for my kids bags, hats, clothes and scarves. It was super easy and it hold a lot of stuff that would otherwise end up on the floor. 
repurposed crib side as organizer from the boondocks blog, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Disclosure: The items below are affiliate links and link to Amazon.com. If you purchase any of these products through the links, I receive a small commission, that way I can continue to provide you with lovely content.  There is no extra charge to you for purchasing through my affiliate links.
​​​​​

​Now this next DIY project, a Laptop Table,  from Allison of Upright and Caffeinated (gotta love that name)  is so great I wouldn’t even give it to the kids. I’d want to keep it all for myself.  Who wants to be able to work and relax at the same time?
Laptop Table from Upright and Caffeinated, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
And if you are good with the power tools you can make this industrial style wood crate by Pili of My Sweet Things. Imagine all the things the kids will be able to keep in this cool crate. 
Industrial Crate from My Sweet Things, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
Another great gift is this whimsical little table with giant pencil legs from Michelle of A Crafty Mix. This would be especially great for the younger set. 
pencil table from A Crafty Mix, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
You can also update their desk with some paint. Katrin of Kreativ K wanted to renew her daughter’s desk and make it more fun. With just a little paint and some clever thinking she did just that in a stylish way. 
Upcycled Desk from KreativK, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com

The Finishing Touches:

And to add a finishing touch some throw pillows that I made from old tee shirts and hoodies. Because nothing goes to waste in my house!
Repurposed t-shirts and hoodies into Pillows, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
How about putting something fun on the walls?  Marie of The Interior Frugalista made this adorable License Plate Art that is just perfect for a child’s room. 
License plate into children's wall art from the Interior Frugalista, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
And last but not least I had to include this adorable idea from  Gabi of Obraznicaturi.  She made these cute stamps out of wine corks. They are Christmas themed but really you can make them with any types of shapes. And the kids will have a blast with them. 
Wine corks repurposed into stamps from Obraznicaturi, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
School has started but that doesn’t mean we have to go out and spend a ton of money to get the kids organized and ready.  These are simple solutions to common issues at the start of the school year.  Instead of having it be a chore, let’s put some fun in it and give the kids what they want in the form of gifts. 

I hope you have enjoyed my collection of 16 fun and easy back to school DIY gift ideas.  Do you ever give gifts to your little ones at the start of the school year? 

Getting the kids ready for school can be fun and easy with these 16 DIY gift ideas, 16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas www.theboondocksblog.com
If you like what you see, share it with your friends, or save it on Pinterest.  Above is a Pinterest worthy image!

​If you really like what you see subscribe to my blog and get my adventures twice a week in your mailbox – never more because I’m too exhausted to do more. The form is on the sidebar and your e-mail will never be shared with a third party. 

​​
Picture
More Back to School Ideas:
<< Sweet Inspiration Link Party #70     HOME     Sweet Inspiration Link Party #71 >>        

Linking up to these Link Parties

This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.

I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. ​Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Amy

Friday 24th of August 2018

Congratulations on the feature at Classy Flamingos.

Mary

Saturday 25th of August 2018

Thanks so much Amy!

Florence

Monday 21st of August 2017

Great idea to do a round-up at Back-to-School time! Those are all cute ideas & show that bloggers are a creative bunch. It wouldn't be fair to pick just one. I like them all!

Mary

Monday 21st of August 2017

I do too Florence. After all if their rooms are nice they are much more likely to study, right?

Michelle Leslie

Monday 21st of August 2017

Thanks so much Mary for including the little pencil desk in your awesome roundup of back to school ideas. This year is the very first time I'm actually doing a back to school gift in August, what with Calin off to study in Canada and I must admit it feels a little weird. It still fascinates me how some things are so different between the hemispheres and yet somethings are exactly the same too. I'll be pinning your ideas so I can come back to in January to get some inspiration for when my daughter starts her final school year in January

Mary

Monday 21st of August 2017

It is definitely bittersweet when they grow up Michelle. This is the first year I won't have any in school. They grow so fast and we are so proud of them to see them spreading their wings. Good luck to both of them.

Laurie

Monday 21st of August 2017

Mary, Thanks so much for including my Craft Caddy in your round up today! Love all these ideas! I'm thinking Mom needs a laptop desk too!

Mary

Monday 21st of August 2017

Laurie your caddy is so full of brightness and sunshine it makes a perfect addition to a kids room. Yes I know about that laptop desk. ;)

Linda at Mixed Kreations

Monday 21st of August 2017

What a fun roundup Mary! All the projects would make a nice back to school gift. The little caddies would be great for the little ones keeping pencils, and crayons organized. I have a thing for note pads, so I would love the fabric covered note book.

Mary

Tuesday 22nd of August 2017

I was swooning over those notebooks too. Love all the pretty fabrics.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.