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16 Fun and Easy Back to School DIY Gift Ideas

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

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  1. K says:

    What a lovely collection of interesting and practical diy gifts.
    Kathleen
    BloggersPitStop

  2. Leanna says:

    This is a very nice assortment of going back to school projects. I like how there is something here for every age from kindergarten to high school.

    • Mary says:

      And even something for us older girls. Did you see that lap top stand. How great would it be to blog from your bed?

  3. Nancy A says:

    Love this roundup of back to school diy gift ideas. I look at handmades as very precious, loving things. Of course I pinned it!

  4. Amy says:

    These are great ideas! I particularly like the pencil organization and the wine cork stamps. So many fun things to try!

  5. jodie filogomo says:

    These are fabulous ideas, Mary!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

  6. Oh Mary! This is a great collection of diy projects! I loved some of them so much and I am thinking how I will add in my house! Thank you for presenting all these ideas 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Christina. I also have a few that I want to try out, and my kids have no school this year.

  7. Nikki says:

    So many goodies on this list! I only have one child going back to school and thankfully all she needed this year was notebooks and pencils! Yeah!
    But there are things on this list that I would love for myself, especially the laptop tray, I could use that on the sofa or the bed and work in comfort!!!

    • Mary says:

      I know Nikki, I have been eyeing that beauty since I first laid eyes on it. And I have no kids going to school this year. But next year will be a different story.

  8. Keri Roberts says:

    Mary, it’s crazy that it’s back to school time. These are all such wonderful DIY idea for those superstar students. Thanks so much for including my projects!

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Keri for letting me share your awesome ideas. I still think about that odd shaped pencil organizer. It truly was a unique find.

  9. Amber Harrop says:

    Loving all these back to school ideas Mary

  10. Amy says:

    Congratulations on the feature at Classy Flamingos.

  11. These are such fun, crafty gifts! I definitely want to keep some of these in mind for the holiday season, too!
    Thanks for sharing at the Make Life Pretty Monday link party!

  12. maria says:

    These gift ideas and fun diy are so adorable! Makes me wish the kids were small again.

  13. LINDA says:

    You’ve been PINKED! Your post was a hit on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party. Come by and pick up a badge this week at poinsettiadr.com You rock!

  14. Chandhini says:

    Great post with lots of fun back to school ideas, though I am in college now, I guess I can use some of the ideas for me too.

  15. Helena says:

    What a wonderful set of activities to aid in the children settling in to school. My favourite has to be the handmade school bag. #CraftyCorner

  16. Kate says:

    Some brilliant ideas! I love the notebooks and using old t-shirts to make cushions is a great way to recycle! #CraftyCorner

  17. Kerryanne says:

    All great projects Mary!!
    Thank you for linking up this week at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather.
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

  18. Marie says:

    So many great ideas for back to school in here, Mary! Thank you so much for including my License Plate Children’s Art in the mix. Pinned and sharing

    • Mary says:

      It was an honor to have your wall art as part of my collection Marie. I’m sure your little guy must be so happy with his room.

  19. cindy says:

    Such cute ideas Mary. I saw a few that my school teacher daughter might even want to do for her class. hugs and blessings, Cindy

    • Mary says:

      I’m glad I could inspire Cindy. We all want the kids to be happy and have a nice room at the start of the school year. Now if they are able to keep it nice is another story.

  20. Stacey says:

    Mary, these are all such fun ideas that really anyone could use. Those back to school days are exciting but I’m glad we are past that at our house. 🙂

    • Mary says:

      Stacey they do keep you on your toes when they are young. I don’t have any in school this year either and it feels so weird.

  21. Oh, wow! There are so many inspiring options! Thank you for including my little sewing project for pocket size packs of tissue! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

    • Mary says:

      Marci thank you for sharing it with us. Now that school has started we have to do our best to keep the kids happy and organized.

  22. 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.

  23. Laurie says:

    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 says:

      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. 😉

  24. 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 says:

      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.

  25. Florence says:

    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 says:

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

  26. Such clever ideas! The desk is so cute and I really like the wall treatment she did.
    It’s funny but I found your email in my junk folder. Don’t know why that happened but glad I checked!
    xxx

  27. Fantastic ideas for kids of all ages.

  28. Snap says:

    Time sure flies. Amazing that it is back to school time. Thanks for sharing these back to school ideas … easy is good!!!!! 😉

  29. Eileen says:

    Hello, these are all wonderful craft ideas and wonderful items for the school child. I even see some I would like to have. Thanks for sharing. BTW, thank also for visiting my blog. Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

    • Mary says:

      Thank you Eileen. Some of these are really fantastic and lend themselves to all students of life.

  30. Poppy says:

    Great ideas, Mary! I really love the pretty knapsack and the laptop table, the second of which I desperately need!
    Have a lovely Thursday!
    Poppy

  31. There are so many here that my granddaughter would love. Time for grandma to get busy!

  32. Meegan Fast says:

    You have collected so many fun and creative ideas, Mary. My grands will LOVE these.

  33. Glenda says:

    I am loving all of your fabulous ideas! I will be using some of them for sure!!

  34. Great bunch of ideas, Mary. There’s nothing quite like starting fresh with organized supplies and work station when the school year starts. Visiting from Grandma’s House party.

    • Mary says:

      That’s right Victoria. We want them to have a nice area to study and a room that reflects their personality.

  35. Katrin says:

    Mary what a fun roundup of ideas for back to school gifts! I didn´t make anything for my ladies this year, they got it all and we just went in their rooms, organized and found stuff we didn´t even know we had. Those were great gifts too, lol! I might make some more organizers for their desks as those always come in handy and i could see myself pimping up those school bags a little too 😉
    Thanks for so much inspiration and for including my projects here as well 🙂

    • Mary says:

      It is always fun when the new school year rolls around Katrin. New bags, notebooks and supplies. But we should never neglect their rooms which will be their havens for the rest of the year.

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