The first item is a decorative tray for every category of paperwork that comes home, school information papers, homework that’s not due right away, homework that is due right away, and one bin for papers that need to be read and kept.

Next you can make some fun pens and pencils that are easy to find and fun to use. The kids will want to do their homework when they get to use these fun pens and pencils. And the last item you can make to help organize your child’s school items is a container for all those little items that are needed, like erasers, paperclips, and sticky notes.

And remember, when making these items let the kids get creative and have fun.

Supplies needed for the Decorative Trays:

3 or 4 unfinished wood trays
Scrapbook paper in school themes
School themed stickers
Modge Podge
Sponge brushes
Americana red acrylic paint
Americana lamp black acrylic paint
Americana titanium white acrylic paint
Americana school bus yellow acrylic paint
Masking tape
Paper plate or paint palette
Photocopied pictures

For the first tray, cut the scrapbook paper into 2 x 2 squares to make tiles to fit inside the tray. Next paint the tray with the American acrylic paints, to match the scrapbook paper, let it dry for 30 minutes. Next brush the Modge Podge onto the tray one area at a time, then brush the Modge Podge onto the paper squares one at a time. The Modge Podge dries quickly so be sure to do only a little area at a time. Place the square onto the tray; repeat that step for all of the squares. After all of the squares are in place then brush another layer of Modge Podge over all of the squares. Place the school stickers all over the outside of the tray and brush a layer of Modge Podge over the entire tray with a sponge brush to seal everything.

For the remaining trays get creative, add pictures of the kids, favorite places to visit, or just a bunch of different stickers. Make sure you brush the Modge Podge over every part of the tray when you are done so that the tray has a sealer on it.

Supplies needed for the pens:

3 to 4 pens
3 to 4 pencils
Green floral tape
Different silk flowers (you could purchase a floral bush with different flowers on it)
Race track 3-D foam bucket (can be purchased at your local craft store)
Americana lamp black acrylic paint
The Ultimate brand craft glue
White Deco Art paint pen
Xacto knife
White metal can
Mini river rock pebbles (can be purchased at your local craft store)

For the flower pen and pencil you need to cut the flowers that you would like to use. When cutting them leave about an inch of the stem. Next, take the floral tape and wrap it around the pen or pencil starting at the bottom of the pen or pencil and working your way up to the top. W hen you are about an inch from the top place the stem of the flower onto the side of the pen or pencil and continue wrapping the floral tape around the stem and pen or pencil. Once you reach the top come back down to where the stem starts and cut the tape, it will stick to itself but you could place a bit of craft glue on the end of the tape to make it secure. Put the mini river rock pebbles into the metal floral tin and place the flower pens in the rocks.

For the race car pen or pencil you need to put the cars from the bucket together. Next, using the Xacto knife, cut a small slit in the bottom of the race car so that the top of the pen or pencil can fit. Paint the pen or pencil with the Americana lamp black acrylic paint and let it dry for 30 minutes. Draw small lines from the top of the pen or pencil to the bottom with the Deco Art paint pen to make it look like the stripes on a road. Glue the four race track pieces together with the Ultimate craft glue and cut slits in different places so that you can put the pens and pencils into the race track

Supplies needed for Clay Saucer Container:

5” clay saucer
Modge Podge
Americana Red acrylic paint
Americana Yellow acrylic paint
School themed stickers
Masking tape
Sponge brush

Paint the clay saucer with the American Yellow paint and let it dry for 30 minutes. Tape off the clay saucer with the masking tape in a weaving pattern, and paint the open areas of the saucer with the American Red acrylic paint and let it dry for 30 minutes. Place school themed stickers all over the saucer and brush Modge Podge over the entire saucer to seal it.

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