Well folks, it’s that time of year again: Polish your apples and sharpen your pencils. It’s time to get ready to go back to school!*
* Whoa. Did you hear the collective sigh of relieved parents all across the internet? Me too!
When I was coming up, the best part of back to school shopping was going to store to pick up school supplies. Pens, pencils, two-pocket folders, maybe even a Trapper Keeper. Remember those? Nowadays kids to everything on their fancy electrogizmos, but let me tell you, a childhood without a Trapper Keeper isn’t a real childhood.
But I digress. School supplies are still in demand and now is the time of year when an influx of papers, notebooks, textbooks and office supplies start parading across kitchen tables. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spot to coral all that stuff together and out of the way? And wouldn’t it be nice if the kids could make it themselves? And it would look cool? Thought so.
To get inspired for this school year, I’m working with Michaels to help teachers and parents create DIY projects that will keep young students on track. Michael’s is calling this their #Create2Educate campaign, and you can join in the fun. Details to follow below, but for now let’s take a look at how easy these are to make.
MATERIALS
- 3-5 Empty cardboard cartons (leftover cereal, pasta, and granola bar boxes seem to work just great)
- Duck Tape (have you seen the colors and patterns this stuff comes in these days?)
- Scissors
- Cardboard tubes (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place your cardboard cartons side by side then tape the bottoms together. For this first step, you may find it helpful to employ a second pair of hands (one person to hold, one person to tape).
- Trim the tops of the boxes off to the desired heights.
- Keep wrapping the tape over and around the surface of the boxes and just inside the rim. You may wish to use a credit card or the back of a spoon to make sure the tape gets into every corner.
- To convert the front pocket into a marker caddy, insert a few empty cardboard tubes trimmed to size. They will keep pens and pencils standing upright and accessible!
TIPS
- Here I worked in stripes, but you may find it easier to work in an abstract ‘paper-mache’ style.
- Surface wrinkles are part of the fun, but you will find them easy to disguise by choosing a patterned duck tape.
I just know you crafty peoples (and your kiddos) have a million great ideas up your sleeve. So get out there and show of them skillz. It’s back to school!
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