As vacations draw to an end, tackling back-to-school preparations becomes a priority for parents with kids. This means ticking down endless shopping lists of stationery and books, organizing your home and your kids' belongings to ensure a clean start, and above all, getting your little ones excited and geared up for another jam-packed scholastic year. Sometimes you might need to tighten your belt with all the expenses, but there are some fantastic DIY ideas you could use to save some extra cash, while also turning them into fun activities for yourself and your children to enjoy.
Forget branded and unreasonably-priced lunch boxes - this DIY lunchbox will not only save you money, it will give a fantastic, personalized look to your kid's lunch.
Source: CremeDeLaCraft
For a more organized and appealing way of storing crayons, make this simple banner out of any recycled material you may have. See the step by step instructions here.
Source: SayYes
Your young kids will enjoy this fun activity, which is certain to keep them occupied when times are tight - it simply involves stringing sentences together. Just cover the craft sticks with some magnetic tape, paint over using chalkboard paint, and use chalk to add words to each one. Wash off the words to change them from time to time.
Source: FourMarrsOneVenus
Color-coding is a great way to easily recognize the books you're looking for. Save your kids' time by adding some color to the edges of their notebooks to save them from having to fish through their bags to find the one they need.
Source: Imgur
Make your kids' bags more individual by adding some colorful labels with their names. You can get creative making your own, or you can download some cool ready-made ones (shown above) from here.
Source: SimplyKellyDesigns
Combining both a notebook and a chalkboard, this modifiable notebook cover is the sort of thing kids will love to scribble on, but can just as easily be removed.
Source: WarmHotChocolate
These colorful labels are sure to enliven your kids' books. Make your own or find the printable, more enlarged versions of the above here.
Source: OrangeYouLucky
Be inspired by the above fancy bookplates or download a copy of them from here.
Source: LavendersBlueDesigns
8. Build up a Special Homework Board
You only need a few recycled materials to create this fantastic bulletin board. Make it as colorful and attractive as possible so your kids can enjoy organizing their homework in a systematic way. Learn how to make it here.
Source: SheKnows
Tape is cheap, but can easily liven up the appearance of plain books, pencils, pockets, files and more. Use your creativity to form patterns and appealing color combinations.
Source: CoolMomPicks
This Family Makes Art. The Beach is Their Canvas
This family creates art together! Imagine what it would be like to wander on the beach and see their work in progress.
One That Really Feels Like the Real Deal: DIY Potato Chips
Enjoy your homemade potato chips, but this time they'll come out crunchy, guaranteed.
Be Aware of the 15 Silent Signs of Childhood Anxiety
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How to Make Your Own Emergency Candles!
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Parenting Tips: How to Put a 2 Year Old to Bed
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This Romanian Artist Redefines Glass Art
She makes marine life-themed glass vessels of all sorts: wine glasses, small glasses, bottles, pitchers, and even ceramic vessels.
Did You Know You Shouldn't Store These Foods in the Fridge?
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Safe & Natural Recipes to Add Scent to Your Home
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How To Prevent Roaches From Entering Your Home
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Olive Oil Has so Many Different Uses - Here Are 25 of Them
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Video Guide: Peel a Potato in Less Than a Minute
In this video guide, you will learn how to peel potatoes as quickly as possible.
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
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This Special Kind of Bread is Both Beautiful and Delicious
Tired of regular bread? How about surprising everyone with this beautiful and delicious "Watermelon Bread"? It's so easy to make!
Stunning! The Evolution of Beauty From 1952 to Today
Our definition of beauty may change as years go by but these pictures prove that true beauty is timeless.
9 Smart Ways to Store Your Clothes Without a Closet!
Don’t have a closet? No problem. Store your clothes using these handy tips.
Feeling Drowsy After Lunch? Here’s How To Control It
Do you often find yourself feeling a little sleepy after lunch everyday? Then these tips might help you control that.
For Beautiful Hair and Skin, Neem Tree Oil Is All You Need
This natural remedy is all you need in your medicine cabinet for great hair and skin.
We All Have Aspirin - And Here Are 9 Things to Use It For
Aspirin is about as pedestrian a pill as you can think of - or so you might think! In reality it has loads of surprising uses. Here are 9 of the best.
Here's Why You Should Start Using Eggshells in Your Garden
If you throw all your eggshells in the trashcan you're missing out as they can be very beneficial to your garden. Here are 6 garden uses for eggshells.
24 Zip Tie Hacks That'll Make Your Life Much Easier
Zip ties have an array of different uses. The following 24 zip tie uses will change your life for the better.
15 Time-Saving Cooking Tricks to Make Your Life Easier
Try out these various food hacks that are clever and easy and are sure to change the way you eat.
How to Choose a Moisturizer That Will Actually Work
Choosing the right moisturizer can be tricky. To make things easier, we listed the most important ingredients to look for in an effective moisturizer.
17 Common Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Bathroom
Keep your bathroom spotless with significantly less effort by avoiding these 17 biggest bathroom cleaning mistakes people make all the time
7 Items You Should Never Clean with Paper Towels
As useful as they are, paper towels are not fit for any task. Here are 7 items you should never clean with paper towels.
15 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Spotless With Ease
Tips and tricks that'll help you keep your home clean with speed and ease.
11 DIY Lamp Shades That’ll Brighten Up Every Home!
Lighting makes all the difference in a house's atmosphere but is usually super expensive. now you can make your own lampshades at a fraction of the cost!
Avoid These Email Clichés and Communicate More Effectively
Watch out for the outdated phrases below and upgrade your email vocabulary with thoughtful and unique sentiments.
Your Ultimate Guide to Wearing that Suit!
A beginner's guide to wearing a suit the right way.
Follow These 3 Easy Steps to Ripen an Avocado in Minutes
This foolproof trick will make your rock hard avocado soft and creamy in mere minutes. Just follow these simple instructions...
Solve Common Issues With Your Clothes Using These 20 Tips
Keep your clothes in perfect condition with these nifty tricks!
Tea Is Much More Than a Drink. It Has MANY Other Uses!
Tea isn't just for drinking, it's one of the most helpful materials in the house!
Why You Need to Avoid Palm Oil Right Away
Palm oil is harmful to the environment. Here's what to do about it.
Surprising Ways to Use ChapStick You Might Not Know About
Here are some of my favorite uses for this unassuming household product.
Are Your Houseplants Leaking Water? This Is What It Means
Is it good if your indoor plants are emitting droplets of water? Every houseplant owner ought to know the answer to this one...
This DIY Shampoo Bar is Easy to Make and Great for Hair
Why harm your hair with toxic chemicals when you can make a natural shampoo bar at home?
Make One of These Magical Glass Terrariums at Home!
You can create this simple terrarium in just 1-2 hours using basic and inexpensive materials.
5 Things to Start Doing Every Day If Things Feel Stressed
Here are 5 priceless key tips that can make your life more productive and less stressful!
A Better Kitchen: 20 Tips You Can't Afford to Miss
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How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
8 Pressure Points for Improving Memory and Concentration
Whenever you feel stress starting to affect your concentration, or if you just want to improve your memory, try these 8 points ...
Eating Out? How to Pick the Healthier Meals
If you're looking to stay on a healthy diet, we have compiled some recommendations for you regarding what to look out for in various international cuisines.
10 Fantastic Tips for Perfectly Folded Clothes
Folding can be such a chore, and hard to get right. Here are 10 incredibly easy ways to fold your clothes fast and right!
These 10 Phrases Will Make People Like You a Lot More!
Your choice of words can leave a long after the particulars have been forgotten. Here are 10 phrases you should add to your daily speech.
Scent Your Home with this Simple 3-Ingredient DIY Diffuser!
I never knew making your own home diffuser can be this easy!
You Should be Growing These 10 Healthy Herbs at Home!
Make your diet a lot healthier by growing these healthy and delicious herbs.
Kitchen Tips: How Long You Can Keep Leftovers?
It’s crucial to know how long different leftover foods can last in your fridge, and when it’s time to part ways with them for your own safety and health
Treat Your Kitty With This DIY Cat Hammock
Share this video tutorial with all the cat owners you know. They're sure to appreciate it!