This Reader Upcycled Household Items for Back-to-School

I am always looking for ways to repurpose items around the house, not only to save money but to also save the environment. With school around the corner, I decided to see what I could create to make this year the best yet!

First, I removed an old picture from a large photo frame, printed out a blank calendar template, and created an easy dry-erase calendar. Not only can you design it how you want, but you even save money and paper by not having to buy a new calendar each year!

Then, I used smaller photo frames to create mini dry-erase boards for the kids. You can put some colored paper in them for a cute design. For the younger kids, it can be used for spelling practice, math problems, or just drawing fun. For the older kids, the frame is a perfect way to jot down notes while studying.

Now that I had these lovely dry-erase boards, I needed somewhere to store the markers. So, I made an adorable pencil cup representing a character from one of my family’s favorite movies, Minions! I took a clean, emptied soup can and hot glued felt onto it to make the design.

The design possibilities are endless: create a whole army of minions, or change it up and make superheroes, princesses, animals, or colorful patterns. If little ones help with the crafts, some double-sided tape also works instead of the hot glue; hot glue is just more durable.

Finally, my family always has papers and notes lying around the house. I took an old metal baking sheet and glued scrapbook paper to the back inside the rim. I made some magnets by gluing magazine photos onto glass decorative people and added a magnet to the back. I duct-taped some ribbon on the back of the baking sheet and hung it up. Now I organize my family’s notes in a cute way!

I love that I was able to reuse old household items and make cuter solutions to my organization’s woes. An added plus is that crafting these was stress relieving, creative, and primes the kids’ motor skills for the year ahead. It may even lead to those kids looking for homework to do because they want to use their new homemade supplies

P.S. if you don’t have these supplies at home, although it’s not eco-friendly, most items can be purchased at a Dollar Store, which is still more economical than purchasing pre-made items, such as a memo board, from a mass merchandiser.