31 Back to School Projects to Make with Your Grandkids
Kids, parents, and grandparents will love making these quick and easy DIY back to school supplies!

Nothing says back to school season like seeing store shelves lined with backpacks, lunch boxes, and notebooks. Shopping for back to school supplies can easily become expensive, so save your budget and make some super fun back to school accessories that your kids and grandkids will love showing off in class. This list of back to school projects to make with your grandkids includes all kinds of school necessities that kids can help make and personalize with their favorite characters, prints, or patterns!
From adorable backpacks to trendy locker organizers, this list of DIY back to school supplies has everything your grandkids need to welcome the new school year. These easy sewing projects are great for kids of all ages too, from pre-k and kindergarten kids to college freshmen. These fun DIY sewing projects for school are a wonderful way to make special memories with your grandkids, and your little ones will love sewing with Grandma. Start the school year off right with these back to school projects that adults and kids will love!
Table of Contents
Looking for even more excellent back to school ideas? Then be sure to download our free eBook! "6 Free Sewing Projects to Make for Going Back to School" eBook
Back to School Projects
From pencil cases to notebook covers, these easy back to school projects are perfect for kids in any grade! These fun DIY ideas are a great way for your kids and grandkids to show off their personalities and create school supplies that their classmates will be envious of. These quick sewing projects are the best way to make some fun memories without breaking the bank.
- I-Heart-School Backpack Pattern
This free sewing pattern lets you create a fashion-forward backpack for your daughter or granddaughter that's sure to take her to the head of the class. With this free bag pattern, you can create a stylish backpack that tiny bookworms will love wearing to school or to the library.
- DIY Laptop Sleeve Pattern
With this laptop sleeve sewing pattern, you can create a birthday or holiday gift for the technophile in your life, or a simple and stylish case for your own computer. After all, you can never have too many sewn accessories, especially when it comes to transporting your valuables in style.
- Plaid DIY Backpack
Sew a bag from a lined men's flannel shirt with this sewing tutorial. You won't have to buy any fabric—you just need the shirt and some ribbon or rope for this drawstring bag pattern.
- Push the Envelope Laptop Case
This easy step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make your own laptop case out of your favorite printed fabric. With this fast sewing tutorial, you can whip up your laptop sleeve for the techie in your life in no time at all!
- Feed Sack Messenger Bag
You can carry so much in a messenger bag that they make great book bags, work bags, and even carry-on bags while traveling. This rustic and vintage-style bag will quickly become your new favorite!
- Dr. Seuss-Inspired Book Bag
Any day is perfect to celebrate the whimsy of Dr. Seuss with this free bag pattern. This book bag tutorial is a great way to pay homage to perhaps one of the most beloved writers of all time.
- Angry Birds-Inspired Backpack
This free backpack pattern is the perfect way to look cool without breaking Mom and Dad's back to school budget. With this one-yard wonder, you can create a pop culture sewing project that's sure to be trending all over the playground.
DIY Pencil Cases
Stop pens, pencils, and other writing and coloring essentials from getting lost with these colorful and cheerful DIY pencil cases. These cases are super easy to make and your kids will love choosing fun printed fabrics to make these easy sewing projects for school.
- Thin DIY Pencil Case
This pencil case or pouch fits a few pens or some makeup, and it can handily attach to folders or handbags!
- Patchwork Pencil Case
Carry your school supplies in style! Follow this easy sewing pattern to create your own zippered pouch. It's a great scrapbuster project.
- Great White Pencil Case
Learn how to make a shark that your kid can bring to school with this back to school sewing project. This adorable how to make a shark idea shows you exactly how to make a pencil case that looks just like the predator of the deep blue sea.
- Zipper Pencil Pouch
If you have kids going back to school, you know that buying school supplies is a hassle. Finding the perfect personalized item is even worse! Cut out the middle man with this super cute, personalized pencil pouch.
- Sporty Pencil Case
The athlete in your family will love this pencil case with an appliqued soccer ball design. The tutorial provides you with templates and instructions for this homemade checkered masterpiece, so it should only take you an afternoon to make.
Want to find the perfect DIY backpack this school year? Then you'll love our recently updated list of free backpack patterns! 19+ Backpack Sewing Patterns
How to Make a Notebook Cover
Fun, personalized DIY notebook covers are great beginner sewing projects that kids will love making with Mom or Grandma. These DIY ideas are also perfect for college freshmen and are a wonderful way to set themselves apart on campus this fall.
- DIY Notebook Cover for Kids
This notebook cover project can be personalized with your child's favorite fabric. The elastic closure is a simple addition to keep it closed and hold loose papers inside.
- Button Embellished Notebook Cover
Use this easy sewing project to make an embellished notebook cover for your special Valentine. This project is great for Valentine's Day, or it can be altered for a nice back-to-school gift for your child.
- Notebook Cover Tutorial
This tutorial is for a cute little fabric notebook cover. Your planner or notebook will look so lovely with a little hand stitched jacket that can be customized any way you like!
- Swirly Binder Cover Sewing Pattern
Show off your free motion quilting skills with this quilted binder cover. It can even be adapted to make a notebook cover.
- Vinyl Notebook Cover
For a fun craft, sew together this handy project! You can creatively cover all your notebooks and make some as gifts, too. It's a cheap and easy way to dress up an ordinary notebook.
- Scrappy Love DIY Notebook Cover
Using up scraps of the cute and pink variety, this smart idea can be used to cover a new journal, planner, or even a favorite book. This is one of those homemade Valentine's Day gifts that can be used year-round.
Lunch Bag Patterns
Sewing your own lunch bag patterns is the best way to become more environmentally friendly with little effort! Your grandkids will be even happier with these lunch bag sewing patterns than with a storebought one because you can personalize them however you want. Pick their favorite superhero or princess fabric and help your little ones create the lunch box of their dreams!
- Mini Quilt Lunch Sack
Since you can turn a lovely mini quilt into anything, why not create something beautiful and useful? This pattern requires little fabric and time but delivers a lunch tote that's great for your midday meal on the go.
- Reusable Fabric Sandwich and Snack Bags
These are not only good for the environment, but they are also adorable and budget-friendly. Follow this tutorial to learn how to make reusable snack bags that will add smiles to lunchtime.
- Clear As Day Vinyl Lunch Bag
In all honesty, whether you make this DIY lunch tote for a grade-schooler or an adult, it's incredibly helpful. Not only can you save a boatload of cash by substituting disposable paper bags with this one, you can easily control messy spills thanks to the vinyl body of this bag.
- Mushroom or Owl Lunch Sack
The kids will love this adorable sewn craft. For a fun way to enjoy lunch, make them this whimsical lunch bag. It's a great way to go green and save all those plastic and brown paper bags.
- Colorful No Sew Lunch Bag
Store-bought lunch boxes are often too small, especially if you’re trying to fit reusable containers inside. This tutorial will show you how to make a lunch box without one stitch of thread. Made completely with duct tape, this lunch box is both sturdy and roomy.
- Lunch Bag
Design a personalised lunch bag for your child using recycled and upcycled materials!
- DIY Reusable Snack Bags
Make your own reusable snack sacks and do your part to reduce waste. We tend to end up using a lot of bags sending snacks with kids while they are at school and on the go.
- Butterfly Snackmat
Placemats are not just for the dinner table, and this lovely butterfly sewing idea shows you how to make little place mats you can use all around the house. Keep surfaces clean and cute when you use this for your snacks.
Tired of throwing away all of those brown paper sacks and plastic baggies? Check out this collection to become more environmentally friendly and start carrying your lunch in style!
Other Easy Back to School Projects
Back to school lists can look intimidating and expensive, but these easy sewing projects are the perfect way to be thrifty and stylish. From art smocks to locker organizers, these back to school projects are a fantastic way to save money and spend some quality time with your grandkids.
- Denim Organizer
Use the pant legs of old jeans for this cute recycling sewing project to keep your teen neat and organized. Whether you are stowing it inside a cabinet to store your makeup, hanging it over a dorm door to keep small things tucked away, or even using it for your stationery, this organizer will come in handy.
- Sniffle Monster Tissue Pack
This adorable, easy sewing project would be a great gift for a little one who is fighting a cold. They will have a best friend to fight their icky feelings with. This would be a great DIY sewing project for kids to keep in your car, as well.
- Locker Organizer
When you pop open your locker, the last thing you need to see is tons of unruly papers, pencils, and supplies. Instead, use this locker organizer to easily keep it all tidy. School locker door organizers will help you grab what you need before the bell rings.
- DIY Art Smock Pattern
This project is great for back to school or just for fun at home if you have little ones who love to paint or do art projects. It will keep them nice and clean and they will look cute while they work!
What projects do you like to make with your kids or grandkids? Be sure to leave a comment below!
Free projects, giveaways, exclusive partner offers, and more straight to your inbox!
Tags / Related Topics
Your Recently Viewed Projects
Images from other crafters

Project of the Day
Insanely Smart Toy Bag
The worst and best thing about little toys is that they do not take up a lot of space. Little knick knacks are great for your child's… Continue reading: "Insanely Smart Toy Bag"

Something worth saving?
- SAVE all your favorite patterns
- ADD personal notes
- QUICKLY reference your patterns
Our Newest Projects & Articles
- Diy Baby Blanket With Self Binding Border
- Mini Backbag
- Make A Baby Cheater Quilt
- Diy Book Cover In 10 Minutes
- Making Continuous Bias Binding Tape
- Knotted Hair Ties
- Diy Pom Pom Bunny
- Fab Floral Face Mask Tutorial
- Olive Blouse Review
- 6 Free Sewing Practice Sheets
Free eBooks
- 11 Free Vintage Patterns: How to Sew Retro-Inspired Clothing for Ladies
- 11 Sewing Room Ideas: How To Organize Your Room
- 15 Sewing Patterns for Women's Dresses & Other Pretty Project
- 25 Sewing Crafts from Bloggers
- 9 Insanely Awesome Sewing Ideas: How to Sew a Pillow, DIY Home Decor, and More
- Designer Inspired Sewing: 9 Beautiful Designer Inspired Knock Off Patterns
- Fabulous Fabric Flower Tutorials: 7 Ways to Learn How to Make Fabric Flowers
- Sewing for Baby: 11 Small Sewing Projects for Your Little One
- Sewing For Beginners
- Simple Sewing Projects: 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners