Back-to-School Party with snack crafts, craft projects, games, homemade school supplies and printables

Hello my Omschooligans! Teacher Omi is back with more fun activities and lesson plans from the Omschool Tree Fort! Since we're heading back to school soon I thought I'd throw us a back-to-school party with games, snack crafts, craft projects and of course, children's literature connections! These free printable lesson plans are available for non-profit and homeschool use and may be shared with proper attribution. 

Back-to-School themed snack crafts

You know that we in the Omschool Tree Fort love multipurpose educational activities that address several learning objectives (and are fun, must have fun!). So we make edible crafts that are fun to make and eat! They also help us develop food prep, fine motor, kitchen science and following directions skills! Today's craft treats feature school supplies themes. 

Pretzel Pencils: Use the picture above to create these pencil snack crafts! You'll need

• pretzel rods 
• cream cheese, almond or peanut butter or spray cheese (in the can)
• color a bit of cream cheese brown with dark cocoa powder for pencil tips
• or use dark chocolate frosting (see healthier frosting recipe below)
• or use black decorator icing
• pink marshmallows or pieces of watermelon (for the eraser)
• carrot tips (you can "sharpen" these in a vegetable spiralizer.
• cheese slices (optional) 
• plastic knives 

Directions: Set out supplies assembly line style or give each student a plate with all she'll need to make one pencil. Attach marshmallow eraser and carrot tip with nut butter, cream cheese or spray cheese. Cut a 1-inch strip of cheese slice and wrap around pretzel to resemble gold band. Save the rest of the cheese for your next snack craft! You can also use a cheese chunk as shown or use the spray cheese. (Thank you grandson Milo for reminding Omi of this versatile snack food!) Dip tip in black icing or colored cream cheese. 

Book Sandwiches

What better snack to enjoy in the reading corner than a book sandwich? They're so easy to create, too! 

1. Make your favorite kind of sandwich using square or rectangular bread (like Pepperidge Farm): tuna or egg salad, PBJ, cheese and pickle, you choose! 
2. "Frost" the top of your sandwich with any color cream cheese (see tips below for natural coloring dyes) or homemade frosting (for sweet sandwiches). Keep reading for a healthier low sugar frosting recipe. 
3. Frost with yogurt if you prefer. 
4. Place some cream cheese or frosting in a decorator bag and write your book title across the top. Or use Milo's spray cheese idea. Use a known book title or create your own! 
5. You can also use letter pretzels or cereal for shorter titles. 
6. Tuck a strip from your cheese slice in as a bookmark. Or use a Fruit Roll-up. 
7. Decorate cover with fruit or veggie pieces cut like hearts, stars, etc. 
   
   
   
   

Fruit and Veggie Markers and Crayons

What could be better than coloring with crayons? Coloring with edible crayon that's what! Use different sized vegetable corers to create a rainbow of markers you can eat, using fruits and vegetables. Cut tube shapes from pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. Cut and de-string celery into skinny sticks. Use skinny mini cucumbers, rainbow carrots and carrot sticks just as they are. Cut pepper strips to resemble crayons. Serve in pencil cases which can be reused for real markers and crayons, later. Children will enjoy cutting the fruit and vegetables. 

Alphabet snack crafts

• Edib-letters: Reading is so much more fun with edible ABCs! Look for ABC cookies, pretzels and snack crackers at Walmart, Aldi (Benton's), Target, Trader Joe's and Meijer. Check Amazon for letter themed Haribo fruit snacks, Cheez-Its and Earth's Best Organic Sesame Street letter cookies. 

• Alphabet Mak-sheesh: That's what my granddaughter called mac and cheese. So for back-to-school, we'll cook up some letter pasta and make yummy macaroni and cheese. Here's Omi's recipe. 
• Cook one box letter pasta till al dente (tender but not falling apart). While it's cooking...
• Make cheese roux:
• melt one stick salted butter over low heat
• add 8 oz cream cheese cubes or blended cottage cheese and melt
• add 1-2 c. sharp cheddar and melt
• season with garlic, black pepper and celery salt
• slowly add milk you've allowed to warm to room temp (use as much as it takes to get roux to thick, creamy consistency.
• Drain pasta and pour roux over pasta. 
• Gently stir and add a little grated parmesan cheese. 

• Alpha-Veggie Soup: A classic favorite, kids will love prepping this! 
• Cut carrots, red onions, celery and yellow peppers into bite-sized pieces. 
• Shred purple cabbage to make one cup. 
• Sauté in butter with poultry seasoning or umami seasoning. 
• Add chicken broth (without MSG) to make about six cups. 
• Cook pasta in this mixture, slowly. 
• Snip cilantro, parsley and basil and top soup with these. 

• Alphabet pasta salad: 
• Cook pasta, drain and rinse. 
• Add chunk imitation crab meat or canned chicken or tuna.
• Halve grape tomatoes. 
• Cut yellow and orange bell peppers into pieces. 
• Blend with mayonnaise and Dijon mustard to taste. 
• Season with black pepper and dill weed. 

  🌈 Rainbow Edible Playdough

  Safe, taste-tested fun naturally colored with kitchen ingredients!

  Base Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option)
  • ½ cup honey or agave syrup
  • 2 cups powdered milk (or oat flour/ground rolled oats)

  Natural Color Tinting Options

  • Red / Pink: 1–2 tsp beet root powder or concentrated berry juice
  • Orange: 1 tsp carrot powder or carrot juice reduction
  • Yellow: ½ tsp ground turmeric
  • Green: 1 tsp spirulina powder or matcha powder
  • Brown: 1 tbsp unsweetened dark cocoa powder

  Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the butter/nut butter and honey together until smooth.
  2. Gradually add the powdered milk or oat flour, kneading with clean hands until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. If too sticky, add a bit more powdered milk; if too dry, add a drop of honey.
  3. Divide the dough into smaller balls for coloring.
  4. Knead your chosen natural color ingredient into each dough ball until the shade is evenly distributed.
  5. Shape, play, and snack! Store unused dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

• 3 tbsp raw honey (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• Pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

1. Beat the Base: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed until completely smooth and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

2. Blend Sweetener & Flavor: Add the honey, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt. Beat on medium speed for another 1–2 minutes until fully incorporated and creamy.

3. Chill & Set: For best piping or spreading consistency, cover and chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes before using.

Tips & Variations

• Flavor Boost: Add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon or lemon zest for extra warm or bright flavor notes.

• Frosting coloring tips: "Dye" frosting with beet or berry juice, spirulina or spinach powder, dark cocoa powder             

• Storage: Store frosted baked goods or leftover frosting in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Back-to-School Games

Back-to-School Classroom & Home Scavenger Hunt with riddles

Have kids explore their new classroom for these items. 

• Something to write with: A brand-new or favorite pencil, pen, or marker.

• Something with numbers: A ruler, calculator, tape measure, or clock.

• Something to erase mistakes: A pink eraser, white-out, or an eraser cap.

• A cozy reading spot: A comfortable chair, reading nook, or pillow corner.

• Something that holds supplies: A pencil case, desk organizer, or backpack.

• Something colorful: A box of crayons, a set of colored pencils, or paintbrushes.

• A book with a child on the cover: Or a book that makes you smile when you read it!

• Something used to stick things together: A glue stick, bottle of liquid glue, or roll of tape.

• Something to keep papers tidy: A folder, binder, paperclip, or stapler.

• A tool for cutting: A pair of safety scissors.

Nature & Backyard Trail Treasure Hunt (with riddles) Instruct students to look around the playground, backyard or woods for:

• Something smooth: A water-worn river rock or a polished pebble.

• Something rough: A piece of tree bark or a coarse stone.

• A sign of wildlife: A feather, a bird track, or an empty acorn cap left by a squirrel.

• Three different shapes of leaves: One wide leaf, one skinny/needle leaf, and one lobed leaf.

• Something fuzzy: Soft moss growing on a log or a fuzzy stem.

• Something that smells pleasant: Pine needles, crushed mint, or wildflower petals.

• A natural builder's mark: A spider web, a small bird's nest visible in a tree, or an anthill.

• Something fallen: A pinecone, dry twig, or acorn dropped from a tree.

• A patch of soil or sand: Look for different textures or colors in the ground.

• Something brightly colored: A yellow flower, red berry, or vibrant green fern.

Back-to-School Craft Projects 

Save money on back to school supplies by making your own! As always, Omschool craft projects focus on recycled materials as much as possible. 

Homemade Non-Toxic Watercolors

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp baking soda

• 2 tbsp white vinegar

• ½ tsp light corn syrup

• 2 tbsp cornstarch

• Natural food colorings or dyes (such as beet juice, turmeric, spirulina, or dark cocoa powder)

Instructions

1. Mix the Base: In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the baking soda and white vinegar. Let it fizz completely until calm.

2. Add Binding & Thickness: Stir in the light corn syrup and cornstarch. Mix well until smooth and uniform.

3. Divide into Wells: Pour the liquid base evenly into the wells of an empty egg carton, an ice cube tray, or small paint pots.

4. Tint Your Paints: Add a few drops of natural liquid dye or a pinch of powdered natural coloring to each well. Stir thoroughly with a toothpick or small stick to blend each shade.

5. Let Dry: Allow the paints to sit uncovered at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours until completely dry and hardened.

6. Use: Dip a wet paintbrush into a dried paint well to activate the color, just like store-bought watercolors!

   
   
   

Recycle bin paintbrushes

Create DIY paintbrushes from your recycle bin, using straws, old pencils or old paintbrushes. Cut small fabric strips or use pieces of yarn or thread. Tie pieces into bunch and tape to "barrel" (straw or pencil) with heavy duct tape. 

Easy Non-Toxic School Glue

Ingredients

• ½ cup skim milk or non-fat powdered milk (reconstituted)

• 1 tbsp white vinegar

• ½ tbsp baking soda

• 1–2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Curdle the Milk: In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, warm the skim milk until hot (do not boil). Stir in the white vinegar and let it sit for 2–3 minutes. The milk will separate into solid white curds and liquid whey.

2. Strain: Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over the sink to drain off all the liquid whey. Gently press the curds to remove excess moisture.

3. Mix the Glue: Transfer the warm curds to a small bowl. Add the baking soda and 1 tablespoon of warm water.

4. Stir & Adjust: Whisk or stir vigorously until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and holds together like liquid school glue. If it feels too thick, stir in a few extra drops of water until you reach your desired consistency.

5. Use & Store: Allow it to cool completely before using. Store unused glue in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

DIY Old School Glue

Homemade playdough

🎨 Easy No-Cook Homemade Playdough

Super soft, long-lasting, and ready in 5 minutes!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup table salt
• 2 tbsp cream of tartar
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil (or baby oil for extra soft texture)
• 1 to 1½ cups boiling water
• Natural colorings or food dyes (optional)
• Few drops essential oil or vanilla extract (optional, for scent)

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
2. Combine Liquids: Add the vegetable oil to 1 cup of boiling water. If you are tinting the whole batch one color, add your dye and scent directly to the liquid.
3. Stir Together: Pour the hot water mixture into the dry ingredients and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough begins to form. Add remaining boiling water a tablespoon at a time if it feels too dry.
4. Knead Until Smooth: Allow the dough to cool for 3–5 minutes until safe to handle. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead vigorously for 1–2 minutes until smooth and soft.
5. Color (Optional): If making multiple colors, divide dough into portions, flatten slightly, add a few drops of natural color or juice to each portion, and knead until combined.
6. Store: Keep in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature. It will stay soft and usable for up to 6 months!

Back to school book list for the Omschool reading corner

Early Elementary (Grades K–1)

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn (Illustrated by Ruth E. Harper & Nancy M. Leak)

  • Theme: Overcoming separation anxiety and finding comfort in a parent's love.

• The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes (Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton)

  • Theme: Building confidence, joy, and independence for the first day of school.

• Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes

  • Theme: Self-acceptance, celebrating unique names, and learning kindness in the classroom.

• Mr. S by Monica Arnaldo

  • Theme: A funny mystery where a class believes a sandwich on the desk might be their teacher.

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Mid-Elementary (Grades 2–3)

• First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg (Illustrated by Judy Love)

  • Theme: Managing back-to-school nerves (with a surprise twist ending about who is nervous!).

• The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson (Illustrated by Rafael López)

  • Theme: Finding the courage to share your story when you feel different or out of place.

• School's First Day of School by Adam Rex (Illustrated by Christian Robinson)

  • Theme: Perspective-taking and empathy, told from the viewpoint of a newly built school building.

• A Letter from Your Teacher on the First Day of School by Shannon Olsen (Illustrated by Sandie Sonke)

  • Theme: Building trust, classroom community, and welcoming students into a safe space.

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Upper Elementary (Grade 4)

• If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen

  • Theme: Creative writing inspiration, imagination, and designing ideal learning spaces.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

  • Theme: Cultural identity, belonging, and the importance of valuing personal heritage.

• Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks

  • Theme: Navigating middle-grade friendships, overcoming assumptions, and mutual support.

• Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

  • Theme: Humor, absurd storytelling, and building a love for chapter books.