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.

DIY Reading Club: How kids can start an after school book club or any club (run by kids for kids!)

Hello my Omschooligans! Today we're starting a group and I'm so excited! We call it the Omschool Tree Fort Reading Club and it works very much like the old after school clubs kids used to participate in, like Brownies or Cub Scouts. Only less formal. But just as much fun! Here's how to start an after school kids book club, by and for kids only! 

✨ Teacher Omi’s Childhood Club Memory ✨

"I remember a club I was in at age 7. We met in a lady's basement. We took turns bringing snacks. One girl named Faith always brought fudge. I loved that. We each had a simple craft box with crayons and scissors. We took turns being club officers, made crafts and learned how to set a table properly. I recall we put on a little play using toys in their basement. My part was to ride the Wonder Horse (in every basement back then) to alert villagers. Of what, I forget. Nothing fancy, don't even know if it was organized or just one mom's idea.  But I thought it was the best thing ever!"

— Omi

Omschool Tree Fort Reading Club

Not familiar with after school clubs? Maybe that's because they existed more in my memory and imagination and in books I read (The Three Investigators with their awesome headquarters!) And maybe that's because now, we parents and  grandparents get more involved than we really need to. We tell kids how to plan, organize and run it. And that robs it of the creativity, ingenuity and enjoyment. So my goal, in helping you kids start a book club (or any kids club) is to set the wheels in motion and let the you keep it running. 

Adult Supervision

Adults may help, encourage or provide resources, but kids clubs should be run by kids. They can be based on shared interests or just within neighborhood groups. Less is more with kids clubs, as in as much freedom and as little adult input as possible. Adult supervision is advised only to keep an eye on things so they run smoothly. Not to interfere. Even if there are disagreements, children need to be allowed to work them out as much as possible. Can you tell Teacher Omi always wanted to start a lot of clubs when she was young? 

Organizing the book club

• Discuss your idea with parents and get their permission. 
• Limit numbers but don't exclude. If you have 12 kids in your immediate neighborhood, then invite all 12. Or maybe you'll decide to invite friends from school. Don't let it get too big or it will be hard to manage. 8 is a good number. 
• Make invitations. You might want to get with your best friend to work on this. 
• Host an initial meeting to
• explain the format and 
• decide which books to read
• choose day, time and place to  meet

Group Tasks

• Write some basic rules. My grandkids wrote a motto and rules for their homeschool with things like
• Share. 
• Take turns. 
• Listen and don't interrupt. 
• Be kind. 
• Create a calendar. 
• Design a clubhouse, if you can. You can use your tree fort or play structure. Or a backyard tent. Check out the Encyclopedia Brown book series for a simple DIY clubhouse idea. OR
• Meet at different member's houses. If the clubhouse won't work, then take turns hosting meetings in backyards or basements. This divvies up responsibilities so one person doesn't' do it all. 
• Assign officers. Don't vote. It never goes well. Everyone gets a turn to fill each role. 
• Project leader: conducts meetings and keeps everyone on task in a not bossy way. 
• Materials manager: organizes supplies and keeps track of what is needed. 
• Record-keeper: takes meeting minutes and reads back what was decided. 
• Financial secretary. Collects dues and makes purchases of supplies. 
• Communication specialist: sends out memos of upcoming events. 
• Collect meeting dues. Keep the amount low, like $.50. This is what supplies are purchased with. Try as much as possible to use recycled materials to be earth-friendly. Ask families to donate supplies. Or you can skip this part and just use donated materials. 
• Each person should bring a craft box to meetings with
• markers or colored pencils
• scissors
• glue stick
• tape
• notebook
• colored paper
• Serve snacks. Each members brings one to share. If you're making a book-based snack craft, the one responsible brings supplies.
• Start with a brief agenda. Follow Robert's Rules of Order. Then spend the most time doing group activities (make a group snack or craft project) or discussing books. Here's the fudge recipe from the basement club, circa 1971.  

  🍫 Faith's Friendship Fudge 🍫

  "Named in sweet memory of basement club days and wonderful friends! Pair it with the book No Such Thing as a Witch by Ruth Chew"

  Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅛ tsp salt
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

  Instructions

  1. Prep: Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment or foil; grease lightly.
  2. Mix: Whisk sugar, cocoa, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Stir in milk and butter.
  3. Boil: Cook over medium heat, stirring until dissolved. Bring to a rolling boil, then stop stirring. Cook to the soft-ball stage (234°F).
  4. Cool: Remove from heat. Drop vanilla in the center without stirring. Let cool until warm to the touch (approx. 110°F).
  5. Beat & Pour: Vigorously beat until thick and matte-like. Fold in nuts if desired, pour into the pan, and let set completely!

  — From Teacher Omi’s Kitchen (remembering how much work this was to make, reminds me what a labor of love Faithful Faith's fudge treats were!
• End with a wrap-up, clean-up and projected plans for the next meeting. 
• Keep it simple. 
• Keep following this blog for book club suggestions. 

What to do if someone isn't acting in a way that respects all. 

• Let's hope that doesn't happen but if if does always, always try working it out in a positive manner. 
• Have a group meeting and discuss what's happening. Don't finger-point. The project leader should moderate and not get involved. 
• Try to find a mutually acceptable resolution. 
• Suggest a change of scenery or a break time. 
• Eat a snack! People aren't at their best when they are hungry. And Faith's fudge could sweeten any problem! 
• If it gets out of hand, ask an adult to step in. 

Next up: book report alternative ideas and reading response journal activities. 

 

Recycled homemade bird feeders, bird seed treats and free printable bird lesson plans

Hello my Omschooligans!  Do plastic milk jugs overflow your recycling bin? They certainly do here at the Omschool Tree fort! So how about we make some simple homemade crafts to repurpose and reuse recycled milk jugs? And value added, our furry and feathered friends will love your recycled milk jug craft projects. But first, here are free printable bird activities and coloring pages to enjoy! 

Free Printable Bird Coloring Pages

• Audubon for Kids: Offers various nature-themed activities, including DIY crafts and art projects like making migration-friendly window decorations.

• Columbia Audubon Society: Provides high-quality, printable bird illustrations, such as the Costa’s Hummingbird, created to combine science with creativity.

• Homemade Gifts Made Easy: Features a gallery of 56 free printable bird coloring pages, ranging from simple outlines for young children to realistic species drawings for older students and adults.

• ABCmouse: Offers a large collection of bird-themed printables, including "color by addition" and "color by sight" worksheets, as well as various bird species.

• Crayola: Provides a variety of free animal-themed coloring pages, including birds.

Bird Lesson Plans & Activities

• Audubon for Kids: An extensive resource for home educators, featuring activities like "What’s That Beak For?" (exploring beak adaptation) and interactive migration games.

• The Homeschool Daily: Provides a comprehensive "Bird Unit Study" that includes printable graphic organizers, emergent readers for early learners, and "Beak & Feet" matching cards to teach anatomy and function.

• BirdNote in the Classroom: Offers adaptable lesson plans for various grade levels, including activities like the "Bird Beak Buffet" (hands-on food exploration) and nature journaling prompts.

• Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance: Includes fun, interactive games such as "Bird BINGO" and "Owl Listening" activities to teach bird calls and sensory biology.

• Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: Offers specific lesson plans like "First Flight with Raptors," which introduces biology concepts through birds of prey. 

Homemade Recycled Milk Jug Bird Feeders

I. Project Overview

• Goal: Repurpose and reuse plastic milk jugs into functional bird feeders.

• Benefits:

  • Reduces waste in landfills.

  • Supports wildlife and the local ecosystem.

  • Great craft activity for Earth Day, National Bird Day, or general nature education.

II. Supplies Needed

• Clean, rinsed, and dried plastic milk jugs.

• Permanent markers, stickers, or fabric paint (for decoration).

• Sharp scissors like you use in the kitchen.

• Bird seed (generic bulk seed is inexpensive).

• Optional additives for "special treats": citrus rinds, apple peelings, fruit seeds, stale popcorn, bread, crackers, nuts, and peanut butter. 

  
  
  

• Bright red yarn or ribbon for hanging.

III. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Jug: Ensure the milk jug is thoroughly washed, rinsed, and dried.

2. Create the Window:

   • Draw a window on the side opposite the handle, approximately 2.5 inches from the bottom.

   • The window should measure about 4 inches on all sides.

   • Carefully cut out the window using scissors.

3. Add Drainage: Poke 5 small holes in the bottom of the jug to allow for drainage and air circulation to keep birdseed dry.

4. Decorate: Use permanent markers, stickers, or fabric paint to create nature patterns.

5. Fill: Add approximately 1.5 inches of bird seed to the bottom of the feeder.

6. Hang:

   • Use bright red yarn or ribbon to hang the feeder in trees or from poles (avoid utility wires).

   • Or, make a clean cut through the handle near the base so it can you can "hook" it over a tree branch.

   • Alternatively, place on a porch rail and secure with a nail through the bottom.

IV. Target Audience & Groups

• School groups, libraries, day cares, and scout troops.

• Homeschool

• Vacation Bible School, summer camps, and nature centers.

• Elderly groups (easy to construct and requires minimal space).

Beach Day craft projects, beach-themed snack crafts, books and printable beach dioramas

Hello my Omschooligans! Teacher Omi here with a beach day unit of lesson plans for summer fun (and learning!) in the sun. And you know me--I'm all about recycling, repurposing and reusing. Today's beach craft activities feature craft projects from your recycle bin. Make DIY beach toys, sand castle molds and gardening tools from recycled plastic  milk jugs. Next, enjoy a menu of beach themed snack crafts you can make yourself. You'll love the Teddy Graham sunbather! Enjoy these with some beach themed books. Then use free printable beach dioramas and coloring pages to make a shoebox habitat diorama! Use these for homeschool, vacation Bible school craft projects, summer school, camp, scout troop, 4H group and day care kids crafts. 

DIY Beach & Garden Tools from Recycled Milk Jugs

Supplies Needed

• 2 clean plastic milk jugs per child

• Permanent marker

• Sturdy scissors (child-safe Fiskars scissors work well)

---

Instructions

1. Gardening Buckets, Plant Starters, or Sand Pails

• Draw a line around the base of the milk jug, approximately 3 inches from the bottom.

• Carefully poke a hole on this line with your scissors.

• Cut along the line all the way around to remove the top half of the jug.

• Use the base as a sand pail, gardening bucket, or plant starter.

2. Sand Toy Strainers or Sifters

• Follow the same steps as above to create the bucket base.

• Additionally, poke several small holes in the bottom of the jug to create a sifter or strainer for beach play.

  
  
  

3. Funnels or Sand Castle Molds

• Take the remaining top portion of the milk jug.

• Draw a circle around the top of the jug, about 2 inches down from the mouth.

• Poke a hole on the line and cut around the circle in a  toothed pattern to create your funnel or sandcastle mold.

  
  
  

4. Trowels and Garden Rakes

• Use the remaining piece of the jug containing the handle.

• Trace along the indentation where the handle attaches to the jug.

• Cut along this line to separate the handle piece from the rest of the jug.

• For a Trowel: Trim the top part (above the upper end of the handle) into a v-shaped point.

• For a Garden Rake: Cut a zigzag edge into the bottom of the trowel piece.

5. Handled Shovels

• Draw a circle around the base of the handle where it attaches to the jug, leaving about an inch of space.

• Cut along the circle and remove the top end of the jug.

• You now have a sturdy, handled shovel perfect for the beach or garden. 

  
  
  

More sand castle molds from the recycle bin

• When you purchase a new appliance or gadget, save those pre-formed cardboard or plastic pieces that hold the item secure in the box. These make awesome sand castle molds and best of all, you can toss them if they wet. Or you can recycle them if they are still solid. 
• Use recycled cottage cheese or butter tubs as sand castle molds. Cut them any way you wish! 
• Repurpose egg cartons as to make designs in the sand. We used them for fences, caterpillars and merlons (those square block thingys along the edge of a castle parapet). The possibilities are limited only by your imagination, which Teacher Omi knows is limitless! 
  
  
  

From Teacher Omi's story corner

Round out your beach day adventures with a snuggle and a snack in the Omschool Tree Fort! Here's a list of beach themed books and stories. Keep reading for recipes to make beachy snack crafts to nibble on! 

Sand Play & Building

• A Day for Sandcastles by JonArno Lawson

• The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor – A modern, summery spin on "The House That Jack Built" featuring a giant sandcastle.

• The Sand Castle Contest by Robert Munsch – A fun story about a competition where a sandcastle is built so well it looks like a real house.

• Watch Me Build a Sandcastle by Jack Otten.

Beach Exploration & Adventures

• Beach by Elisha Cooper – Captures the simple magic of a day at the beach and building memories.

• Hello, Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan – A beautiful, sensory-rich celebration of a day spent at the shore.

• Come Again, Pelican by Don Freeman – A gentle, beautifully illustrated story about the friendship between a boy and a pelican, capturing the quiet, magical moments of a beach day. (one of Teacher Omi's and Uncle Jakey's favoritest stories ever!) 

• Bluey: The Beach – Join Bluey for a fun-filled day of discovery and shell collecting.

• Llama Llama Sand and Sun by Anna Dewdney – An interactive, touch-and-feel book featuring sandcastles and splashing in the waves.

• Wave by Suzy Lee – A stunning, wordless picture book about a little girl’s first time at the beach and her interaction with the tide.

• At the Beach by Anne F. Rockwell – Highlights classic activities like sandcastle building and seashell collecting.

Sensory & Nature Guides

• Beach Feet by Kiyomi Konagaya – A unique, sensory-focused look at how a child experiences the sand and shore with their feet.

• Sandy Feet! Whose Feet? by Susan Wood – An informative book about identifying animal footprints in the sand.

• Backpack Explorer: Beach Walk by Editors of Storey Publishing – A hands-on field guide for little beachcombers to identify shells, rocks, and shorebirds.

• This Beach is Loud! by Samantha Cotterill – A great story for children who might feel overwhelmed by the sensory experience of a busy beach day.