Homemade School Supplies

Go back to school the smart way with our clever collection of frugal ideas using common household items.

Advertisement
 
Image

Nifty Tips for Parents

Dreading the end-of-summer shopping sprees that signal school's back in session? Relax -- our cheat sheet's ready to help everyone make the grade this year!

Don't lose it -- label it!
You don't need to buy labels or a fancy machine that makes them. Use inexpensive masking tape instead to conveniently mark kids' schoolbooks and supplies.
See more uses for Masking Tape.


Instant index cards
It's inevitable -- at the eleventh hour your child will say, "I need index cards for school tomorrow." If you don't have any, use paper plates and a ruler. Measure out a 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 (A7 or A6) card on the plate and cut. Use the first card as a template for the rest.
See more uses for Paper Plates.


Safeguard supplies
It's one of the universal truths of parenthood: Kids' pencil cases, folders, markers, and other school supplies are forever disappearing. You may be able to lessen the losses, however, by affixing address labels with a piece of transparent tape to the contents of your child's desk and backpack.
See more uses for Return Address Labels.


Keep supplies organized
Do the kids have trouble keeping track of their school pencils, pens, and rulers? Puncture three holes along the bottom edge of a sealable freezer bag so it will fit in a three-ring binder. Now the young scholars can zip their supplies in and out of the bag.
See more uses for Plastic Bags.


Make an artist's palette
Tear off a length of heavy-duty aluminum foil, crimp up the edges, and you've got a ready-to-use palette for mixing paints. If you want to get a little fancier, cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a palette, complete with thumb hole, and cover it with foil. Or if you already have a wooden palette, cover it with foil before each use and then just strip off the foil instead of cleaning the palette.
See more uses for Aluminum Foil.


Organize kids' sporting goods
Keep a decorated empty wine or liquor carton with partitions, and with the top cut off, in your child's room and use it for easy storage of tennis rackets, baseball bats, fishing poles, and such.
See more uses for Cardboard Boxes.


Must Read Should Everyone Read This? Yes! I vote for this story

Your Comments

See all

...

You will be asked to sign in or register to post a comment

Characters Remaining

Advertisement
 
Related Topics
Related Links
Daily Tip

“ Stuck inside? Walk on your treadmill or, if you don't have one, do arm circles or march in place during TV commercials. ”

Bonus Tip

“ Cleaning a glass thermometer with hot or even just warm water can cause an inaccurate reading. It's always best to use cool water. ”


Advertisement

I was trying to decide what to do for a talent show I planned to enter. Trusting my mother to help me out, I asked, "For the show, what do you think I should do, sing or put on a comedy act?" Glancing up from her paper, she said dryly, "What's the difference?"

-- Kimmie Helk

Tips for a Clean Oven

Secrets to get it shining.