School is starting next week for my son and this year our first day of school is going to be so special – it will be his first day of Kindergarten! I was so excited to partner up with Michael’s for their First Day of School Blogger Challenge! I knew that he would be a little nervous to be starting at a new school and with a new teacher {he loved his preschool so much!} so I want to do what I can to make his first day special.
I spent some time browsing Pinterest and magazines for inspiration and came up with two great ideas for the first day of school. Best of all, I was able to pick up all of the supplies at Michael’s!
First Day of School Picture Frame
I’ve loved taking pictures of Hayden for his first and last day of preschool, so I knew that I wanted to continue the tradition as he enters into grade school. Since I just had my twin girls a few months ago, I wanted to make something sturdy that they would be able to use also for when they are old enough for school too.
The First Day of School Picture Frame will be the perfect addition to your child’s first day of school picture! It’s a framed chalkboard and on it you’ll be able to write the date, what grade they are going into and any other fun tidbits you don’t want to forget!
Supplies Needed
– 1 8×10 Picture Frame
– Tacky Glue Dots
– Black Chalkboard Paint
– Paintbrush
– Chalk
– Wooden “School-themed” Embellishments
I did some reading up on the best way to paint a piece of glass with chalkboard paint and it seems like there are a lot of different opinions. Some said to spray it with primer, some said to scrub it with sandpaper and then wash with alcohol and others said to just start painting! Well, since I’m a busy Mom and I like to get things done fast, I decided to just start painting and see how it goes!
I did read that while painting you’ll want to paint first vertically and then horizontally and that really seemed to be a good idea. It ended up looking really good! Once the paint dries {it dried in a few hours, but I gave it a good 24 hours before touching it again}, you’ll take a piece of chalk and rub it all over to “prime” it. Wash it and then you are good to go to start writing on it!
Michael’s had these cute “school-themed” wooden embellishments in their wood aisle and I thought they would be the perfect addition to our First Day of School Picture Frame! I used the Tacky Glue Dots that I bought to easily stick them to the outside of the frame!
This was by far one of the easiest crafts I have done and I love that it’s going to be a tradition going forward. I definitely plan on making more frames for our house.
I also decided to make something special for Hayden’s new teacher – it’s a Teachers Crate for School Supplies! Make sure to check that easy craft out too!
What kind of First Day of School Crafts have you made?
Disclosure: I was provided with a gift card. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? says
Super cute idea…and I love that it’s quick and easy.
Mel @ Outnumbered 3 to 1 says
That’s adorable – love it!
Jennifer Wagner says
I love this one. I’m not very crafty but this looks easy enough for me. And it is also so useful.
Shannon (The Mommy-Files) says
This is a great back-to-school craft and gift! Thanks for sharing.
Mariah says
Oh, I love that you put this together yourself! This is my kind of DIY!
Carrie with Children says
Ah, this is just so cute! I love it! Can’t believe he’s ready for Kindergarten!
Sarah L says
That looks super easy and very cute. It should last for the 18 years you’ll need it.
Nicole Robinson @TheBookWormMama says
Super cute. I love that it’s a reusable craft. You can even use it on their first day of college!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
What a cute idea I have two years until my son starts Kindergarten.
Elena says
Looks cute! I like this idea
Josie says
I love this idea! My oldest is starting Kindergarten in 2 days and I am so glad I found this great idea to keepsake the memories!
Kristi @HomesteadWishing says
I love this idea! It looks pretty easy, and who doesn’t love to shop at michaels? We homeschool now, but I love this idea to use in our homeschool. We use small chalk boards for games we play, these chalkboard frames would be so cute. I could even hang them on the wall with a cute saying while they are not being used! They would make a cute decoration in our education room.
Sara Zielinski says
This is a great back to school craft.
shelly peterson says
What a great idea, it’s really cute! It’s nice that its easy to do.
Janet W. says
What a cute idea and easy to make! This would be great for getting pictures of my grandsons going back to school!
DJ says
Super cute! I love the frame!
James Robert says
What a great pic! My nephew who is in Georgia goes back on 8/4, seems so early to me. Just a few days left for him. Mine don’t go back until after Labor Day here in Michigan.
Sara Zielinski says
This is a great craft idea.
Lisa says
I am so glad you posted this! Caleb starts preschool in a few weeks!
hannah says
Adorable and very creative! Great idea for a photo shoot!
Cheryl says
Great keepsake craft!
Sara Zielinski says
I love this craft idea!
Sara Zielinski says
I love this craft.
Laurie Nykaza says
I love props in taking photos we use them all the time now and this is so cute and you could use it for so many different pictures with different things written on it.
Nupur says
Lovely idea and super easy to do
Janet W. says
What a cute craft! First day of school pictures are so fun to look back at!
Katie Ellis says
This is a great idea! Parents will love this for the their children’s first day of school. My brother and sister in law can use this for my nephew when he starts school. I will share this idea with them. Thank you!
Olivia Barissa says
That’s adorable!!!! 🙂
Udani says
A nice DIY idea! Thanks for sharing.