Summer is ending and the kids are heading back to school. And for most that means packing up their back packs, making their lunches, and preparing for the first few days of a new routine.
Sometimes the beginning of a school year can be a bit stressful, and because our last Free Printable was so popular, we’re at it again! We’ve designed these Back to School DIY Notecards, perfect for slipping on desks or in lunchboxes to share a smile with your child throughout the day. We know you’ll be Back -to-Busy too, so we made sure this DIY project really IS as easy as one, two, three!
We haven’t forgotten your big kids either! We may not always show it, but us “big kids” (college kids too!) secretly love encouraging words from parents. No matter the age, a little note goes a long way, which is why we’ve included four templates: for your little girls and boys, and for your big girls and boys too!
Back to School DIY Notecards
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- Printed template pages, found here:
1. For little daughters // 2. For little sons // 3. For big daughters // 4. For big sons - Scissors OR X-Acto blade / metal cork-backed ruler / & cutting mat
STEP ONE // PRINTING
Download one of our four templates listed above and open it up in Adobe Reader (if you don’t have Reader, you can download it here.) Once open, print the document on a heavyweight card stock of your choice. If you are unfamiliar with how to print a two-sided document, Adobe has created a useful guide for double-sided printing. Even if your printer only supports one-sided printing, you can still manually print two sides by printing and then reloading the paper upside down. Print as many sheets as you want. One sheet will make four cards.
STEP TWO // CUTTING
Using either scissors or an X-Acto knife or other craft knife, cut along all the dotted lines that are on the back side of the notecards. An X-Acto knife will give a more precise cut, however, if you decide to use an X-Acto please be sure to follow our safety tips below.
X-Acto Safety Tips:
- Always cut on a self healing cutting mat to protect your work surface. These can be purchased at craft stores like Joann’s or Michaels, or any other art supply store.
- Always use a metal ruler with a cork or foam backing. The ruler helps you achieve a straight cut and the cork backing prevents the ruler from slipping. Line up the ruler along the dotted line, and follow the edge of the ruler with your blade. Make sure your fingertips are not hanging over the edge of the ruler!
- Make sure the X-Acto blade is fresh and sharp. Dull blades can slip or “jump” while cutting, which could cause injury. Plus, sharp blades give a cleaner cut!
- Do not force the blade to cut through the paper entirely on the first pass. Some thicker card stocks may require you to cut two or three times along the same line.
STEP THREE // WRITE A NOTE!
It’s really that easy! Just deliver the note to deliver a smile!
Did you give it a try?
We’d love to see your pics of your Back to School DIY notecards! Instagram or Tweet us at @cherishpaperie and share the smiles with us as well!
Seriously cute ideas!! Love!!
Oh my goodness – these are so cute! I want to print some out for my kiddos first day of school tomorrow. Thanks for the great idea!
I hope you do! And they are pretty easy to make! We’d love to see pics if you make some! Instagram/Tweet us @cherishpaperie to share the love!
Those are so adorable, thanks for the printable, I could use these!!
These are so pretty! I just love tucking notes in backpacks for my kids to find later. So sweet!
Thank you! Instagram/Tweet us @cherishpaperie if you give it a try! We really love kids around here and were excited to release a DIY freebie that shares encouragement and smiles with kids. They appreciate it more than they let on, I think!
Very cool
Thank you!
I love the encouraging notes for school!
I must try that!
Mitch
Great, we hope you do get to try them! I bet your kids would really appreciate a note from Dad! Instagram/Tweet us a pic @cherishpaperie if you try the tutorial!
I love this and appreciate the X-Acto Safety Tips. I recently picked up a self healing cutting map and it has come in very handy for many projects.
The X-Acto safety tips are really important! I’ve personally had a few too many injuries myself! But you can’t beat that nice, precise cut a fresh X-Acto will give you!
So cute. Love this. My girl is in school now, all day long. I’d love to put something like this in her lunch bag or her back pack.
Thank you! We hope you give it a try! Few things are more special to a child that encouragement and support from their parents!
So Cute!
I had never before seen cards like these, I really liked the idea. Stimulates creativity!
Hugs
Thank you! We’re really trying to come up with fun, creative new ways to use stationery in everyday life. I’m glad you like them! Instagram/Tweet us @cherishpaperie if you give the tutorial a try!
Those are really great ideas.
These are so great. I love back to school printables! Thank you for sharing.