Paper Crafts & Stationery · School Edition
7 Adorable DIY School Crafts — Mini Organizer, Glitter Bookmark, Squishy Desk Toy & More
Crafts Covered7 projects
Estimated CostUnder $5 each
Time Per Craft10 – 30 min
Skill Level★☆☆☆☆ Beginner
Overview
This collection of seven school-themed crafts covers everything a student might want to personalize their desk or bag — a folded accordion organizer, a cardboard mini locker, a glitter-filled squishy bookmark, a hydrogel bead stress toy, a photo pocket for notebooks, a "chip bag" filled with sweet notes, and a flower-shaped hidden compartment. All builds use everyday materials: paper, cardboard, tape, small bags, and decorative accessories.
The video is framed around two characters competing at school, making the crafts feel aspirational and playful. Each project is practical as well as pretty — the organizer keeps a messy desk tidy, the bookmark doubles as a stress reliever, and the photo pocket keeps personal mementos safe inside a notebook.
Accordion Organizer
Folded paper strips + colored cover — a portable multi-pocket folder
Mini Cardboard Locker
Cardboard box with dividers, handle, and elastic closure
Glitter Squishy Bookmark
Zip bag filled with glitter + liquid soap, heart cutout, fluffy charm
Hydrogel Bead Squishy
Folded tape pouch filled with colorful hydrogel beads — draw a chill face
Notebook Photo Pocket
Folded sheet + decorative tape — a hidden pocket inside any notebook
Sweet Notes "Chip Bag"
Heart-shaped Lay's lookalike bag stuffed with crumpled sweet messages
Flower Cheat Sheet
Stacked sponge-paper donuts hiding a paper circle — decorative and sneaky
Materials List
Most items come from a craft store, dollar store, or your recycling bin. Stock up on washi tape and decorative paper — they appear in almost every project.
Colored paper & cardstock (various)
Corrugated cardboard (for locker)
Washi tape / decorative tape
Scissors & craft knife
Hot glue gun + glue sticks
Small zip-lock bags (bookmark)
Fine glitter + liquid soap (bookmark)
Hydrogel water beads
Fluffy charm / keychain pendant
Elastic band (locker closure)
Sponge foam paper (flower craft)
Rhinestone gems & stickers
Markers & fine-tip pens
Ruler & bone folder (optional)
Reference Video
Source: youtube.com/watch?v=bMTYzmvLsbs · For educational reference only
Build Guide
A classic accordion-fold organizer upgraded with a decorative cover and tab dividers. It folds flat for storage and fans out to reveal multiple pockets — great for cards, notes, receipts, or subject dividers.
Step-by-step
- 1Cut several strips of paper the same width. Fold each strip accordion-style (alternating valley and mountain folds) so that each fold becomes a pocket.
- 2Attach strips end-to-end by gluing the last panel of one strip to the first panel of the next, increasing the total number of pockets.
- 3Cut small tabs from a contrasting color and glue one to the top edge of every other fold — these serve as dividers and labels.
- 4Cut a cover strip from a brighter or patterned sheet, slightly wider than the accordion body. Fold it around the outside to create a front and back cover.
- 5Decorate the cover with washi tape strips, stickers, or drawn patterns. Place loose pages or cards inside each pocket section.
Tip
Score fold lines with a bone folder or the back of a butter knife before folding — this gives you crisp, clean accordion creases that hold their shape much better than unscored paper.
A compact cardboard organizer designed to clip onto the edge of a desk. It features internal dividers so every item — pens, rulers, sticky notes — has its own compartment. An elastic band keeps the front flap shut when not in use.
Step-by-step
- 1Cut a main body rectangle from corrugated cardboard and score fold lines to create the four walls and a base. Hot-glue the edges together to form an open-top box.
- 2Cut two or three smaller cardboard strips as internal dividers. Slot or glue them into the box to create separate compartments.
- 3Cut a slightly taller front flap that covers the opening. Attach it along the bottom edge as a hinged door using a strip of tape or a thin score-fold.
- 4Fold and glue a small loop handle on top of the box — a folded strip of cardboard works perfectly.
- 5Glue an elastic band across the front flap and around the back of the box so it snaps shut securely. Decorate with washi tape, stickers, or drawn patterns.
Tip
Cover the outside of the locker with a single sheet of decorative paper before gluing on embellishments — it creates a much cleaner finished look than applying tape strips to raw cardboard.
This bookmark is also a stress toy. The glitter suspended in liquid soap creates a slow, satisfying swirl every time you squeeze it — and the fluffy charm string makes it easy to find in a bag.
Step-by-step
- 1Take a small zip-lock bag and pour in a generous amount of fine glitter — use one color or mix several for a galaxy effect.
- 2Squeeze in a small amount of clear liquid soap. You do not need to fill the bag — the less liquid, the slower and more satisfying the swirl. Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
- 3Cut a heart (or any shape) from a sheet of colored paper slightly larger than the bag. Cut a matching back piece. Place the sealed bag between the two paper shapes.
- 4Make a small hole through all layers at the top with a hole punch. Thread a fluffy charm on a loop of string through the hole and tie it off.
- 5Seal the paper layers around the bag edges with washi tape or glue. Decorate the front and use as a bookmark by slipping it over a page corner.
Tip
Hair gel works even better than liquid soap — it is thicker, so the glitter moves more slowly and the squishy feeling is more pronounced. Use clear gel to keep the glitter colors bright.
Hydrogel water beads are satisfying to squish on their own — seal them inside a clear tape pouch and draw a little face on the front, and you have a desk companion that also doubles as a distraction tool during tense moments.
Step-by-step
- 1Soak hydrogel water beads in water overnight until fully expanded. They grow from tiny seeds to approximately 1 cm orbs.
- 2Tear off a strip of wide clear tape and fold it loosely in half lengthwise to create a pouch shape. Seal one short end by folding the tape over and pressing firmly.
- 3Fill the open end with colorful hydrogel beads — use a single color or mix several. Do not overfill: the pouch should feel slightly pillowy, not taut.
- 4Seal the remaining open end with another fold of tape. Smooth out any air pockets by pressing gently.
- 5Use a fine-tip marker to draw a little calm or happy face on the front. Make multiple squishies in different colors and keep them on your desk.
Tip
Double-seal all edges with a second layer of tape — hydrogel beads carry a surprising amount of residual moisture and a single layer of tape can develop small leaks over time.
A simple folded insert that transforms the inside cover of any notebook into a private photo wallet. Slide in polaroids, printed photos, notes, or stickers — they stay hidden and secure inside the book.
Step-by-step
- 1Fold a sheet of paper in half, then fold one half again to create a smaller panel that acts as the pocket front.
- 2Use decorative tape to seal the two side edges and the bottom edge of the folded pocket, leaving the top open for inserting photos.
- 3Decorate the front face with heart stamps, stickers, or washi tape borders to personalize it.
- 4Apply a strip of double-sided tape or a thin line of glue along the back panel and press it firmly onto the inside cover of your notebook.
- 5Slide photos or folded notes into the pocket from the top. The pocket holds them flat and prevents them from falling out when the notebook is opened.
A heart-shaped bag designed to look like a mini snack bag — but when "opened," it is filled with tiny crumpled notes of sweet messages. A discreet way to pass encouraging words to a friend in class.
Step-by-step
- 1Cut a heart shape from a sheet of yellow or red cardstock. On the front, draw or print a Lay's-style snack label — add a logo, flavor text, and a barcode for extra realism.
- 2Flip the heart over and attach a rectangle of clear film (from a plastic bag or cling wrap) across the middle — this creates the "window" that gives the bag a crinkly snack-bag feel.
- 3Bring the two side edges of the heart together and fold them toward the center, forming a shallow cone-shaped bag. Secure with tape along the seam.
- 4Cut several small rectangles of paper. Write a sweet or encouraging message on each one, then crumple them lightly to look like "chips."
- 5Stuff the crumpled notes into the bag from the open top and fold the top edge over to close. Pass it to a friend — they will think it is a snack until they start pulling out the notes.
A layered foam flower that conceals a small paper circle in the center. In the video it is framed as a cheat sheet holder — practically speaking, it makes a charming desk decoration or hair accessory that has a hidden compartment for tiny notes or labels.
Step-by-step
- 1Cut several donut shapes (rings) from sponge foam paper in two or three petal colors. The rings should graduate in size — largest at the bottom, smallest at the top.
- 2Cut matching-sized circles from plain white paper. These are the hidden note surfaces — write text on them before assembly.
- 3Stack the foam rings largest-to-smallest, placing a paper circle between each layer so it is sandwiched out of sight.
- 4Glue the layers together lightly around the outer edge only — this allows the petals to fan slightly and gives the flower a 3D look.
- 5Finish with a small foam or rhinestone center circle glued on top. The flower can sit flat on a desk, be pinned to a bag, or attached to a hair clip.
Tip
Use a circle punch or a round cookie cutter as a template to cut perfectly consistent donuts and circles — freehanded foam rings tend to come out lumpy, which makes the layers look uneven when stacked.
Which craft are you making first? Share a photo or your tips below.