Back to School Paper Plate Wreath Craft

Looking for a fun and easy back-to-school craft to celebrate the start of a new school year? This adorable paper plate wreath craft is the perfect way to get kids excited for their first day of school. 

Featuring colorful crayons, a bright red apple, and a mini chalkboard sign, this cheerful wreath makes a fantastic decoration for classrooms, homeschool spaces, or even as a prop for first day of school photos.

We love crafts that help mark special milestones, and the first day of school is definitely one worth celebrating. Kids will have fun painting, cutting, and assembling their wreath, and the finished project looks so cute displayed on a door, wall, or bulletin board. Even better, we’ve included a free printable template to make this project simple and stress-free.

This craft combines several classic school-themed elements into one fun project. The crayons add bright pops of color, the apple gives it a traditional school feel, and the chalkboard sign can be customized with different messages if you’d like.

It’s also a great activity for helping children practice important skills such as cutting, gluing, tracing, and following directions. Younger children may need a little help with some of the cutting, while older kids can complete most of the project independently.

One of our favorite ways to use this wreath is as a photo prop. It looks adorable in first day of school pictures and can become part of a fun yearly tradition. Imagine looking back at photos from each school year and seeing your child’s handmade wreath alongside their school outfit and big smile.

Materials Needed for your Back to School Wreath

You’ll only need a few simple craft supplies to make this colorful back-to-school wreath. Most of these items can be found in your craft stash already, making this an easy project to put together.

You’ll need green paint, a paper plate, construction paper, scissors, glue, a marker, and our free printable template. The construction paper is used to create the crayons, apple, and chalkboard pieces that bring the wreath to life.

How to Make a Back to School Paper Plate Wreath

This project comes together quickly and is perfect for an afternoon crafting session.

First, cut out the center of a paper plate to create the wreath shape. Paint the remaining ring green and allow it to dry completely.

Next, cut out the printable templates and trace them onto the corresponding colors of construction paper before cutting out the pieces.

Use a marker to add details to each crayon by outlining them and drawing the signature horizontal stripes. Once finished, glue the crayons around the wreath.

Create the chalkboard sign by attaching the black paper to the brown paper backing. Write “First Day of School” on the black section.

Assemble the apple pieces and glue them onto the chalkboard sign. Finally, attach the completed sign to the bottom of the wreath.

Once everything is dry, your back-to-school wreath is ready to display.

This wreath is especially fun because it doubles as a photo prop. Hang it on your front door before heading out to school, or have your child hold it while posing for their first day of school pictures.

You could even personalize the chalkboard section with your child’s grade level, school year, or teacher’s name. These little details make the photos even more meaningful and create wonderful keepsakes you’ll treasure for years to come.

Craft activities like this one provide much more than just creative fun. Children strengthen their fine motor skills as they cut, trace, paint, and glue the different pieces together.

Crafting also encourages creativity, concentration, and following multi-step directions. Plus, projects tied to important life events can help children process changes and build excitement for new experiences, making this a wonderful activity before the school year begins.

Download the Back to School Wreath Free Printable Template PDF

To make this craft even easier, we’ve included a free printable template. Simply download and print the template, then use it to trace the different pieces onto your colored construction paper. This saves time and helps create a neat, professional-looking finished craft.

Terms of use: This template is free for personal use and classroom use.

More Back to School Crafts for Kids

If your children enjoyed making this paper plate wreath, be sure to check out our other back-to-school activities and crafts. From first day of school printables and classroom-themed coloring pages to school supply crafts and teacher appreciation projects, there are plenty of fun ways to celebrate the start of a new school year.

• Back to School Pencil Craft
• Popsicle Stick Crayons Craft for Kids
• Back to School Collaborative Coloring Poster
• Easy Paper Bag School Bus Craft With Free Printable Template
• Cardboard School Bus Pencil Holder Craft
• Easy Paper Bag Apple Craft
• Back To School Apple Card Craft
• Free Printable Back To School Color by Number & Letter
• Back to School Mad Libs Printable Pack

Popsicle Stick Crayons Craft for Kids

Back to School Pencil Craft

Back to School Collaborative Coloring Poster

We’d love to see your completed back-to-school wreaths. If you make this craft, be sure to share your photos and tag us on social media.

Seeing all of the colorful creations made by families, classrooms, and homeschool groups is one of our favorite parts of sharing crafts. We also really appreciate if you can share this blog post. 

Have fun crafting, and here’s to a wonderful school year ahead!