As students gear up for another school year, many are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Incorporating nature-inspired school supplies into your routine is a great way to promote environmental consciousness and spark creativity. 

Try these DIY projects that will help you craft unique, eco-friendly school supplies using natural materials.

Leaf-Printed Notebooks

Materials Needed: Recycled paper, leaves of various sizes and shapes, non-toxic paint, paintbrush, recycled thread or string and a needle.

Instructions:

Gather leaves from your backyard or a local park. Choose leaves with interesting patterns and textures. Apply a thin layer of non-toxic paint to one side of each leaf using a paintbrush. Press the painted side of the leaf onto a sheet of recycled paper. Gently press down to transfer the paint onto the paper, creating beautiful leaf prints. Repeat the printing process on multiple sheets of paper. Once dry, stack the printed pages together. To bind the notebook, use the needle and thread and sew the pages together on one edge.

 

Twig Colored Pencil Organizer

Materials Needed: twigs, recycled cardboard, glue, scissors, and string. 

Instructions:

Collect twigs or small branches that are relatively straight and of similar thickness. Cut a piece of recycled cardboard into a rectangular shape to serve as the base of your organizer. Glue the twigs onto the cardboard base, placing them side by side. Ensure they are evenly spaced to hold colored pencils securely. Punch holes on either end of the cardboard base and thread a piece of string through to create a handle. Once the glue is dry, use your twig organizer to neatly store and display your colored pencils.

 

Flower Petal Bookmarks

Materials Needed: fresh or dried flower petals of varying colors and sizes, recycled paper or cardstock, glue, clear contact paper or laminate sheets, scissors.

Instructions:

Collect flower petals and press them between the pages of a heavy book to flatten and dry them if not already dried. Cut recycled paper or cardstock into bookmark-sized strips. Arrange the dried flower petals on the paper strips in a pattern you like. Glue the petals to the paper. Cover the bookmarks with clear contact paper or laminate sheets to protect the petals and create a durable bookmark. Then trim any excess paper or laminate off to finish your bookmark. These make great gifts for your friends, teachers, and librarians!

Creating nature-inspired school supplies can be a fun way to phase out summer, and phase in school season. These DIY projects are simple, fun, and a great way to start the school year with a positive environmental impact.