Back to School Stickers for Kids: Creative DIY Ideas to Make at Home

The school year is just around the corner and if you're anything like me, you want to send your little ones off with something fun, personal, and practical.

Making back to school stickers is a lovely way to ease into the new school year and add a creative touch to lunchboxes, pencil cases, notebooks, and more. 

In this post, I'll share some DIY back to school sticker ideas for kids to help you create school-themed designs children will love and actually use. These are perfect for mums, grandparents, and teachers who want to make back to school season feel a little more fun and a lot more personal.

Why Make Back to School Stickers?

Heading back to school can be a big transition: New teachers, new classmates, new routines, sometimes even entirely new schools. Creating your own stickers for kids can help ease the nerves and bring a little joy to the everyday.

Here's what makes DIY stickers perfect for the season:

• Personalized with their names, interests, or school colors
• Practical for labelling books, supplies, and lunchboxes
• Creative and fun to design together (great for quality time!)
• Budget-friendly, since you can use what you already have at home

DIY Back to School Sticker Ideas for Kids

Here are my favorite sticker ideas to create for school-aged children, from preppy planners to practical labels and playful designs.

1. Name Stickers

Perfect for labeling everything: Books, binders, lunchboxes, pencil cases.

Try using bright block fonts or bubbly handwritten styles, with borders or icons your child loves (like animals, sports, or stars).

Name stickers are a must for little ones who tend to be forgetful or misplace their belongings.

2. Subject Icons

Make a set of stickers to help them organize their folders and notebooks.

Think of different icons to go with each subject. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• 📚 A stack of books for English
• 🔬 A microscope for Science
• 🎨 A paint palette for Art

3. Positive Affirmation Stickers

Create mini motivational stickers they can stick inside their planner or pencil case for when they need a pick-me-up.

Phrases like "You've got this!" or "Today will be awesome" are lovely for building confidence.

4. Reward or Incentive Stickers

Great for encouraging positive behavior or tracking progress at home or school.

Use stars, hearts, or smiley faces with phrases like "Well Done!" or "Keep Going!"

5. Lunchbox Love Notes

Create heart-shaped stickers with sweet phrases or encouraging notes like "Can't wait to hear about your day" or a simple "I love you!".

They're quick to peel and stick on sandwich wraps or juice pouches as a way for kids to know they're loved and appreciated.

6. Custom Backpack Tags

Use printable vinyl or laminate your sticker to create a name tag for their backpack.

Add their name, class, and maybe a favorite color or animal for a personal flair.

7. Planner Stickers

If your child uses a school planner or diary, make some simple task or schedule stickers.

Think reminders like:

• Homework
• Spelling Test
• Library Day
• Field Trip
• Picture Day

8. Classroom Supply Stickers

Help younger kids keep track of their supplies by putting their name or a symbol on items like glue sticks, scissors, or marker packs.

Tip: Use waterproof or laminated sticker paper for items that get tossed around often.

9. Weekly Routine Stickers

Design stickers for each day of the week to help kids visualize their routines. This is great for neurodiverse learners or visual thinkers, especially if certain days tend to have different schedules.

10. First Day of School Milestone Stickers

Celebrate the big day with fun photo-ready stickers like:

• "First Day of Second Grade!"
• "Back to School, Let's go!"

Use them for first-day photos or memory books. Add the school year or your child's name for a personal touch. 

How to Choose the Right Stickers for Your Child

When you're creating stickers for school-aged kids, a few thoughtful choices can make them more useful and more fun.

Match their interests

Include their favorite animals, sports, colors, or characters. Kids are more likely to use the stickers if they feel personal.

Consider their age and learning stage

For younger kids, focus on bold shapes, name labels, and visual cues.

For older kids, try planner stickers, subject tags, and custom quote stickers.

Think function + fun

Mix decorative stickers (like stars and cute doodles) with practical ones (like name tags or reminders). That way, you're helping them and delighting them.

Sticker-Making with Kids: Tips for Success

• Keep shapes simple if kids are helping with cutting
• Print a few extras in case something gets misplaced or torn
• Design together — Kids love picking out colors, fonts, and clip art!
• Make it a back-to-school tradition for creative fun every year.

Want Ready-to-Go Sticker Templates for Kids?

If you're short on time but still want to create fun, thoughtful stickers for kids, come join us in Secret Sticker Society.

It's my monthly sticker-making membership that gives you:

• 2 new printable sticker templates every month
• Step-by-step tutorials to help you make them confidently
• A growing library of kid-friendly and seasonal designs
• Ongoing support from a warm, creative community

Click here to join Secret Sticker Society today!

Final Thoughts

Back to school season doesn't have to be stressful. It can be fun, creative, and even a bit magical. With these DIY back to school sticker ideas for kids, you'll not only get your child organized, you'll be creating something meaningful and memorable together.

So grab your sticker paper, pick a few ideas from the list, and get crafting!