Welcome the kids home from their first day of school with a delightful afternoon Back to School Party! I’ll guide you on how to use the Cricut Joy and my favorite Smart Materials™ to create beautiful and imaginative classroom decorations, making it easy to celebrate the beginning of a new school year in a thoughtful and enjoyable way!
YOU WILL NEED
Cricut Joy – I use this machine frequently for various crafts, school projects, organization ideas, and more! Cricut’s machines and materials are incredibly easy to use.
Supplies Needed:
- Cardstock: I used two shades of green and one sheet of brown.
- Cutting mat
- Vinyl: I chose black.
- Red balloons: When shopping for your red balloons, remember that bigger is better! Smaller balloons hold less helium and may be weighed down by the cardstock you’ll attach on top. We recommend getting balloons that are 17 inches or larger. If you can’t find any that big, don’t worry—we’ll show you how to make smaller ones work!
- Clear tape
- Helium tank
- Red frosted cupcakes and cookies
- Milk or juice
- Paper goods: Napkins, straws, cups, etc.
PARTY SET UP
For this Back to School Treat Bar, we’re using the Cricut Joy to cut out stems and leaves to transform our balloons and goodies into adorable apples. Here’s how to do it:
Steps1: Cutting Cardstock for the Cricut Machine
Begin by trimming your cardstock to fit into your Cricut machine.
Step 2: Cutting Green Leaves
In Cricut Design Space, select some pre-made designs for leaves and stems, then cut them out using your cardstock.
Step 3: Assembling the Stems and Leaves
Tape the leaves to the stems and fold the bottom to create a flap. This will allow you to secure the arrangement to the top of a balloon with tape.
Step 4: Creating Apple Balloons
How cute are these apple balloons?! If the weight of the cardstock stem and leaves is too much for your balloons, tape them in a cluster first, then attach the stems on alternating sides to keep everything balanced and facing upwards. I’ll be honest—this process took some time! Using larger balloons makes it easier, but don’t be discouraged; smaller balloons will work too!
Step 5: Adding Leaves to Cupcakes
Place some smaller leaves and stems on your cupcakes…
Step 6: Decorating Cookies
…and on your cookies…
Step 7: Dressing Up Paper Straws
…and even on your paper straws!
This is such a simple way to make everything cohesive and festive!
This idea also serves as adorable Back-to-School photo props that parents and teachers can use in their homes or classrooms. Here are some fun suggestions:
- Create an apple balloon backdrop for kids to pose in front of (creativity sparks learning!).
- Decorate the classroom with clusters of balloons for easy decor.
- Add black vinyl to an apple balloon with your child’s grade level and snap a quick picture to document (and celebrate!) the start of the new school year!
So many options! Cricut helps teachers and parents spend less time on preparation and more time on inspiration, allowing you to create lasting memories with your kids!
CONCLUSION
As we wrap up our exploration of back-to-school party ideas, it’s clear that there are countless ways to make this exciting time even more memorable. From classic games and activities to themed decorations and delicious treats, the possibilities are endless.
Remember, the most important thing is to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere where students can reconnect with friends and get excited about the new school year. So, gather your friends and family, let your creativity soar, and throw a back-to-school party that everyone will remember!
