The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the rainbow rows of markers, and the thrill of a brand-new notebook — back-to-school season is here! Whether you’re a teacher setting up a classroom, a parent getting organized, or a homeschool family ready to make learning fun, Michael’s craft stores have so many adorable finds to kick off the year in style.
Here are some of our absolute favorites this season:
1. Feeling & Emotion Charts
Let’s be honest — kids have big feelings, and helping them name those emotions is just as important as learning ABCs. Michael’s has colorful, visual emotion charts that make it easy for little ones to point to how they’re feeling. From smiley faces to silly expressions, they’re a great way to start morning check-ins at school or at home.
Bonus: Use them in a calm-down corner or even on the fridge for after-school moods!
2. Incentive Charts
Nothing motivates like seeing those shiny stickers fill up a chart! Whether you’re tracking reading goals, homework habits, or classroom participation, Michael’s has cute designs that kids actually get excited about. We love the bright stars, whimsical shapes, and themed designs that make learning feel like a game.
3. Classroom & Door Décor
First impressions matter — even for classrooms! From “Welcome Back!” banners to bulletin board kits with themes like space, jungle, or rainbows, Michael’s makes it easy to decorate without spending hours cutting things out by hand. Door décor sets are also a quick way to make your classroom feel warm and inviting.
Pro tip: Pick a theme you can keep up all year and just swap out seasonal accents.
4. Organizational Must-Haves
Michael’s doesn’t just do crafts — their organization aisle is gold for teachers and parents. Think bright rolling carts for supplies, stackable bins for art projects, and magnetic boards for to-do lists. Perfect for keeping glue sticks, crayons, and all those teeny-tiny learning materials in one place.
5. DIY Touches
The beauty of shopping at a craft store is you can customize everything. Want a personalized pencil caddy? Grab a plain wooden one and let the kids paint it. Need a unique homework station? Use washi tape, scrapbook paper, and label makers to make it Pinterest-worthy.
Why We Love Michael’s for Back-to-School
Shopping at Michael’s feels like mixing the fun of back-to-school with the creativity of art class. You can find ready-to-use supplies, but also the materials to make them uniquely yours. Plus, they’re almost always running sales or have coupons — so you can stock up without feeling guilty.
Whether you’re filling a classroom, setting up a homeschool nook, or just trying to get your kids excited for the first day, Michael’s is a one-stop shop for all things cute, organized, and inspiring.