Home Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas

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June 4, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Home Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas

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Is Back to School on your mind? It is in the forefront of ours and we are preparing an organized home to create an organized year. Below is some of our favorite Family Command Centers and Homework Center Ideas for getting the year off to a great start!

Want to get organized? Easily organize your life with our Busy Mom Binder!

I get it guys, I am so busy too. I work and raise three kids and cart them to and fro from after school activities In order to get a hold and re-organize my life, I created the Busy Mom Binder. This keeps your family command center in one spot. It easily organizes your home, your kids and you and gives you a place to direct your husband when he asks that home/kids question for the 100th time – wink!

Get the Busy Mom Binder Digital Download!

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Family Home Command Centers:

IKEA Bookshelf Command Center from Iron and Twine

Plaid Kitchen Command Center from The Clay Family.

Command Closet from Happy Housie.

Small Space Command Center from Jenna Burger.

Family Command Center with Canvas Bags from The Yellow Cape Cod.

Kitchen Command Center from Clean and Scentsible.

Command Center with Magnetic Map from Domestic Imperfection.

Command Center Mud Room from The Wid Kids.

Fridge Command Center from the 36th Avenue.

Drop Spot Command Center from Hi Sugar Plum.

Giant Chalkboard Command Center from Beneath My Heart.

Hidden Kitchen Cabinet Organizer from I Heart Organizing

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Homework Centers:

We have more! Don’t forget our Homework Stations Solutions and Spaces on Frugal Coupon Living.

Bright and Engaging Homework Center from Craft-o-Maniac.

The Cozy Homework Center & Loft from The Friendly Home.

Homework Closet from I Heart Organizing.

Red, White and Blue Homework Center from Honey We’re Home.

Portable Homework Cart from Teaspoons and Tinsel.

Homework Room and Nook from Petite Party Studio.

Teen Homework Center for a Small Space from Making the World Cuter.

Small Homework Spot from Tiny Oranges.

Kids Homework Station for Two from Clean and Scentsible.

Homework Table with Seat Sacks from Scissors and Spatulas.

IKEA Homework Center from Real Coake.

Portable Homework Spot from Uncommon Designs Online.

We have more! Don’t forget our Homework Stations Solutions and Spaces on Frugal Coupon Living. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget our Kids DIY Back to School Crafts. Pin to Pinterest.

Checkout our Creative Reading Corner Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas for the Mail

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May 13, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas for the mail plus a free donut teacher appreciation printable gift tag that can be delievered via email, over USPS or with Restaurant delivery or pick-up. Plus Virtual teacher appreciation ideas for Zoom, Google classroom and more.

Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Coming up with this Quarantine Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea took some time. I knew I wanted a punny teacher appreciation printable that could be used during Teacher Appreciation week or as an end of the year gift idea. Plus, currently we are in social isolation and many local restaurants and establishments are suffering, so I wanted to grab something would would give back to local organizations.

We came up with this easy Teacher Appreciation Week gift idea – DONUT you know how much I miss you printable gift tag for teachers. And for years, were we are not in social isolation, this teacher gift tag also comes with another quote that reads DONUT know what I would do without you.

Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Donut Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag

Get all of our free printables including our donut teacher appreciation gift tag. Subscribe and look for a link and password in our inbox. The password allows you to access and download all of our free printables.

1.) Enter your email address HERE.

2.) Confirm the email request in your inbox.

3.) Look for the link and passcode in your inbox.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I am happy to share printables. When sharing with others, please lead them to my website instead of emailing them the file(s). It takes time, effort and money to put the freebies forth and I earn when you visit. Thanks for visiting and thanks for sharing with others!

I have a video to show you how I print my PDF documents at Staples. You can sign in or create a Staples account.

Mail a Gift Card

For our donut teacher appreciation gift card idea, we went at it two ways. First, we picked up gift cards that teachers could use at their leisure. I privately emailed teachers and asked for their best mailing address (knowing well that I might be the school address.) It was a personal question and I know some teachers would want to keep that information private. I softened it by sharing my child wanted to send them a treat. This teacher gift card idea well because it’s a gift that is not perishable. They can get it immediately at their home or when they return to school to pick up materials.

If leaving the home is not convenient for you, consider shopping Amazon for gift cards. You can have them mailed to your home and then add our printable teacher appreciation gift tag before mailing to your child’s educator.

By purchasing from a local bakery or restaurant, you are supporting small businesses during social isolation. Consider it a win/win.

Online Restaurant Delivery

Another option using your donut teacher gift tag is restaurant delivery or pick-up. We used Door Dash to deliver donuts. In this case, you can swing the gift tag to the establishment and add it to the order.

If leaving the house is not an option, consider this electronic addition. You can email the gift tag separately with a sweet message that your great teacher is expecting a delivery.

Another creative idea is to take a photo of your child holding the printed gift tag and email it to your teacher after the Restaurant Delivery arrives (track it on your phone or app.) I think this is a cute idea because it’s personalizes the doughnut delivery with a cute smile from your child and a sweet punny teacher message attached.

For this Teacher Appreciation Restaurant Delivery idea you will need your teacher’s home mailing address.

Teacher Appreciation Printables

We have years and years worth of teacher appreciation printables. Use any of these ideas and using a flat rate shipping box from USPS fill your box with a teacher gift and send it straight from your mailbox. Never leave the home.

More Unique Teacher Appreciation Gift Ideas

Get creative with your electronic and virtual teacher appreciation ideas too.

Host a Class Zoom Party. have all the kids dress up and surprise the teacher. During this time you can share memories of the year together.
Make a Video Message. Have all the students in the class send in a 10 second clip of the reason they love their teacher. Piece those together for a sweet video message. Such a unique and priceless gift idea.
Send an Books Gift Card. One of my favorite places to shop for books is Better World Books. You can buy used or new books. I love buying used knowing I am recycling older books and finding many of my favorite authors and books for less. This also allows teachers to fill their personal and classroom library.
Thanks a Lattee. Thank a teacher a lot with a printable coffee gift card! Print and mail.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Donut Teacher Appreciation Gift Tag. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

The end of the school year is new. Save these End of the School Year Acitivites and Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Find creative Pun-Tastic teacher gift ideas for save these Punny Teacher Appreciation Printables too! Pin to Pinterest.

Back to School Remarkable Teacher Bookmark Template

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July 18, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

It’s back to school season and you don’t have to blow the budget with random acts of kindness ideas. Download this Remarkable Teacher Bookmark Template and gift with Sharpies, Dry Erase Markers or Highlighters that she/he can use during the school year!

Remarkable Teacher Bookmark Template

Looking forward to a re-MARK-able school year!

Show some love to a teacher with this creative bookmark template. Add your favorite markers – dry erase, highlighters or Sharpies (our favorite), and gift to a teacher on the first day of school or at Open House.

Make a First Impression!

While it’s not needed, it’s a really cute way to enter a classroom during Open House or Meet the Teacher day. It makes a great first impression. Did you realize a teacher spends more hours in the day with your child than you get to during the school year. This is a great way to respect and affirmation for the person who will be caring for your child.

Want more ideas? Also check out our Punny Teacher Gifts with Free Printables and Teacher Appreciation Printables.

Teacher Bookmark Gift Supplies:

All you need is love for this teacher gift – okay, perhaps a little more. These are the supplies that helped us pull of this cute and punny teacher gift idea.

Re-Mark-Able school year bookmark printable (see below)
Twine
Markers
Scissors
Hole punch

Random Acts of Kindness Ideas

Looking forward to a re-mark-able school year! This bookmark quote for teachers is perfect for an educator on the first day of school. It’s just a thoughtful way to say I we support you and are thinking about you. Speaking of Random Acts of Kindness Ideas, don’t forget to pay it forward during your child’s birthday!

Teacher Bookmark Gift Directions:

To make your teacher bookmark gift is pretty simple. First sign up for our email and then download our free printable. Cut out the bookmark. Add two holes using a hole punch in the center. Place your markers in the center of the bookmark. Tie off with twine.

I personally like to download my document and then upload it to Staples. I pick it up in their copy department and it saves me money on ink and cardstock.

To Order Your Printables at Staples*:

Download and save your image from this post. (Please note these images are for personal use only and cannot be sold or used for commercial use.)
Sign in or create a Staples account on their print service page.
Return to Staples print service page.
Go to Start Project.
Go to Documents Printing. Select Browse.
Select the Buy Now Button under color.
On the left column, choose add file.
Select upload.
Select done.
Give your job a name.
Make sure your project is single sided. The orientation should be portrait (vertical).
I changed my media to 8.5×10 and the media to 67 lb cover stock (I prefer a card stock feel over printer paper feel.)
Select add to cart.
Proceed to checkout. You can choose to ship to your home or to pick up at your local store. Pay online and show your invoice when you pick up (I just show the order number on my phone at pick-up.) The order invoice will arrive in your email inbox.
Enjoy!

*Note: these Staple print service steps were added in Summer 2019 The directions may change as the website changes. They should give you a general outline of how to upload and order a print on Staples.com.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final bookmark teacher gift. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

The first school might just be ringing, but save these Teacher Appreciation Printables for later in the year. Pin to Pinterest.

If you love a little humor, also save these Punny Teacher Gifts with Free Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Back to School Snack Ideas No Bake Apple Donuts

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July 13, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

Ready for the school bell? We have some Back to School Snack Ideas including this easy no bake Apple Donut Recipe. Kids snacks that celebrate the start of the school year.

School Snack Ideas Apple Donuts

What are you first day of school traditions? Historically, we have always gone out for ice cream after school. Apparently, we are not alone because we always ran into friends in our ice cream runs. One year I found myself at Target and let the kids pick up a treat in the toy aisle – I am a sucker. As more kids came along, our after school adventures ran into younger siblings naps and I had to get creative at home. Thus evolved our First Day of School Snack Ideas you can make at home.

We wanted more Back to School Snack Ideas and I am sure you did too. From Graham Cracker Pencils to Chalkboard Cookies to Apple Nutter Butter Pops, we have plenty of creative kids snacks to welcome your kids into the front door! This year, we bring you donuts!

These apple doughnuts do not disappoint. Have as a surprise after school snack for the kids or let them enjoy the process as these donuts are incredibly easy for little hands to make!

Your ingredients are pretty simple. Pick up donuts at the store as your base – no oven necessary!

Apple Donuts Ingredients:

Back to School Snack Ideas Apple Donuts

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Lay out a piece of parchment paper.
2. Add 1 cup of red frosting to a microwave safe bowl, heat for 15 seconds and mix.
3. Carefully hold the sides of each donut and dip the top into the melted red frosting, let any excess drip off and set onto the parchment paper.
4. Immediately top with sprinkles.
5. Break the pretzel sticks in half and stick one into the top of each doughnut.
6. Form the fondant into small balls and form into a leaf.
7. Dip the bottom of the leaf into the frosting and stick onto the top of the donut.

Recipe Card powered by

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final recipe. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Apple Donuts Directions:

First, lay out a piece of parchment paper.

Add 1 cup of red frosting to a microwave safe bowl, heat for 15 seconds and mix.

Carefully hold the sides of each donut and dip the top into the melted red frosting, let any excess drip off and set onto the parchment paper.

Immediately top your frosted area with sprinkles.

Next, break the pretzel sticks in half and stick one into the top of each doughnut.

Form the fondant into small balls and form into a leaf.

Lastly, dip the bottom of the leaf into the frosting and stick onto the top of the donut.

Enjoy! … and as a former teacher, my suggestion is to be sure to send one in for the teacher the next day of school!

Also check out these Back to School / First Day of School Snack Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Follow these Why Didn’t I Think of That?! Back to School Lunch Hacks. Pin to Pinterest.

Locker Ideas for the Coolest Kid in the Hall

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July 6, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Fun and creative locker ideas for the coolest kid in the hall. School locker organization DIY on Frugal Coupon Living for Middle and High Schoolers.

Locker Ideas for the Coolest Kid in the Hall

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Middle school can be intimidating. The big halls, the switching classes, feeling like a little fish in a large pond… but come on, when it comes to the locker (only), you know you wanna go back. To me, decorating a locker is like the graduation of decorating your childhood doll house. You have graduated from the dolls/Barbies, but this gives you your unique space to have fun and call your own. While my girls are still in elementary school, I had fun with this post. I love the rungs, the chandeliers, the shelving, the decor, all the little touches that would make your little (excuse me, big girl) feel special on the first day of school! And you know what mom, a lot of it is still fun and juvenile just to keep her from growing up too soon!

Locker Party Idea: with some of these homemade locker crafts, consider having friends over a few weeks before school starts. You could buy plush fabric and make your own locker carpets. You could also buy all the supplies you need to make some of these DIY locker decorations. It’s a fun way to celebrate and bond before the first school bell rings.

Ok really, how easy and adorable are these DIY Glittered Clothespins? Frugal, easy, and a fun locker accessory! I love that you can do them yourself in a day. You know our little girl will take pride in them too. | The Proper Blog

A school locker essential might be a fun dry erase board. We love this Locker Zebra Dry Erase Board from Pottery Barn Teen. You can find more HERE.

Have your subjects stand out with these printable binder covers! Easily see each subject without digging in your locker! | The Preppy Greek

In your locker, magnets must be strong! Take a look at the best locker magnet. This one can hold a lot of weight without slipping! | Lockers and Magnets

The floor of a locker can get gross – especially after the dozens of students that have used the locker before you! Pick up a fun locker rug – a Locker Lookz Shaggy Rug!

Your daughter is going to love personalizing her space! Take a look at these fun and creative locker wallpapers! No one wants to look at ugly metal! These prints come from Pottery Barn Teen.

Just walking inside a Hobby Lobby store gives me inspiration. If you need a look to inspire your creative locker juices, take a look at this adorable locker! | Hobby Lobby

Chandelier in your locker? We say “Yes please!” Let there be light. | The Container Store

I love this color coded key for keeping track of your subjects and classes. Notice how each binder is a different color and the chart on the locker door lists the color-coded subjects. | Source Unknown

Create a survival locker kit. Have hair ties, hand sanitizer, mints, feminine products, chap-stick and more! | Frugal Coupon Living

This summer, get a little DIY with this fun Fabric Frame Tutorial | Primrose

Did you realize a cereal box can turn into a magnetic bin – talk about money saved! We love this locker tip! | Soho Sonnet

This is adorable – stand out with a little fringe for a totally unique locker decor idea. | BHG (You can get the magnetic tape here!)

Even Ziploc is ready for back to school season! Take a look at these fancy spray painted magnetic Ziploc® organizers for your locker | Ziploc

Is staying organized difficult. Take a look at this homemade ombre command center, perfect locker decor! | She’s Kinda Crafty

A disco ball would be kind of cool, no? Turn a clear ornament with a broken up CD into a homemade locker disco ball! | Creme De La Craft (you can also buy one here)

After having a locker in the hall, comes prepping for your dorm. Save these Dorm Room Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

We also love these Back to School Lunch Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

Before you head back, save these Back to School Printables. We love the If You Give a Teacher a Cookie tags. We gifted cookies our first day of school! Pin to Pinterest.

Before buying all your school supplies, take a look at these Kids DIY Back to School Craft & School Supplies. Pin to Pinterest.

Back to School | FREE Printable Lunch Notes

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July 5, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Education, Pinterest, Summer

FREE PRINTABLE LUNCH NOTES

Last week we brought you a cute and unique apple stamped lunch sack idea, and this week a fun note to stick inside. In just a couple of weeks your family will be getting into school mode and sometimes it’s an easier transition for some than others. As teachers we know how important it is for our students to feel love and supported by their families while their away learning for the day. These super snazzy and sweet lunch notes are a great way to send a warm thought to your favorite student! Simply print them out, and you can even write something special on the back too.

Get these lunch box notes printables and all of Frugal Coupon Living’s Free Printables. Enter your name and email address and we will send you a link and password for access to your free downloads.

I printed mine and laminated them to reuse them over and over.

Don’t forget these lunchbox round-ups!

Project Lunchbox – Creative and Budget Friendly Themes :

1.) Introduction – Project Lunchbox – Pin It

2.) ABC Theme Lunch – Pin It

3.) Shark Week Lunch Theme – Pin It

4.) Camping Theme – Pin It

5.) Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Theme – Pin It

6.) Bug Lunch Theme – Pin It

7.) Happy Birthday Lunchbox – Pin It

For more back to school ideas and products visit us at www.simplysprouteducate.com and our newly opened Teacher’s Notebook store.

Do not forget about the First Day of School Printables… Pick up the perfect sign from Marcy at Magic by Marcy.

Back to School | FREE Lunch Notes for Kids

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July 5, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Crafts, Facebook, Free, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

FREE Lunch Notes

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Going from having the kids daily over summer to a 7+ hour school day, is a bit exhilarating but also a bit saddening. I admit there is a point in the day where I think about what are they doing, how are they feeling, did they finish their lunch, etc. During the school year, one of the best ways I connect with my kids is school notes – they love them too! Sometimes I find my older daughter packing my younger child’s school lunch and tossing in a note so that she feels special. It truly is a pick-up.

I have a drawer full of school notes. We offered these Back to School Free Printable Lunch Notes and I have picked up others too. You can print it out on paper and toss after use or laminate them and use them over and over. The paper ones are easy to write a note on the back, the laminated ones hold well in the lunch boxes for re-use. I attach a post-it note to them so I can add my own special message.

Directions:

1.) Download your FREE Lunch Notes (see below).

2.) Print on an 8 1/2 by 11 paper (card stock is my preference)

3.) Optional: Laminate using a home laminator. (This is is the Scotch Laminator that I have.)

Get these Lunch Note printables and all of Frugal Coupon Living’s Free Printables. Enter your name and email address and we will send you a link and password for access to your free downloads.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

Don’t forget one of my favorite Frugal Coupon Living Freebies – our Back to School Free Printable Lunch Notes. Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy our Back to School Printables. Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy our Back to School Kid Snack Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Want another back to school idea – we love this Taco Bento Box with FREE Printable Lunch Notes! Pin to Pinterest.

Movie Night Teacher Appreciation Gift with FREE Printables

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July 5, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Coupons, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Free, Frugal Living, Instagram, Pinterest, Seasonal, Social Media

Movie Night Teacher Appreciation Gift

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We love our Teachers and want to gift them with something that shows how much we appreciate their time and dedication to our kiddos. Most teachers get mugs filled with candy and while that’s also a lovely gift, we wanted to make something with a little more ‘pop’! That’s where this Movie Night Idea came in. One of our favorite things to do as a family is rent a Redbox movie, pop some popcorn and relax together. We figured our teachers would love that too! So, we packaged up some popcorn, you could also add a bag of un-popped corn and tied it up with twine attached the FREE Printables and the gift was ready to go! So easy!

You can get your own Redbox Code Gift HERE.

Get this Popular Teacher Appreciation printable and all of Frugal Coupon Living’s Free Printables. Enter your name and email address and we will send you a link and password for access to your free downloads.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

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We love our Thanks A Latte Printable. Pin to Pinterest.

Speaking of POPULAR, our “Stay Calm, Teach On” Pencil Vase with FREE Printable Gift Tag is another great and popular idea for Teacher Appreciation Week or back to school! Pin to Pinterest.