Hey, crafty friends! ✏️ Back to school season is one of my favourite times to craft — there's just something about making the first day (or the last day, or any day in between!) feel a little more special. Today I'm sharing two of my go-to Cricut projects for school treats: one perfect for surprising your students, and one that makes the sweetest teacher appreciation gift.
The Pencil Treat Box
If you want to make the first day of school extra memorable, this Pencil Treat Box is my top pick. It's shaped like a classic school pencil — eraser, metal band, wood grain tip and all — with a little cutout window on the front that reveals a "Back To School" message inside.
This one is a genuinely fun paper craft project (not just a quick fold-and-go), which makes it a great activity to do together with your kids before the big day, or to batch-make for an entire classroom.
What it's great for:
- Welcome gifts for a new class
- Classroom party favours
- First-day-of-school surprises
- Student rewards throughout the year
A few practical notes:
- Finished size is about 13 x 6 x 3 cm (5.12 x 2.36 x 1.18 in) — plenty of room for candy, small toys, gift cards, or stickers
- Works with Cricut, Silhouette, and other cutting machines
- Comes with a video tutorial to walk you through assembly step by step
- Note: an acetate sheet for the window isn't included, so grab one separately if you want that clear-window look
The Smiling Pencil Candy Holder
Teachers deserve just as much love as students on the first day (arguably more!), and this Smiling Pencil Candy Holder is one of my sweetest designs for exactly that. It's a dome-style ornament candy holder shaped like a happy little pencil character, available in two sizes to fit either a 6cm or 8cm clear dome.
This one has become a genuine favourite in my shop.
What it's great for:
- Teacher appreciation gifts
- End-of-year thank-you treats
- Classroom rewards and incentives
- Team-building or office back-to-school treats (yes, adults love these too!)
A few practical notes:
- Small size: 7 x 14 cm (2.76 x 5.51 in) / Large size: 9 x 19 cm (3.54 x 7.48 in)
- The clear dome ornament isn't included, so you'll need to pick one up in either 6cm or 8cm
- Comes with all pieces ungrouped, so you can easily customize the colours
- Two video tutorials included to make assembly a breeze
Which One Should You Make?
Honestly? Both! They pair beautifully together if you're doing a "teacher and student" themed set, or you can pick whichever fits your project:
- Want something to fill with candy and hand to a whole classroom of kids? Go with the Pencil Treat Box.
- Want something extra sweet and giftable for one special teacher? The Smiling Pencil Candy Holder is the one.
Either way, these make back-to-school season feel a little more fun — for the kids getting the treats and for you making them!
If you make either of these, I'd love to see your creations. Tag me or send me a photo — nothing makes my day more than seeing my designs come to life in your craft room. Both files are available in my Etsy shop, complete with video instructions to guide you through every step.
Happy crafting! — Niki
