It’s pouring outside. Your kid is bouncing off the walls. You’ve already said “no” to screen time three times... and you still have laundry to fold.
Sound familiar?
We’ve all been there (me "just" in the classroom but I guess you all day on some days...) — and that’s exactly why I created the School Days Cut & Collage Book. It’s a go-to printable pack for moments like this, packed with bright, cheerful school-themed papers and cut-out elements to keep your child focused, creative, and happily occupied.
Even better? You don’t need special supplies, prep time, or a Pinterest board to get started.
Just print (or not even that if you have the physical book), cut, and let the magic unfold.
5 Low-Prep Crafts That Save the Day (and Your Sanity)
1. Cut & Collage Poster
How it works:
Print (or cut out) one of the included patterned background pages and let your child fill it with as many cut-outs as they like. Crayons, apples, paper strips, tape — let them layer, arrange, and decorate to their heart’s content.
Great for: independent crafting, hand-eye coordination, and quiet time
2. Make a Story Starters Box
How it works:
Print and cut several elements (like pencils, rulers, and books), place them in a box or jar. Your child pulls out 2–3 and has to tell or write a silly story based on those items.
Example: “Once a ruler and a pencil had an argument in the classroom…” And: Go a step further! Glue the elements on a paper and have your child draw them cute faces.
Great for: imagination, early writing skills, language development
3. Create a Match & Glue Puzzle
How it works:
Use cut-out elements to make a simple matching game: “Find all the blue items,” “Match all the writing tools,” etc. Your child glues the items into place once matched.
Great for: sorting, visual scanning, learning through play
4. Build a School Scene
How it works:
On a large sheet of paper, draw a simple “classroom” or “schoolyard” layout. Then let your child cut and glue collage elements into the scene — backpacks in cubbies, apples on desks, crayons in a box.
Great for: spatial planning, storytelling, pretend play
5. Color & Display Craft Station
How it works:
Let your child color their favorite elements, cut them out, and hang them on a string across a window or pinboard like a little “school celebration” garland.
Great for: decoration, creative confidence, rainy-day cheer!
Grab Your Free Download!
All of these ideas (plus 10 more!) are included in a ready-to-print, totally free download:
“15 Creative Ways to Use the School Days Cut & Collage Book”
Click here to get it
And don’t forget — if you’re a member of the Pepper Printable Club, the full School Days eBook is already waiting for you in your account.
No more rainy-day chaos. Just print (or use your book), cut, and breathe.
The Pepper Printable Club
Join the Pepper Printable Club for the fun in life and get 100s of Printable, Learning Sheets and SVG files along with graphic sets for scrapbooking and more! Additionally, you'll find video lessons there as well!
It's a lovely place to be to relax from the everyday life!