All aboard for back-to-school fun! This school bus name craft is the perfect way to help kids learn name recognition while getting excited for the first day of school.
RELATED: pencil name craft
School Bus Name Craft
Get ready to roll into a new school year with this fun and engaging School Bus Name Craft!
Perfect for preschool, kindergarten, or early elementary students, this hands-on activity combines creativity with name recognition to create a keepsake kids will be proud of.
Not only is it a blast to color and personalize, but it’s also a wonderful way for children to practice spelling their names while building fine motor skills.
Ideal for the first week of school, this craft makes a fantastic back-to-school activity, doubles as cheerful classroom decor, and is a great icebreaker to help teachers learn student names.
It’s the perfect way to kick off the school year with creativity and confidence!
What You’ll Need
- School Bus Template – Grab your free printable template at the bottom of this post to get started.
- Cardstock Paper – We recommend using Neenah White cardstock for a sturdy, long-lasting craft.
- Coloring Tools – Markers, crayons, or colored pencils all work great—let kids choose their favorites!
- Scissors – Kid-friendly scissors for cutting out the bus and name circles.
- Glue Stick or White Glue – To assemble all the pieces securely.
- Black Sharpie or Marker – Perfect for writing letters or adding extra details to the bus.
How To Make A School Bus Name Craft
- Print the Template – Begin by printing the school bus name craft template on high-quality white cardstock. We recommend Neenah White for a sturdy, professional-looking result.
- Color the School Bus – Invite kids to color in their school bus. While we chose a classic yellow design, encourage creativity—kids can use any colors they like to make their bus unique!
- Cut Out the Pieces – Using child-safe scissors, have kids carefully cut out the school bus and as many letter circles as they need to spell their name. (For example, a 5-letter name needs 5 circles.)
- Glue the Letters – Apply a small dab of glue to each circle and attach them to the side of the bus in the correct name order.
- Add the Name – With a black permanent marker or dark pen, have kids write one letter of their name on each circle.
Back To School Book Picks
Kick off the school year with a simple, hands-on activity that helps kids ease into new routines. Pair this school bus name craft with a few back-to-school books to spark conversation, support name recognition, and make the first days more approachable.
These book and craft combos are a great way to calm nerves, encourage sharing, and set the stage for a smooth start—whether you’re at home or in the classroom.
- The Crayons Go Back to School – From the team behind The Day the Crayons Quit, this colorful story shows crayons excited (and sometimes embarrassed) about returning to class—and it ties in beautifully with your pencil-themed craft.
- Curly Crow Goes to School – A sweet tale of a little crow braving the first-day jitters and finding joy in recess—that perfect companion when kids see their own names on their pencils.
- I Don’t Want to Go to School ! – A relatable read for hesitant learners, this book gently addresses first-day fears—ideal to pair with the confidence-boosting name craft.
- Back to School, Backpack ! – Told from a backpack’s perspective, this playful book explores first-day unease and excitement—mirroring the personalization and comfort found in making a pencil with your own name.
- Alpaca Goes Back‑A to School – An alpaca’s funny, enthusiastic return to school encourages laughter—and creativity—making it a great read alongside coloring and assembling pencil crafts.
- Night Before Kindergarten – A cozy bedtime story about prepping for the first day—pair it with your craft activity the night before school to build anticipation and comfort.
Download Instructions
Getting your hands on this fun and free printable template to make a school bus name craft is really easy! Just fill out the quick form at the bottom of this post and hit that “send me the printable” button.
Once you’ve signed up, check your email to confirm—then voilà! You’ll officially be part of our mailing list and get instantly redirected to the PDF file with the free printable bus template.
Already subscribed? No worries! If you’ve downloaded from us before, simply fill out the form again, and you’ll be automatically sent straight to the download link for our school bus name craft template—no extra steps needed.
Share With Us
I’d love to see how your school bus name craft turns out!
Whether you’re making them in the classroom, at home, or during a summer camp activity, be sure to snap a photo and share it.
Tag me on social media (Facebook or Pinterest) or leave a comment below—I’m always so thrilled to see these crafts in action and celebrate your kids’ creativity!
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