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Craft Tutorials | Crafts for Kids | Back to School Crafts | Homework Before Play Sign

Homework Before Play Sign

Author by Amanda Davis on July 18, 2010 Updated on January 15, 2019

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I know, back to school! It’s not even the end of July, but I’ve already started buying school supplies so that the financial hardship that it brings isn’t so “all at once”. I’m not really ready to start making back to school crafts, but I thought I would share this fun sign I made a few years ago. The idea is to hang this on the front door. When the sign says “doing homework” friends will know to come back later.

You see I actually had a deep need for this sign a while back. My kids’ friends would come and knock on the door looking for my boys. The most common answers I gave were “they are doing homework” or “they are outside playing”. This sign was a big help in answering that question for me!

Sorry I don’t have any step by step photos, but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask :)

Homework Before Play Sign

* I purchased my shirt sign at Michael’s Craft Store.

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Homework Before Play Sign

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • shirt shaped paper mache sign*
  • Liquitex Basics Gesso
  • black craft pen
  • medium flat brush
  • large scruffy paint brush
  • acrylic sealer spray matte

Acrylic Paint

  • red
  • yellow
  • white

Instructions

  • Paint the entire sign with one coat of Gesso. If you don't have Gesso, you can find it in the art department of any craft supply or hobby store. Alternatively, you can use a coat of white acrylic paint. Allow to dry completely.
  • Paint entire sign with yellow acrylic paint. Let dry and repeat with a second coat.
  • The stripes do not require a pattern, uneven lines add to the character of this project. After yellow paint has dried, use a medium flat brush to paint on wide red stripes, starting at the bottom of the shirt and working your way upward. Paint a red collar band and sleeve bands on as well. Repeat on the other side. Let dry completely.
  • Before this step, be certain that the red paint is completely dry or the white will turn pink. Use a large scruffy brush to dab on a white oval in the center of the shirt. Let dry and repeat. Let second coat dry completely.
  • Use a black craft pen to write "outside playing" on one side and "doing homework" on the other side. Spray both side with acrylic sealer spray and let dry overnight. Hang!
  • To use: Simply hang on your child's door, or on your front door. Have your child flip the sign to the appropriate side when needed.

 

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Visit thecsiproject.com

 

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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Back to School Crafts, Fall Crafts Tagged With: back to school, kid's crafts, painting

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Comments

  1. The Creative Chickadee says

    September 1, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    Great Idea!!! found you over at CSI.

    Kelly

    Reply
  2. Yanet @ 3 Sun Kissed Boys says

    September 8, 2010 at 1:51 am

    That's a great idea! I'm always doing the same thing. Maybe I need to make a sign too.

    Reply
  3. Valerie says

    September 7, 2010 at 1:17 pm

    This is adorable. I think I need one for me!

    Reply
  4. sommerhowey says

    August 21, 2010 at 10:02 pm

    That is such a cute idea. I love this. I will be attempting to make this for my little girl, but use a dress instead of a shirt.

    Reply
  5. WildHair says

    July 27, 2010 at 8:03 pm

    I think this is a good idea. When my children were much younger, I had a new baby and all the children napped at the same time, so I did too, every day without fail the neighbor children would bang on the door, they didn't just wait a minute in between knocks either, it would wake everyone up and make a mad mom of me. One day I made a door hanger with a photo of my newborn sleeping but no words. I hung it on the door and they never knocked if it was hanging up, they'd just wait until they saw us outside then come on ever. Even if they hadn't been taught to ask their mother first they good and well knew better than to wake a sleeping new baby!

    Reply
  6. Amanda says

    July 27, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Thanks so much for all of your kind comments everyone!

    Reply
  7. Melinda says

    July 27, 2010 at 12:27 am

    Thank you. I actually need this. We homeschool, and we started school last week, but the neighbors haven't started public school yet. Something like this will save a lot of headache.

    Hugs,
    Melinda

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says

    July 26, 2010 at 7:26 pm

    That is such a fun idea, I love this! Thanks so much for the great project, I'll be linking.

    Reply
  9. Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife says

    July 24, 2010 at 2:15 pm

    That's such a cute idea! I'll have to do it when my son is a tad bit older!

    Reply
  10. Anu@My Dream Canvas says

    July 23, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    Very cute………I am hosting a CSN Giveaway on my blog. I would love for you to stop by.

    Reply
  11. Threeundertwo says

    July 23, 2010 at 5:59 pm

    What a great idea! You're a smart mom. And I agree, it's a lot less painful to spread out the back-to-school shopping and prep. My kids start back Aug. 12, which seems insanely early to me.

    Thanks for linking up to Finished for Friday!

    Reply
  12. jennoreilly says

    July 23, 2010 at 2:51 pm

    Love this idea, my kids are still too young but I remember this happening to me when I was a kid so I think in a few years this will be on my to do list!

    New follower from Tidy Mom, happy weekend!

    Reply
  13. Helena says

    July 23, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    This is adorable. I love the bright colors you chose!

    Thank you for participating in the Therapy Session with Life in the Pitts!

    Reply
  14. Sassy Sites! says

    July 22, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    VERY CUTE!! I'm a follower! Come by and say hi at Sassy Sites! ;)

    Reply
  15. Erin says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:31 am

    Okay, this is super cute!!! Very clever!

    http://www.makingmemorieswithyourkids.blogspot.com

    Reply
  16. Michelle says

    July 21, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    I love this! We have the same issue at our house, so this will definitely be put to use in the fall. Thanks for posting this!

    Reply
  17. Sandy@PrettyNiceThing says

    July 21, 2010 at 5:40 pm

    What a great idea, definitely will use this for our school area this coming school year.

    Reply
  18. malia says

    July 21, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    great idea! i hear what you're saying about school supplies. i spent an hour in target last night looking for everything and it occurred to me it's July 20th! i don't even want to think about school yet. last year i waited until august and couldn't find everything… lol

    Reply
  19. The Pennington Point says

    July 21, 2010 at 1:25 pm

    Hi Amanda! Thanks for letting me know about Craft Gossip and their new Home and Garden category. I will be doing a follow up on my floor (I've gotten tons of questions) and I will definitely link over to CG. What a great idea to put it all in one place and you've got a great group of editors. Amazing! Lisa~

    Reply
  20. Amanda says

    July 21, 2010 at 11:35 am

    Thank you for the kind comments everyone!

    Jessica – love that idea, and yours is probably sturdier than mine! :)

    Reply
  21. Jessica says

    July 21, 2010 at 9:05 am

    I think this was a real thoughtful idea. I couldn't find a shirt shaped plaque (and I am sure any shape would have worked), but I thought the original shape suited the project. So I brought molding clay (the kind you need to bake) and shaped it myself, then poked holes before baking, and after I painted it I threaded thick twine through my holes. It turned out great, so thanks for inspiring!

    Reply
  22. Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says

    July 20, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    So cute! You always have great ideas!

    Reply
  23. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming says

    July 20, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Amanda, This is such a cute idea! Love it. The stripes are adorable. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase. Hope you have a wonderful week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

    Reply
  24. Jacqueline says

    July 20, 2010 at 2:02 am

    This is so cute. I know my little ones would have loved something like this. Your painting is really cute. So nice to meet you.

    Reply
  25. muralimanohar says

    July 19, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Brilliant! :D I was homeschooled, so it wasn't an issue for my mom, usually being done with everything by the time they all came out, but my FRIENDS' moms sure could have used one! Rofl

    Reply
  26. Jenglamgirl says

    July 19, 2010 at 5:50 pm

    These back to school shirt hangers are so darling and clever.

    also Thank you so much, let me know when its all working, also I subscribed to Craft Gossip. Is that what you were referring too? Have a super day! Jenn

    Reply
  27. Rose :: FineCraftGuild.com says

    July 19, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    great tutorial, lovely back-to-school project.

    i am inviting you to link it up at our DIY TUTORIAL linky party http://www.finecraftguild.com/diy-tutorial-linky-party-6/
    so our readers can find you and your blog!

    weekly linky, so you can come back every week with some tutorials and we’d love to feature you!

    Reply
  28. Amanda@The Hand Me Down House says

    July 19, 2010 at 1:36 pm

    Okay, well how cute is that!!?! Adorable! I love this idea – so practical!! :)

    Reply
  29. Christine says

    July 19, 2010 at 1:15 pm

    Very cute and useful idea…a creative variation on the audio loop we all replay- if you will!

    Reply
  30. BlueCat says

    July 19, 2010 at 9:03 am

    Great idea! I'll probably use it in my classroom. Thanks.

    Reply
  31. Staci J says

    July 19, 2010 at 3:37 am

    That is sooo clever!! I'm saving this for when my little ones start school… visiting from tools are for women.
    justsewsassy.com

    Reply
  32. Sue Sparks says

    July 19, 2010 at 2:57 am

    What an adorable and practical idea! I love it!

    Reply
  33. Christin@Pregnant with power tools says

    July 19, 2010 at 2:27 am

    Wow! So many great ideas! I can't wait to do some with my little preschooler!

    Reply
  34. Amazing_Grace says

    July 18, 2010 at 1:55 pm

    Great idea!!!! Thanks for posting! :)

    Reply
  35. creativejewishmom/Sara says

    July 18, 2010 at 5:51 am

    Great, as usual Amanda! Thanks so much for stopping by Craft Schooling Sunday, you're one of the stars of the party! all the best!

    Reply
  36. Chica and Jo says

    July 18, 2010 at 4:39 am

    What a wonderful idea. I have been thinking of something to let people know when we are all outside, which is often.

    Reply
  37. Dawn says

    July 18, 2010 at 2:19 am

    I think this is a wonderful idea and I'm definitely going to use it when Madelyn starts school. So glad you posted this. =)

    Reply

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