Aug 14, 2011 3 min read

(ARA) – Transitioning from sunny afternoons at the pool to long days in a classroom isn’t easy for some children, especially when it’s still nice outside. But if you involve your kids in a few simple projects that stimulate learning and creativity, you can get them excited about the new school year.

“Most kids love to express their creativity, and what better way than to get them involved in projects that make learning fun,” says Angie Stinner, Rust-Oleum design expert and blogger. “There are lots of easy, inexpensive projects parents and children can do together that can prepare them for the routine of homework and make them look forward to going back to school.”

Here are three fun project ideas that can help ease your child into the new school year.

All around the world

Create a blank chalkboard globe to challenge their geography knowledge. Purchase a used globe at your local thrift store, from an online retailer like Amazon or eBay, or use one you already have in your home. Paint the surface using Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Paint. It comes in a variety of colors – like traditional Black, Grape Fizz and Periwinkle – double the fun by letting your kids select the color. After it’s dry, give them some chalk and ask them to draw the continents. You can alter the difficulty level for younger children by drawing in a continent or two as a starting point. They’ll love showing you how much they already know and will actually look forward to learning more.

Create a homework hot spot

If it’s a daily struggle to get your kids to sit down and focus on homework, why not upcycle an old desk or table to create a designated homework hot spot? They’ll love creating their very own “office” to get their schoolwork done.

Rejuvenate an old wood desk or table with an easy-to-use wood stain like Rust-Oleum Ultimate Interior Wood stain. Its one-coat coverage and fast dry time means projects can be completed 75 percent faster than with traditional wood stains. Finish their “new” wood desk or table with a durable finish like Ultimate Interior Polyurethane for a homework hotspot that will last for years.

If the old desk or table is metal, wicker or plastic, you can make it look brand new with a spray paint like Universal. It can be used on any surface and comes in a variety of colors and finishes so let your child’s inner artist choose the look they like best.

Help keep them organized

To keep schoolwork organized, put a file cabinet in your kids’ room to file their A-plus work and other important papers. Instead of using stickers to label what’s in each drawer, paint the cabinet with a chalkboard paint or Rust-Oleum Dry Erase Paint. You can write directly on the surface so the file cabinet can also serve as a calendar, message board or to-do list. It also gives your kids a place to write down homework assignments so they can easily keep track of when they are due.

Visit Facebook.com/Paintideas for additional inspiring and creative “back to school” projects.