how to make a paper school bus

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Paper School Bus Craft for Preschoolers (Free Printable!)

Looking for a Back to School Craft?  This Paper School Bus Craft for Preschoolers is super easy with the free printable school bus template!  

Can you believe it’s nearly back to school season?  With that in mind, I’ve been prepping some fun Back to School crafts.  

This paper school bus is particularly fun because the wheels move with the help of a paper fastener (brad).  I love that it’s super simple as well.  

These little school bus papercrafts would make a great first week of school activity or a cute bulletin board for the new school year.

You could also use these fun crafts for a transportation unit or a letter B craft.

Alright!  Let’s get started on these little school buses!

Supplies need for Easy School Bus Craft

For this printable school bus craft for kids you will need the following craft supplies:

** Disclaimer: As an Etsy associate and as an Amazon.com Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases made by readers clicking my affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

– The Free Printable School Bus Craft template – found in this article.  If you print it on cardstock, it will be more durable.

– Crayons or colored pencils – we love the Crayola brand!

– Blunt tip scissors – I recommend these Child Safe scissors by Fiskars

– Paper Fasteners (brads) – 2 per bus.

How to make an Easy Paper School Bus Craft

First, print your bus onto white paper (or cardstock if you want it to be more durable).

​Provide your child with crayons or colored pencils.  Put those fine motor skills to work!

Your child might like to draw a bus driver or some kids looking through the school bus windows.

If you are looking for a traditional looking bus, you might like to remind them what color the bus is…..or you can let them go wild with creativity and color the bus whichever colors they like.

Do what you like!

Once they have colored both the bus and the two wheels, give each child a pair of child safe scissors. 

Have each child cut out both wheels and the bus. 

Next, we will attach the wheels to the paper bus craft.  

Poke a hole with your brad into the middle of the wheel, then poke the brad into the middle of the wheel hub area of the bus.  

Then flatten the back of the brad.

The wheels will move! My kids loved turning the wheels of the bus and singing The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.

If you use cardstock – poking the hole with the brad is a little trickier.

I recommend using a tack or something sharp to poke a hole to make this process go more smoothly.

(Of course, for safety reasons, an adult needs to do this instead of the child.)

I hope your kids enjoy making their own school bus craft!

More Back to School Activities

Looking for more ideas and kids’ crafts for the first days of school?

There’s some free printable Back to School Coloring Pages here.  Each page features school supplies and is personalized for grades Preschool through 3rd grade. Perfect for a Meet the Teacher event or the First Day of School.

You can find some First Day of School activities here including great craft ideas and printables.  You’re sure to find a fun project your kids will enjoy!

There’s an adorable First Day of School Worksheet here. Young children can share a little about themselves in an easy way – through drawing!

Need more?  There’s plenty of Free First Day of Preschool Printables here.  Lots of fun ideas for preschool age kids!

Don’t forget about those first day of school pics!  Find the perfect First Day of School sign here.  There’s both printables and fun chalkboard style signs!  Such a fun way to take those keepsake photos!

Grab the School Bus Printable Template

Ready to make the Easy Paper School Bus Printable Craft?  Kids will have so much fun!

You can grab the Easy School Bus Paper Craft template by clicking the black download button below.

Get the Bus Craft printable pdf here:

Want to save this Back to School time Bus Craft for later?  Pin the image below to your Fun Crafts for Kids board on Pinterest.

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School Bus Craft (school bus template included)

School bus craft supplies:

• Paper (yellow, grey, blue, red, black)
• photographs (optional)

School Bus Craft Instructions:

Step 1: gather your supplies, step 2: cut out bus template.

STEP 3: Assemble bus craft

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Easy Shape School Bus Craft for Kids

July 23, 2019 by Selena Robinson 1 Comment

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I know it’s still technically summer, but school in our area starts next week, so we’re fully in the back to school spirit around here.

And that means school shopping, open house events, and weeknight meal planning – all of which I’ve been frantically doing for the last couple of days.

Our kids are pretty excited about school this year (so far), but if you have little ones who are…less than enthusiastic about going back to school, a fun way to get them in the mood is to make a cute back to school craft.

Which is where this easy shape school bus craft for kids might come in handy!

This is such a simple way to start getting kids to think about school and learning for the new school year!

Read on to see how to make this for yourself. And for more fun with kids’ crafts, take a look at our easy Ladybug Paper Craft !

To make this easy shape school bus craft for kids, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

• A copy of our printable school bus craft template
• Printer (with ink)
• Printer Paper
• Ballpoint pen

To start, print out the school bus craft template. Since the template already has colored shapes, you can just print and get started without having kids color it in.

Use scissors to cut out all of the shapes on the template. (If your child is cutting the shapes out, be sure to use child-safe scissors .)

To make the school bus, begin adding the blue squares and rectangles to the yellow rectangle.

Glue them down. Place the blue rectangular piece second in line to serve as the “door” of the bus.

Next, glue the gray small circles onto the center of the larger black circles. These are the bus’s “tires”. Glue those on the bottom edge of the yellow rectangle.

Add the half circle and triangle shapes to each end of the bus as the vehicle’s lights. Glue those in place.

Finally, use an ink pen to trace the outline of each window and door and you’re done!

The blue bus would make a great craft for a transportation unit, because you could talk about public buses and how they serve the community.

And, since all of the bus template pieces are basic shapes, this would be a wonderful craft for a shapes lesson too!

Don’t miss these other easy kids’ crafts!

Be sure to follow my Simple Crafts for Kids board on Pinterest!

[…] Shape School Bus from lookwerelearning.com: Working with simple shapes is an easy way for kids to practice beginner cutting skills and shape recognition. Assemble this cute little bus with rectangles, squares, and circles. […]

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Paper Loop School Bus

No matter how school may look this year, there are still some classic images of those back to school milestones. One of which is the school bus, whether we get to ride it or not. If your kids are ready to get on that bus, bring it to life with our Paper Loop School Bus Craft !

Who’s ready to get back to school? I think that question might usually be met with a few groans, but I think we’re all ready to go back these days. Whether we actually get to or not, that’s still the question. Until then, we make the most of the time we have.

If you’re looking for some more fun back to school craft ideas, you’re in luck! We have plenty to see, like our Apple Paper Photo Frame for those first day pictures, this Jumbo Craft Stick Pencil Craft , our Craft Stick Chalkboard Easels , and our Cardboard Roll Desk Cubby .

To make our Paper Loop School Bus you will need cardstock in grey or silver, as well as construction paper in yellow and black, markers in yellow, red, light blue, and white, a 1” hole punch, a stapler, scissors, and a glue stick .

Make a Paper Loop School Bus

Supplies needed:

• Cardstock – grey, silver
• Paper – yellow, black
• Markers – yellow, red, light blue, white
• 1” hole punch

Begin by cutting a yellow strip for the bus.

To get the right size, simply cut the yellow paper in thirds in the widest direction.

Also cut your grey or silver cardstock base in half.

Draw a small rectangle with red marker on the back edge toward the center of the yellow strip. Make a light blue rectangle on the opposite edge, directly across from it, to make lights.

Now roll your loop and staple in place.

Punch 2 holes from the black paper with the 1” hole punch. Glue just the tops of the circles under the lights as shown above.

Draw a road design on the grey or silver cardstock. Depending on the road color used, use either white or yellow.

Position the loop on the road with the wheels resting on the page. Staple in place.

Next, cut 4 small squares, a rectangle, and a strip from the black paper.

Glue the rectangle for the door.

And glue the windows in place.

Finally, write your bus number or as we did, school #1, on the black strip with the white marker.

Glue in place under the windows.

We love how these paper loop crafts just pop off the page!

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more craft videos!

Be sure to also see our Paper Loop Pufferfish and our Paper Loop Sharks , too. Then, check out more of our back to school crafts for kids at Our Kid Things!

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School Bus Craft For Kids

Celebrate back to school with this fun and easy School Bus craft that is sure to get the kids excited. This is great for the start of a new school year.

The start of school is an exciting time and this school bus craft is one that we are sure the kids will love. With just a few supplies you like craft sticks and paper, these easy crafts are sure to get them excited for the start of the school year this Fall .

Are your kids ready for school time? No? Mine neither. But we have to prepare them so better now than later. Right?

I started preparing my kids for school season a few days ago. I tried storytelling, roleplays, crafting, and reasoning. Guess what worked the best? Yes! Crafting.

We did a lot of school crafts. They were all so much fun and kept the kids busy while I looked up lunchbox ideas.

So, if you're still struggling, try this easy school bus craft. I'm sure you and the kids will enjoy it.

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Importance of Crafting

I can't emphasize enough the importance of crafting. It helps sharpen fine motor skills, teaches kids patience, and gives them plenty of joy.

Crafting is also a fun way to bond with kids. Watch them draw haphazardly, observe them as they try to color within the lines, and watch their eyes gleam with pride when they finish their masterpieces.

There's more; crafting is a great way to encourage kids to imagine and create out of the ordinary. It allows them to express themselves without feeling judged. If you are new to crafting, I urge you to give it a try.

Don't miss our full list of Popsicle Stick Crafts !

Why Make This School Bus Craft

This is an easy craft that's for everyone. Young kids can assemble craft sticks to make the bus or trace over dotted lines to make cutouts. Older kids can draw detailed patterns or have fun with color combinations.

It's also an easy way to teach kids about transportation and different professions. They can learn the purpose of school buses and how the system operates. You can also tell them the right way to interact with the bus driver and the importance of punctuality.

Ways to Decorate This Cute School Bus Craft

We are making this craft using popsicle sticks. If you only have the boring brown ones, here are a few fun ways to decorate this craft.

• Use yellow paint to give the bus a nice sunny look.
• Make creative bus wheels using colorful cardstock.
• Use fabric to make the windows and seats of the bus.
• Glue tiny foam shapes like stars and hearts to the bus's exterior.

If you want to do an extended fun project, create a 3D school scene. Make a road using black construction paper, stick sticks behind school buses, and insert them in the middle of the road. You can also add a school bus sign, a stop sign, and tiny figurines for school kids. Your kids will have lots of fun doing this.

Ways to Use This School Bus Craft

None of us want our kids' hard work to go to waste. So, if you're thinking of ways to utilize this craft, here are some cool ideas:

• Send these to the teachers so they can use them for classroom decoration at the beginning of the school year.
• Make it a cute keepsake by pasting small photos of your children inside the bus windows.
• Make a keychain out of this craft and give it as a gift to your kids' friends.
• Use these as a decorative piece for a themed party.
• Have a lot of fun using it as a school bus toy.

Similar School Bus Craft Ideas

I'm sure the kids will want to do this craft again and again. If you want to keep things fun, try out the following variations:

Back to School Coloring Pages

Bus Color Page

Drawing School

Popsicle Stick Bus Supplies

• Popsicle sticks
• White Construction Paper
• Black Construction Paper
• Craft Glue or Hot Glue Gun with Glue Stick

How To Make School Bus Craft

Start with two of the jumbo craft sticks and the scissors.

Carefully cut two craft sticks removing one-third from one side of the stick.

The next step is to take two more popsicle sticks and cut each end down to a length slightly shorter than the height of 5 popsicle sticks

Place three full popsicle sticks on top of each other. Then add the two sticks you cut one side off of on top of those lining the curved ends of the craft sticks together. Glue the two popsicle sticks that you cut both ends off across those five craft sticks which will hold them all together.

Flip your sticks over and you have the base of your school bus.

Next, grab your black piece of paper and the scissors.

Cut one thin strip, three squares, and two circles. Then cut a half-arch shape similar to the size of one craft stick.

Then grab a piece of white

Cute two circles slightly smaller than the black circles you cut out earlier.

Glue the white circles on top of the black circles.

Glue the three squares to the top two crafts sticks. These are the school bus windows. Glue the long paper strip in between the third and fourth craft sticks. Cut the ends of the length of the bus outline. Place the arched to the front end of the third stick. Then glue the wheels to the bottom of the bus.

Grab your black marker.

Draw spokes on the black circle wheel and small circles in the middle. Viola, you have your own bus.

We highlighted this  Back to School Craft  along with some other fun kid's crafts in our  September Crafts  along with our 101+ Easy Kids Crafts .

Other Fun Crafts For Back to School

• First Days of School Bingo
• All About Me Worksheet
• Back to School Printables
• Abacus for Kids
• No Sew Reusable Snack Bag
• Pencil Craft

Get creative with our Popsicle stick school bus craft! Easy and fun DIY project for kids to build their own school bus. Let's craft and play!

• Black Marker

Instructions

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DIY School Bus from a Recycled Box

August 13, 2020 by Lucy 7 Comments

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How to Make a Little DIY School Bus from a Recycled Box

Did you ride the school bus when you were little? I did for most of my school years. I also remember that I didn't like it for the most part. But times are different now and I'm more nostalgic about the school bus. One of my friends told me that her young pre-school children get excited when they see a school bus. So of course, that means that I designed a DIY School Bus for you to make.

The DIY School Bus is design no. 90 in the August 2020 section of the free Paper Glitter Glue library.

It's another paper project in the recycled box series using a pasta box . I am so tickled about how it turned out. What do you think?

So the pasta box forms the underlying structure for the bus with cardboard reinforcements on each side. Then the cover the cardboard layer with colored card stock to complete your little bus. Here's how to make it.

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. That means if you make a purchase after clicking an affiliate link, I earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more. Click here to read my full disclosure policy .

Materials to make the DIY School Bus Recycled Box

• School Bus Pattern (design no. 90) from the Paper Glitter Glue library
• Pasta box (empty pasta box, that is)
• Cardboard (this is what I use )
• PVA glue - I used Aleene's Fast Grab and Art Glitter Glue
• Masking tape
• Painter's tape
• 65# Colored card stock - yellow, black, red
• Black gesso prime r
• Silver paint or silver paper for hubcaps and headlights
• Craft knife
• A way to cut out the pattern - I used my Cricut to cut everything out

Summary of steps to make the DIY School Bus

• Open recycled pasta box
• Cut out cardboard bus shapes and card stock for the bus - Design No. 90
• Trace bus windows and door openings on the pasta box

Cut out window and door openings

Use glue and masking tape to form the bus shape on pasta box, glue cardboard school bus shape to each side of the pasta box, paint the edges of the bus with black gesso.

• Prepare the card stock for the bus
• Adhere the card stock to the school bus
• Make wheels
• Glue wheels to the bus using to score lines to line up wheels

Related Links - Recycled Boxes

• Dollhouse from a Recycled Box
• Miniature Barn from a Recycled Box

First, open the recycled pasta box

When you open the box, be sure to save the tab on the side to glue it back together. You can see it on the left side below.

Oh, I bought lots of different types of pasta to check out the size of the boxes. Almost every box has front dimensions of 5 inches across and 7.5 inches high. The thing that varies is the depth of the box. Most of the boxes are 2.5 inches deep - that's what this pattern is based on. But you can pretty easily resize the side pieces if needed.

Next, cut out cardboard bus shapes and card stock for the bus

To get the school bus pattern, just type in the password to get access to the library. If you don't have the password, just subscribe to my newsletter and you will get the password right away. Use the form below to subscribe.

Here's the pattern in Cricut's Design Space (which is the software I use to cut out my projects).

The two important sets of score lines - one for the door and 3 lines to help you make the front of the bus. Those are the most important score lines you need to change from cut to score and attach to the designated piece in Cricut's Design Space. But there is also a score line on the wheel which is used as a marker for gluing the wheel to the body of the bus. I'll show you that in a minute.

See the close-up of the score line for the door opening.

And here is a close-up of the score lines for the front of the bus.

So the next score lines are lines on the bus wheels. Why do the wheels need score lines? Just to make it easier to glue to the bus. If you line up the bottom of the box with the score lines, each wheel will be level and the bus won't be crooked when standing up. More on that during the construction of the bus.

Also, cut out 12 wheels to glue 3 together. That makes your wheels sturdy.

In summary, here are the pieces you need to cut out of cardboard:

Next, trace bus windows and door openings on the pasta box

For this step, use your craft knife to cut these openings. You don't have to be very precise because the cardboard pieces will cover them up. Also, cut the opening slightly larger than the windows.

In addition, cut out the front curved bus front and the windows on front and back of the bus.

The only tricky part is making the curve on the front of the bus. Use glue and masking tape to make the shape. But the nice thing is that even if it's not perfect, the underlying structure won't show because it is painted black.

Now, I know the box looks kind of sloppy, but it will be fine when we paint the box black and add the overlying cardboard and card stock layers.

For this step, I use my favorite glue, Aleene's Fast Grab, to hold the cardboard on the box. But I also temporarily hold the cardboard in place with painter's tape until the glue sets. After the glue is dry, I pull the blue painter's tape off.

Note: I didn't make a cardboard piece for the bottom of the bus. Also there is a piece for the top of the bus that you can cut out in cardboard and card stock, but the top of the bus doesn't really need a cardboard piece for reinforcement.

In order to make the edges look like shadows or black striping on the edge of the bus, prime them with black gesso.

To reinforce the door, the pattern also includes a separate door to cut out in cardboard and in yellow card stock.

Be sure to paint the bottom of the bus, too.

Next, prepare the card stock for the bus

Below you see all the pieces to decorate the bus. Note: I didn't cut card stock for the wheels. I painted them with black gesso.

To prepare the card stock, cut out all the pieces in the appropriate colors. Then glue the white hexagon behind the stop sign, red card stock behind the lights on the back. And all the school bus cutouts have black card stock backing. Use silver paper if you want to make head lights or silver hubcaps. 

Make the door by adhering the card stock cut out to the black painted cardboard door.

Adhere the decorated card stock to the school bus body

Art Glitter Glue is a thinner glue that works well to adhere the card stock to each side of the box. If you smear it into a flat layer, the paper will adhere flatter with few wrinkles.

Finish the door by adhering the card stock door to the black painted cardboard door on the body of the school bus.

After the yellow card stock bus and all the signs are adhered to the bus, glue the door on.

Make the wheels on the bus

To make the wheels, cut out 12 wheels in cardboard. Glue 3 wheels together to make them sturdy enough to support the bus. Paint the wheels black. I guess you could use card stock on top of the cardboard, but I just like the deep black color of the gesso primer. And since I had to paint the body of the bus anyway, might as well paint the wheels black too.

Glue wheels to the bus using to score lines to line up wheels with the bottom of the bus. You might have to re-score the lines after painting just to make the lines a little easier to see.

Apply the glue to the top part of the wheel.

Now adhere the wheels on the bus.

If the score lines are lined up properly, then the bus will be level when you stand it up.

So that's it - the DIY School Bus from a recycled pasta box. It's easy and fun and kids will love it.

Let me know if you make it. You can share any of your paper projects on my private Facebook group just for paper crafts. I love to see what you make. And be sure to pin any of the photos on your favorite Pinterest boards. Thank you for reading.

More back to school crafts that you might like:

• The Little Red Schoolhouse
• DIY Cricut Teacher Pencil Earrings by my friend, Amy Romeu
• DIY Teacher Gifts by Abbi Kirsten

Questions? Just email me - [email protected] and I will be glad to help.

Reader Interactions

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August 16, 2020 at 3:55 am

The bus is so cute!!

I vote for the stone house for the habitat project!

August 16, 2020 at 4:49 am

Iris, I am so glad you like the little bus.

And thank you for voting for this year's Habitat House pattern.

Lara Hartley

August 14, 2020 at 2:54 am

well i thought i said this already but here goes again - NEAT LITTLE BUS! a very cool and creative design lucy. i am so envious of your ability to create from scratch.

August 14, 2020 at 3:52 am

You did comment, but I always approve comments. That's why you couldn't see it.

Thank you so much.Lucy

August 14, 2020 at 2:52 am

this little bus is just too cute! what a neat design lucy.

Jan Southern

August 13, 2020 at 2:23 pm

I like the Stone house with the three gables best. I vote for it.

August 13, 2020 at 2:27 pm

Thank you for voting on the 2020 Habitat Halloween House.

You are welcome to link to PaperGlitterGlue.com or use a single image with a brief description and a link back to any post. Do not republish any post. That's not allowed. But I do like it when you share my photos to Pinterest.

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Easy Paper Plate Bus Craft for Kids

Categories Arts and Crafts

Kids of all ages will love this easy craft idea. Make a Paper Plate Bus Craft with your little kids, it’s the perfect way to get them excited about the first days of school.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

More Transport Themed Arts and Crafts to Try

If you love a fun craft that explores marvelous machines, then check out these other transportation themed crafts. Perfect for kids of any age who are looking for a fun way to get creative.

Black Glue Hot Air Balloon

Traffic Light Silhouette Art

• Car Painting
• Craft Stick School Bus
• Tissue Box School Bus Craft

For more ideas, check out these 60 Transportation Arts and Crafts for Kids .

Materials Needed

• Paper plate
• Yellow, black, red, white and blue paint (or paint pens)

How to Make A Paper Plate Bus Craft

1. paint half of the paper plate yellow..

If you don’t have any paper plates on hand, you can always use yellow construction paper instead. Or maybe glue yellow tissue paper to make your own school bus. 

2. Paint two black circles on the other half of the paper plate.

Once again, you can use black construction paper for this step if you prefer.

3. Cut out the painted sections.

Use a pair of scissors to cut down the middle of the paper plate, and cut out the black circle shapes. 

Scissors are an easy way to help young children develop fine motor skills through play.

4. Glue the black circles to the bottom of the paper plate.

You can use glue or double sided adhesive tape to attach the wheels of your school buses to the yellow school bus shapes.

5. Use a black paint pen to draw the windows and school bus signs.

Draw the school bus windows using a black paint pen, black marker or with regular black paint and a paintbrush.

I personally love my paint pens over anything else. They’re so easy to use, don’t require any cleaning up afterwards, and they don’t get damaged when drawing on acrylic paint the way black markers do.

6. Draw a brake light.

Use a red paint pen to draw a small semi circle on one end of your paper plate school bus craft. This will end up being the brake light that belongs on the back of the bus.

If you don’t have any red paint, feel free to skip this step altogether.

7. Make the spokes on the wheels.

I used my white paint pen to draw the details on the bus wheels. Once again, you can either use regular white paint or skip this step completely if you want to.

8. Paint the windows blue.

I kept my bus simple, but I love the idea of painting a school bus driver in the front window. Or getting my kids to paint a picture of themselves sitting in the bus and waving out of the windows. 

You may love this idea if your kids are going to be getting on their local school bus for the first time this new school year.

9. Let it dry.

Once you’ve finished decorating your fun school bus craft, all you have to do is let the paint dry.

Are you going to make this Paper Plate Bus Craft with your kids? Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.

More Play Based Learning for Kids

Transportation Activities for Kids

Arts and Crafts for Kids

Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon

14 Transportation Fingerprint Art

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School Bus Template – Paper Toy or Gift Box!

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This beautiful school bus template comes in both SVG cut files and PDF printables to use as a gift box or paper toy! When you’re done, try these back to school bookmarks too. This post contains affiliate links.

Eons ago, I designed a school bus treat box for my school-bus-obsessed nephew’s birthday party. Time has passed… and while you can still download that one for free, I decided to update that one and offer an SVG as well as more assembly-friendly options for you to use!

Get the school bus template

Ways to use it, if you haven’t yet, you can get the template here, what you’ll need, putting it together.

Just like the original, this school bus template has fun details like separate wheels that spin and an opening to add in gifts. I wanted to keep it as simple to assemble and as paper-friendly as possible and it was designed that way.

I also added in a fun detail: a fold-out stop sign.

To make this so much better, this school bus is a premium template. It’s available for purchas e in my site shop and on Etsy (for international buyers).

Your download includes:

• An SVG cut file file (including score lines) for machine cutting
• A transparent-background PNG that’ll work for Print then Cut, or to format as you’d like. You can use this along with the score lines in the SVG if you want an easy assembly that’s ready-to-go.
• A printable PDF to cut out and assemble.
• A PDF template to trace onto colored papers to cut out and assemble.
• PDF Instructions for each file type

Favorite ways to use and assemble your school bus template

When designing this box, I wanted to keep it as versatile and as easy to assemble as possible while still making it somewhat interactive. To do that, I made the wheels separate. I attached them with brad pins so that they can spin.

You can definitely just glue them right on to make things more basic!

You can also substitute buttons or some other fun element as wheels.

The stop sign is attached with a tab to fold out. You can also snip off the tab and glue the stop sign right on!

Add text if you’d like!

If you’re using your school bus template as a gift box, you can add a message right on! Do this by cutting letters out on your Cricut, use alphabet stickers , or attach “draw” text to your Cricut template. You can edit the PNG in photo editing apps and overlay text on that.

If using stickers, write out your text. Cut it out around the words. Fold the paper in half to find the center point. Measure the center of where you’re placing text, and, following your written guide, place letters using tweezers and starting in the center to make it even.

Of course, you can write on it too!

The original school bus template was designed as a party favor box, to fill with treats or prizes. However, I’ve since used it as a “tip box.” I simply rolled up the cash tip designated for my kids’ bus drivers and placed it inside. It’s a cute way to gift cash!

You can make it large enough to fit a gift card. Stuff it with chocolates to accompany cash or gift cards.

We’ve also enjoyed using these as paper toys – yes, the kids can simply play with them! Simply glue the lid shut instead of leaving it to open and close.

I’ve also stuffed them with treats for the kids on the first day of school!

If you have more ideas, simply drop a comment at the end of this post.

Assembling the school bus template

Assembly focuses on the cut-and-glue version, however you’ll find instructions for folding the final box too!

• Cardstock in yellow, black, red, and white – OR good quality white printer cardstock if using a printable version.
• Glue (I used tacky glue)
• Glue lines/ double sided tape
• Recommended: Tweezers

For hand cutting:

• Recommended: stiff ruler
• Scoring tool

For Cricut cutting:

• Cricut cutting machine – I used my Maker 3
• LightGrip mat
• Fine Point Blade
• Scoring Wheel (for Maker machines) or Scoring Stylus (for Explore machines)
• Recommneded: Brayer for adhering your materials well to the mat

1. Cut out and score your parts using your cutting machine or by hand. If machine cutting, load your scoring tool for the score lines.

Note, any photos taken here were taken on an earlier prototype – some improvements were made to the template after, so please allow for a few discrepancies!

Try to keep track of your black parts as much as possible – I recommend cutting those last and removing them from the mat as you work, however, you can also simply follow the final photo (or print the printable PDF) as a reference to see where it goes.

2. Glue on the two side driver windows so that the angle aligns with the front of the bus angle.

3. Glue on the front windshield. Glue the driver’s door right below one window. Your copy will have a hole for wheel placement – make sure to align it with the hole on your bus base.

4. Glue your top windows – those are the narrower ones. Use the top edge of the drier window as a guide and align them along the top. Space them evenly apart between the driver window and the end of that side of the bus.

5. Glue the rest of the window right below it, aligning the bottoms with the bottom of the driver window. You may find that lining it up with a ruler helps.

6. Glue two white lines on either side right below the passenger windows.

7. Fold back the tab on the stop sign..

8. Glue it in place on the side without the driver door, so that it folds back toward the passenger windows.

9. Glue the four red circles to the back of the bus, and the two white to the front bottom panel.

10. Glue your black circles on the yellow ones so that the holes align.

11. Place glue lines on all your flaps – besides the back cover flap. Leave the backing in place.

12. Prefold your bus along the score lines to make assembly easier. They are all mountain folds, except for the part right below the windshield, which is a valley fold (it’s easy to fix as you assemble if you get that wrong).

13. Insert the brads into your wheels. Thread that through the holes. The holes were made on the smaller end of things to make it more versatile with which brads you can use, but all you need is the starter to just thread your brad through.

14. Open them on the back of the school bus template, making sure that they don’t cross over the folds (place the tails parallel to the fold).

15. Remove the backing from the tape the front of the bus. Connect the flaps with the corresponding portion of the side of the bus – the front portion.

16. Repeat this on the other side of the front of the bus.

17. Connect the bottom portion of the bus in front to the front of the bus right below the headlights.

18. The trickiest part is the last: connect the long side of your school bus template along the side and bottom. If your bus is large enough, place pressure from the inside using your hand. Otherwise, slightly pinch it to secure.

19. Finally, close the back of your bus lid! Yours will work better than this photo as this was a prototype and I trimmed down your version.

Your school bus template is complete!

If you haven’t yet, you can download it here.

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