Kids are more likely to be enthusiastic about schoolwork when there is a specific place for them to do their homework. Set up one of these fun-looking portable homework stations in your child's bedroom so they can keep all their school supplies and notes in one place.

This is the perfect project for a tween or preteen to do on his/her own, but a younger kid can assemble his or hers with the help of an adult.

Check out all of our back-to-school ideas including more crafts, great lunch recipes and fun printable activities. We've also got great educational tips for parents.

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Paint the border of the corkboard with 1-2 coats of gesso and let dry.
2. When dry, paint the border with white paint. Add a second coat if needed.
3. Spray border with acrylic sealer spray and let dry (see image). 
4. Meanwhile, measure the corkboard section by laying pieces of paper over the cork area. Trim to fit and then tape the pieces of paper together where needed. This will serve as a pattern for cutting your fabric.
5. Lay your fabric, wrong side up, on a clean work surface. Lay your paper pattern onto fabric and use a pencil or chalk to lightly trace around the paper. Cut out the traced piece.
6. If necessary, iron out any creases in your fabric. Set fabric aside.
7. Cut one piece of felt into a 6.5” x 5.5” rectangle and another piece into a 5” x 4.5” rectangle.
8. Place the smaller piece of felt on top of the larger piece. Position so that the bottom and two sides have the same amount of space showing (approximately ¾”), the top should have more felt showing from underneath (see image). 
9. Using felt glue, attach the smaller piece to the larger piece.
10. Glue the top section of the larger piece of felt onto the smaller piece of felt by folding it down toward you. This creates the top flap of the pencil pocket. Set aside to dry (see image). 
11.  Using alphabet cookie cutters to trace child’s name onto felt using pencil. Cut out the letters (see image). 
12. Place the cork board onto the work surface. Place the fabric face up on top of the cork. Use a strong craft glue (such as E-6000 Craft Adhesive) to attach the edges, corners and the middle of the fabric to the cork.
13.  Have an adult use a craft knife to either trim the edges or tuck them under the wood border (see image). 
14. Pipe white craft glue along the edges of the fabric next to the wood border. Line the glue with ribbon to cover up any edges or fabric fray (see image). 
15. Turn the felt pencil pocket upside down and line the bottom and sides with glue. Do not put glue across the top, this is the opening of your pencil pocket. Glue the pocket to the fabric cork board (see image).
16. Glue the fabric letters to the fabric cork board and let everything dry before hanging.

Tips:

• E-6000 and felt glue are both available from craft supply stores. White craft glue can be used in place of both, however white craft glue has a tendency to soak into felt and may require multiple applications.
• A butter knife can be used in place of a craft knife to tuck fabric edges under the wood border.
• Liquid gesso is a craft medium that will help paint adhere and will eliminate the possibility of paint flaking off.