Keeping desks organized and fostering creativity are both important goals for kids! One way to achieve both is with a fun and personalized pencil holder.
Not only will a DIY project keep them entertained, but the finished product will also be a source of pride and help them stay tidy.
This collection offers 26 creative DIY pencil holder ideas for kids, suitable for various ages and skill levels.
Recycled & Repurposed Crafts:
Tin Can Transformation:
Clean empty tin cans (soup cans, coffee cans) are perfect for this! Paint them in bright colors or funky patterns. Add a touch of personality with washi tape, stickers, or even fabric scraps glued on.
Cardboard Tube Extravaganza:
Cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels get a new lease on life. Decorate them with construction paper, paint, or markers. You can even combine multiple tubes by gluing them together to create a multi-compartment holder.
Milk Carton Menagerie:
Turn empty milk cartons into a colorful array of animals! Cut out ears, noses, and tails from construction paper or felt. Paint the carton and glue on the features. Bonus points for adding googly eyes!
Shoebox Surprise:
Repurpose an old shoebox into a spacious organizer. Cover it in decorative paper or fabric. Add compartments using cardboard dividers or small boxes. Decorate the outside with buttons, ribbons, or even glued-on crayons for a pop of color.
Plastic Bottle Buddies:
Cut plastic bottles in half to create simple containers. Decorate them with paint, markers, or even glitter! For a more secure closure, glue on a colorful felt circle to cover the open end.
Nature’s Craft Corner:
Pinecone Paradise:
Collect pinecones on a nature walk and clean them thoroughly. Paint them in vibrant colors or leave them natural. You can even embellish them with glitter or small buttons for a touch of whimsy.
Seashell Stand:
Gather beautiful seashells from the beach. Glue them together on a sturdy base (cardboard or wood) to create a unique and coastal-themed holder.
Twiggy Trio:
Bundle together three or four sturdy twigs of similar height. Secure them with twine or ribbon at the top. Place this rustic holder on your desk for a natural touch.
Acorn Accents:
Gather large acorns and clean them. Paint them in fun colors or leave them natural. Glue them onto a small wooden plaque or a sturdy piece of cardboard to create a whimsical stand.
Rockin’ Holder:
Find a smooth, flat rock and paint it with your child’s favorite design. You can even add a small indentation in the center to hold the pencils upright.
Clay & Plaster Creations:
Sculpting Fun:
For older kids, air-dry clay offers a chance to create a one-of-a-kind holder. Mold it into any shape they like – an animal, a character, or even a simple geometric form. Let it dry completely before decorating it with paint or markers.
Plaster Pals:
Plaster casting kits can be a fun activity. Pour plaster into a mold (bought or homemade using recycled materials) and let it set. Decorate the finished cast with paint and use it as a unique pencil holder.
Craftastic Delights:
Pom-Pom Power:
Cut out circles from cardboard and wrap yarn around them to create colorful pom-poms. Glue several pom-poms of different sizes onto a cardboard tube or an empty container for a fluffy and playful holder.
Button Bonanza:
Glue colorful buttons of various sizes onto an empty container or cardboard tube. This is a great project for younger children who can practice their fine motor skills while creating a vibrant holder.
Pipe Cleaner Pals:
Bend pipe cleaners into fun shapes like spirals, hearts, or stars. Glue them onto an empty container or cardboard tube for a whimsical and colorful holder.
Sock Surprise:
Repurpose an old sock! Fill it with rice or beans to create a weighted base. Decorate the outside with buttons, ribbons, or fabric paint.
Washi Tape Magic:
Transform a plain container with colorful washi tape. Create patterns, stripes, or even write messages on the surface for a personalized touch.
Arty Adventures:
Marbleized Marvels:
Fill a shallow dish with water and add drops of different colored acrylic paints. Swirl the colors gently with a toothpick to create a marbled pattern. Dip a container or cardboard tube into the water and let it dry for a unique and artistic holder.
Spray Paint Specks:
For older kids, this can be a fun project with adult supervision. Apply newspaper or masking tape to cover areas you don’t want painted. Spray paint the container or cardboard tube in a well-ventilated area. Once dry, remove the newspaper/tape for a cool speckled effect.
Decoupage Delight:
Cut out pictures from magazines, old greeting cards, or wrapping paper. Glue them onto a container or cardboard tube, overlapping slightly for a collage effect. Apply a coat of clear varnish to seal the design.
Yarn Wrapping Wonders:
Wrap colorful yarn around a cardboard tube or container, securing the ends with glue. This creates a textured and cozy holder, perfect for keeping pencils warm!
Foodie Fun (For Decoration Only):
Egg-cellent Holders:
Carefully clean and dry empty eggshells. Decorate them with paint, markers, or glitter. Note: Eggshells are fragile and not suitable for storing sharp objects. Use them as decorative additions to a sturdier holder made from another material.
Pasta Power:
Glue dried pasta pieces like macaroni, fusilli, or penne onto a container or cardboard tube. Paint the pasta for a colorful and textured holder.
Cookie Cutter Creations:
Use cookie cutters on craft foam to cut out fun shapes like stars, hearts, or animals. Glue them onto a container or cardboard tube for a playful and colorful holder.
Thinking Outside the Box:
Lego Love:
For Lego enthusiasts, an empty Lego brick box can be transformed into a cool pencil holder. Decorate it with additional Lego pieces for a unique and functional addition to their desk.
Bonus Tips:
- Safety First: For younger children, choose projects with minimal cutting or use blunt scissors for added safety. Adult supervision is recommended for activities involving paints, glues, or other potentially messy materials.
- Get Creative!: These ideas are a springboard for creativity! Mix and match elements from different projects or use recycled materials you have on hand.
- Make it a Gift: DIY pencil holders make fantastic homemade gifts for friends and family.
- Storage Solutions: Consider adding small compartments or dividers to your holder using cardboard or recycled containers for better organization.
With a little imagination and these fun ideas, your child can create a one-of-a-kind pencil holder that will keep their desk organized and spark their creativity!
