15 Pencil Crafts for Kids To Make for Back To School Season

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The start of a new school year is a great time to add creative activities to your plans. These pencil crafts for kids are perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and early elementary children and work well for parents, teachers, caregivers, and homeschoolers.

You’ll find paper activities, printables, painting ideas, recycled creations, puppets, and keepsakes that use simple supplies and little prep. They’re ideal for classrooms, daycare centers, homeschool lessons, and home activities. Pair them with our back to school crafts for more school-themed inspiration.

Collage promoting 15 easy back-to-school pencil crafts for preschool and kindergarten, featuring colorful paper pencil projects, a popsicle stick pencil, a pencil picture frame, and other classroom-themed crafts.

Pencil Crafts for Kids

Pencil Tissue Paper

Little hands crumple tissue paper, glue it to a printable base, then add the printed details for the eraser, metal band, face, and tip. The textured finish gives the finished piece a bright 3D look without needing fancy supplies.

It's especially fun for preschoolers because all that scrunching and sticking builds fine motor skills while still feeling like play.

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Back to School Photo Pencil

Wide popsicle sticks are glued into a simple frame, painted yellow, and finished with cardstock pieces for the point, metal band, and eraser. A wallet-sized photo and playful message turn it into a keepsake kids can proudly display or give as a gift.

Painting, gluing, and personalizing all in one project makes it feel more special than a basic cut-and-paste activity.

Related: Pencil Headband Craft

artsymomma.com

3D Paper Pencil School Keepsake

A paper template folds into a display-worthy keepsake that children can personalize with details like their name, age, year, or school. The finished design stands out because it has more dimensions than a flat worksheet-style project.

Kids usually enjoy adding their own information, which makes the finished piece feel more personal and worth saving.

Also try: Back to School Pencil Craft

Cute paper pencil crafts with smiling cartoon faces, pink erasers, and black tips, displayed on a white background—perfect back-to-school activity for kids.

Pencil Shape

Colored cardstock or construction paper gets cut into easy pieces and glued together to build a cheerful school-supply character. Because the template uses simple shapes like rectangles and circles, it works especially well for younger kids who are still practicing scissor skills.

The quick assembly makes it a nice classroom activity when you want something cute without a long prep list.

www.hellowonderful.co

Back to School Pencil

Large popsicle sticks, felt, paint, cardboard, and a photo come together in a keepsake children can help assemble and decorate. The layered materials give it a handmade look that feels more memorable than plain paper art.

It's a fun choice for the start of the year because kids get to make something artsy and save a sweet picture at the same time.

Related: Crayon Shape Craft

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Toilet Paper Roll Pencil

A toilet paper roll is wrapped in yellow and pink cardstock, topped with tin foil, and finished with a cream cone tip, a black point, and googly eyes. The mix of recycled material and paper details makes it feel more built than flat art on a table.

Kids also get a fun bonus because the finished piece can double as a desk decoration or holder if the tip is left off.

Also try: Crayon Book Craft

Pencil Name

A printable set lets kids arrange letter pieces to spell their names, then glue the parts together into a personalized school-themed design. The activity blends art with name practice, making it well-suited for preschool and kindergarten.

Seeing their own name built right into the finished project gives it extra appeal for little learners.

www.adabofgluewilldo.com

Shape Pencil

Construction paper, aluminum foil, scissors, and glue are all it takes to build this one from traced rectangles and triangles. Children draw the shapes, cut them out, and glue the pieces together, which gives them practice with both shape recognition and following directions.

It's a smart classroom pick because the steps stay simple while still keeping little hands busy.

Related: Crayon Box Name Craft

lalymom.com

Pool Noodle Pencil

Thin yellow and pink pool noodles, silver duct tape, a black Sharpie, and jumbo sidewalk chalk come together to make an oversized version that really stands out.

The body is cut and angled, taped together, and finished with chalk tucked into the tip for outdoor drawing. Kids love the giant size, and it works just as well for a party prop or funny teacher gift.

Also try: Crayon Name Craft

Pencil Paper Bag Puppet

A brown paper bag and printable pieces turn into a classroom buddy that kids can decorate and move around during pretend play. After the face and top pieces are glued in place, the bag opens and closes just like a simple puppet.

Storytelling is the big draw here, since children can keep playing with it long after the glue dries.

www.craftymorning.com

Popsicle Stick Pencil

Four popsicle sticks are glued onto tan paper, painted yellow, and finished with a pink eraser and a drawn black point. The supply list stays short, which makes it easy to set up at home or in a classroom.

Painting the sticks instead of just using paper adds a little texture that kids usually find satisfying.

Related: Crayon Box Craft

www.stirthewonder.com

Back to School Pencil Frame

Real yellow pencils, cereal-box cardboard, ribbon, tape, and glue are used to make a photo frame that feels both creative and practical. Kids help arrange the pencils around the cardboard base, then add a photo and ribbon for hanging.

It stands out because the finished piece looks like something you'd actually keep on display rather than toss in the art bin.

Also try: Popsicle Stick Crayon Craft

www.hellowonderful.co

Paper Pencil Tube

A printed wrap goes around a cardboard toilet tube, while the topper is rolled into a cone and glued in place. The inside can be filled with small trinkets, stationery goodies, or candy, so the finished piece works as both an art and a gift holder.

That little surprise element makes it especially fun for kids who like projects with a practical use.

Related: Crayon Paper Bag Puppet Craft

www.schooltimesnippets.com

Washi Tape Pencil

Washi tape in yellow and pink gets layered over a hand-drawn outline on construction paper, then the finished shape is cut out and personalized with letter stickers if you like.

Since there's almost no mess and very little prep, it's a great fit for younger kids or quick classroom time. Taping inside the outline also gives children a nice bit of fine motor practice without making the project feel hard.

Also try: Crayon Headband

www.easypeasyandfun.com

Paper Roll Pencil

A paper kitchen towel roll is covered with yellow, pink, beige, and black cone pieces, and a band of silver duct tape, to create a jumbo version kids can fill with treats. The top is made by rolling paper circles into cones, which gives the finished piece a bold 3D shape.

It's especially fun because it can be used as party decor, a classroom decoration, or a surprise gift container.

Related: Bus Shape Craft

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

Meet Sam

Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

About Sam