Whether you are planning to keep your kids home for school this fall or send them back to the classroom, this Recycled Can Pencil Holder is a fun craft using items you already have at home to get everyone in the Back-to-School mood.
I LOVE SCHOOL SUPPLIES. I mean, I love just standing in the aisle and looking at all the things. I love seeing new paper designs. I love the smell of new crayons and markers with pointy tips. I like getting a clean calendar and new spiral notebooks to fill with ideas. I love seeing what characters make it on backpacks and all the new cups that come with lunchboxes.
Maybe what i love most are the “deals” on school supplies, but there is just a fun excitement in the air when all the bins of glue, and crayons, erasers and earbuds show up. With all the COVID-19 preparation this year, things do seem a little different, but it is back-to-school time none the less. Last week I kept the cans we used for different meals for dinner and pulled out supplies from my craft bins in the garage to create a fun little craft together. While I’m working with a toddler at my house, these are crafts taht would be fun for a tween or even teenager. Heck, the teachers and homeschool mamas may find as much enjoyment as i did I getting a little craft.
Recycled Can Pencil Holder supplies
- aluminum can – any variety works
- new, fresh crayons
- raw pasta
- pom poms
- ribbon
- colored popsicle sticks
- Assorted stickers
- washi tape
- pipe cleaners
- Yarn or rope
- tacky glue
- hot glue gun and extra glue sticks
- felt
Recycled Can Pencil Holder designs
Sticker designs – use washi tape to run along the top and bottom edges of the can. You could fold washi tape over the top lip to protect from the can cut edge or run a section around the top inside edge. The washi tap makes a border and the open can in middle can be covered with stickers. This is a great option for toddlers and preschoolers. We practiced talking about shapes, colors, balls and animals.
Fresh Crayons – fresh crayons scream back to school and glued around the can, they make a great colorful statement on your desk. Start on the seam of the can to have a guide for a straight line and run a line of hot glue top to bottom. Hold the crayon with the tip up and make sure it is above the bottom of the can so it doesn’t drag. the tips of the crayon may stick above the top of the can. Carefully place each crayon as you wrap them side by side around the can. It might be easier to lay the crayons out in order that you want to wrap them so you don’t have to think about a pattern as you place them.
Colored Popsicle Sticks – these were leftover from another project but were something I picked up at the dollar store craft section. Like the crayons, they make a bold color statement and look so great in a school desk area. Follow the same steps for crayons, starting at the seam and making a line with the hot glue and placing each stick straightening one by one.
Pom Poms and Ribbon – I loved this one and it would be great for a tween. I started by gluing the ribbon around the top and bottom first. Washi tape could be a good option here as well. Then, I glued the pom-poms in the middle following a pattern. I found small, plastic rhinestones and they added just a little bit of glam. This would totally be the one I would use!
Pipe Cleaners and Rope – This was the most interesting design and not really for younger kids. But, I used a hot glue gun and started at a seam and wrapped the pipe cleaner around the can. I would start a new color at the end of the last one. I wanted to add color, but metallic or the same color pipe cleaners could be used end to end. I finished it off with rope, using the tines in the middle of the can for holding and design. This was a little messy, and a little wonky, but the funky design was kinda cool.
macaroni pattern – using rotini or penne noodles, make patterns top to bottom, gluing in a row. I used Garden Rotini that was already died in three colors – green, orange, plain. I started with a green one on the top, followed by yellow, then orange, and yellow. I kept the pattern going so it looked like a stair step. This one took a lot of time, but hot glue worked best. A checkerboard pattern would work well if using just two noodle colors or alternating two noodles.
painted macaroni – this was with elbow macaroni, but small noodles, letter pasta, or other small pieces would work well. Tacky glue is a great tool for this and the kids can place the noodles one by one or a handful at a time. Allow the glue to dry completely. I painted this with metallic craft paint. Just a tube I already had. Spray paint also works, I just didn’t have any in my garage. I liked the metallic look because it goes better with the decor on my desk, but bright colors could work as well.
Quick Tips
- when opening cans, completely open the edge where there are no hanging pieces of metal.
- if pieces of metal are left, clip off the edge of metal or file it down to protect kids
- cut a round circle of felt and glue to the bottom of the can to protect any rough surfaces from the cans edge
- have fun and remember its ok if the designs aren’t perfect.
This is a fun way to make something that just might get kids in the mood for school. Use them to decorate your space at home or plan to fill them with a goody and take your kids teacher for the first day of school. These are great pencil holders by the phone on the counter or even in the bathroom holding your makeup brushes. Don’t spend a lot of money on supplies. Used up random things you already have at home and just make it work!
And if you are looking for more Back to School help, my meal planning and monthly menus may be super helpful
