The Write Stuff: How to Make a Giant Pencil Case

This back-to-school season, what will all the cool kids have in their backpacks? This giant pencil case, of course. Crafted out of an empty paper towel roll, it’s a larger-than-life version of the pencils it holds. This oversized pencil would also make a fun classroom decoration or teacher appreciation gift. It certainly makes going back to school more bearable. Well, almost.

What you’ll need:
Empty paper towel roll
Scissors
Plain masking tape
Black electrical or duct tape
Yellow construction paper
Glue stick
Pink construction paper
Green construction paper
Aluminum foil
Cap from milk jug

1. On one end of the empty paper towel roll, cut 12 to 15 vertical slits that are about two inches deep.

2. Pinch the slits to create a pointy end, and wrap plain masking tape around it.

3. Wrap black tape around the tip to create the pencil lead.

4. Cut a six-by-seven-inch piece of yellow construction paper. With a glue stick, adhere it lengthwise to the paper towel roll starting at the base of the pointy tip.

5. Cut a two-by-six-inch piece of pink construction paper, and then glue it to the other end of the paper towel roll. 

6. Cut a one-by-six-inch piece of green construction paper. Glue it between the yellow and pink sections. Then cut a half-inch-by-six-inch piece of aluminum foil and glue it in the middle of the green section.

7. To make the closure for the bottom of the giant pencil, we’ll use the cap from a milk bottle or jug. Because the cap is slightly smaller than the opening, wrap black tape around the circumference to widen it.

8. Slide the cap into the bottom of the giant pencil to make sure it’s snug. 

Jonathan Fong is the author of “Flowers That Wow” and “Parties That Wow,” and host of “Style With a Smile” on YouTube. You can see more of his do-it-yourself projects at jonathanfongstyle.com.