Homemade Pencil Holder

by Christine Dvornik

Age: Preschool and up
Time: An hour or more
Type of activity: Arts and Crafts

As you do this activity, talk to your child about the value of recycling everyday objects.

Materials needed:
· Clean, empty coffee or soup can (make sure the edges are smooth)
· Paint, markers, glitter, ribbon, and other decorative materials
· Scissors
· Glue
· Mod Podge (can be purchased at any local craft store)
· Paintbrush
· Sponge
· Ribbon, scraps of wallpaper, pieces of fabric, buttons, and other decorative objects
· Magazine clippings and/or scraps of wrapping paper

What to do:

Step One: If you'd like a background on your pencil holder, paint the can and let it dry.

Step Two: Gather scraps of wrapping paper, pictures from magazines, shapes from construction paper, and any other decorative objects you'll use to cover the can. Add a bit of originality by coloring or painting your own designs on a piece of construction paper, then cut the designs out.

Step Three: Experiment with the layout of the wrapping paper, magazine clippings, fabric, and other scraps you'll glue to the can. If you didn't paint a background, make sure you have enough materials to cover the entire can.

Step Four: Start pasting the materials on the can using the Mod Podge and paintbrush.

Step Five: Keep layering the materials until the entire can is covered. Be sure to eliminate all the air bubbles as the paste dries, using the sponge.

Step Six: Wipe up any excess Mod Podge around the images with the sponge.

Step Seven: Give the can a final coat of Mod Podge.

Step Eight: Put the can aside and let it dry completely. This could take several hours.

When the can is dry, fill it with pens, pencils, and school supplies to get your child off to a great start!