DIY Paper Chain Pencil Craft for Back to School

Looking for an easy back-to-school decoration that's cute, inexpensive, and fun to make? This DIY Paper Chain Pencil comes together with just a few sheets of cardstock and is the perfect way to celebrate the start of a new school year.

Hang it in a classroom, homeschool room, playroom, or even across your breakfast nook to surprise your kids on the first day of school.

I especially love that you can customize the size! Make a shorter classic pencil for simple decor, or create a longer version with BACK TO SCHOOL written down the side for an extra fun statement piece.

Either way, this easy paper craft is simple enough for kids to help make and looks adorable anywhere you hang it.

DIY Paper Chain Pencil Craft for Back to School

You'll only need a few colors of cardstock and basic craft supplies to make this fun back-to-school decoration.

Step 1: Cut your paper.

Cut all of your cardstock into strips the same width. I made mine about 2 inches wide.

To make cutting a lot of strips quick and consistent, I recommend first cutting one 2-inch-wide strip to use as a template.

Lay the template across each sheet of cardstock and lightly mark the width with a pencil before cutting with a paper trimmer or paper slicer. This makes it easy to quickly cut a whole stack of perfectly even strips.

Before you begin, decide which version you'd like to make.

Classic Paper Chain Pencil

Cut:

• 9 yellow strips
• 4 pink strips
• 3 silver strips
• 2 tan strips
• 1 black strip (for the pencil tip)

"BACK TO SCHOOL" Paper Chain Pencil

Cut:

• 28 yellow strips
• 4 pink strips
• 3 silver strips
• 2 tan strips
• 1 black strip (for the pencil tip)

Step 2: Assemble the paper chain.

Using a stapler, connect your strips into a paper chain in this order:

• 4 pink strips
• 3 silver strips
• Yellow strips (9 for the classic version or 28 for the "BACK TO SCHOOL" version)
• 1 tan strip

For the last tan strip, don't make it into a round loop. Instead, pull the two ends together into a teardrop shape and staple them together. This creates the pointed end of the pencil.

Step 3: Create the pencil point.

Fold the black strip in half lengthwise. Hold it over the pointed tan end to decide how long you'd like your pencil tip to be, then trim it to length.

Next, cut both sides into a triangle shape. Keep the folded edge as the point of the triangle, and don't cut it so narrowly that the fold separates. When unfolded, the black piece should look like an hourglass shape with the fold connecting the two halves.

Apply glue to the inside of the folded black piece, slide it over the pointed tan end, and press it firmly into place. Add one staple near the base to help secure it.

If any of the tan cardstock extends past the black point, simply trim it with scissors.

Step 4: Add a hanger (optional).

If you'd like to hang your DIY Paper Chain Pencil, tie loops of twine or ribbon to each end of the pencil.

Step 5: Personalize it (optional).

For the extra-long version, write BACK TO SCHOOL on the yellow strips before assembling the chain. Write one letter on every other yellow strip so the words read down the side of the finished pencil.

You can also personalize your paper chain pencil with your teacher's name, your child's name, grade level, or another fun back-to-school message! Just adjust the number of yellow chains accordingly!

Where to Hang Your DIY Paper Chain Pencil

This easy decoration looks adorable just about anywhere!

Try hanging it:

• In your classroom
• Above a homeschool workspace
• Across a breakfast nook for the first day of school
• On a bulletin board
• In a reading corner
• Across a mantle
• In a playroom
• On a classroom door
• As a backdrop for first day of school photos

More Back-to-School Crafts You'll Love

• First Day of School Time Capsule
• Easy Pool Noodle Pencils
• Printable First Day of School Penants