Giant DIY Cardboard Pencils

Make this giant DIY cardboard pencil from a concrete tube! Perfect for decorating schools, classrooms, or back-to-school photo shoots.

My pool noodle pencils were such a hit last year (see the original tutorial here) that I decided to go bigger this year... literally!

This giant cardboard pencil is perfect for decorating a school, church, or even a fun back-to-school photo shoot backdrop! It’s bold, simple to make, and seriously makes a statement.

Here’s how to create your own oversized pencil from a concrete form tube!

Instructions:

STEP 1: Start with the concrete form tube
These can be found at any hardware store and are often labeled as concrete or construction forms. I used an 8" diameter tube.

STEP 2: Spray paint the pencil base
Start with a coat of primer. Once dry, spray the entire tube yellow to mimic a classic pencil. Let it dry completely.

STEP 3: Tape off the eraser section
Use painter’s tape to wrap a horizontal line about 9" from one end of the tube.
Spray the section above the tape with pink spray paint to create the eraser. Let dry.

STEP 4: Add the silver band
Wrap a strip of silver duct tape right where the pink and yellow paint meet. This creates the metal part that holds the eraser in place.

STEP 5: Create the pencil tip
Flip the pencil so the non-painted end is facing up. Use Ram board or any thin brown cardboard (even a cereal box turned inside out will work!).
Form it into a cone shape and trim the bottom edge until it fits cleanly on the tube.
Use hot glue or tape to attach the cone to the top.

STEP 6: Paint the pencil tip
Use a black paint pen to color the very point of the cone, just like real pencil lead.

And that’s it! This giant pencil makes the cutest oversized decoration and would be so fun for welcoming kids to school, creating a classroom display, or snapping some memorable first day photos!

You can also check out my other pencil-inspired crafts:

• Pool Noodle Pencil Tutorial
• Pool Noodle Pencil Garland

🎒 Getting ready for school? Make it magical and grab my Back to School Printables Bundle to kick off the year with fun!