Create a colorful Yarn Wrapped Pencil Craft for Kids with a free printable template! This easy back-to-school craft helps build fine motor skills and is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, elementary classrooms, or homeschool.

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Looking for an easy back-to-school craft that’s fun, colorful, and great for building fine motor skills? This yarn wrapped pencil craft is a simple activity that kids will love making at home, in the classroom, or during the first week of school.

As children wrap yarn around the pencil, they’re practicing hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and concentration while creating a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It’s one of those crafts that keeps little hands busy without requiring lots of complicated steps.

One of my favorite things about this craft is that there isn’t a “right” way to do it. My kids have always loved projects like this because their personalities really shine through. Some carefully wind the yarn into neat, even rows, while others wrap it quickly with a more relaxed style. Every finished pencil looks different, which means there’s no pressure to make it perfect—just enjoy the process!

Whether you choose classic yellow yarn, rainbow colors, or your favorite school colors, each pencil becomes a unique work of art that’s fun to display for back to school.

Pencil Childrens Book to Read Together

Add some extra fun to your pencil craft by reading Pencils on Strike! This hilarious, rhyming story follows a group of classroom pencils that have decided they’ve had enough of being chewed, broken, and forgotten. With plenty of laughs and a gentle message about respect and appreciation, it’s a wonderful read-aloud for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged kids. It’s the perfect companion for back-to-school activities, classroom themes, or anytime you’re learning about school supplies. Learn more about this book here.

Yarn Wrapped Pencil Craft

What You’ll Need

• Free printable pencil template (download below)
• Light brown cardstock orbrown craft paper (for the pencil body; thin cardboard or a cereal box works too)
• Red cardstock or Red craft paper or (for the eraser)
• Gray cardstock or silver craft paper or cardstock (for the metal ferrule)
• Black cardstock or black craft paper (for the pencil lead)
• Yarn (yellow yarn or any colors you’d like)
• Glue stick (or liquid craft glue)
• Scissors
• Tape

Directions: How to Make a Pencil Craft

Printable directions are available at the end of this post to keep craft time simple!

Step 1: Cut the pencil body

Cut a long strip of brown paper or craft cardstock and trim one end into a point so it looks like a sharpened pencil. If you’re using the free template, just trace and cut or print the template directly on brown paper to skip the tracing part. You can also use cardboard or a flattened cereal box if you want something sturdier or want to recycle supplies.

Step 2: Cut the eraser and ferrule pieces

Cut a small red rectangle for the eraser and a thin black strip for the metal band (the ferrule) that sits between the eraser and the wood. These small cuts are perfect for building scissor skills.

Step 3: Add the red eraser

Glue the red rectangle to the flat top end of the pencil so it peeks out above the yarn, just like the eraser on a real pencil.

Step 4: Add the black band and tip

Glue the thin black strip across the top of the yarn to create the ferrule beneath the eraser. Then cut a small black triangle or point and glue it to the very tip of the exposed brown point to make the pencil lead.

Step 5: Wrap the body with yarn

Tape, tie, or dab a bit of glue on the back of the pencil shape to anchor the end of the yarn, then wind the yarn around and around the body, leaving the pointed tip exposed. Encourage kids to keep the wraps snug and side by side. This is the part that builds all that great fine motor and bilateral coordination practice, so let them take their time.

That’s it! Your yarn-wrapped pencil is complete, with a bright yellow body, red eraser, and pointed lead. Line up a whole set in different colors for an adorable classroom display.

Tips and Variations

• Use yellow yarn for a traditional pencil or let kids pick their favorite colors.
• Switch yarn colors as you wrap to make striped, rainbow, or color-blocked pencils.
• Match your classroom or school colors for a fun beginning-of-the-year display.
• Variegated or textured yarn creates a fun look with very little extra effort.
• Use thin cardboard from a cereal box instead of cardstock if you’d like a sturdier finished craft.
• Make a pencil for every student and create a colorful classroom bulletin board where each one is unique.

Skills Kids Practice

This simple craft helps children build important developmental skills while they create.

• Fine motor skills
• Bilateral coordination
• Hand-eye coordination
• Finger strength
• Concentration and patience
• Creativity and self-expression

Frequently Asked Questions

What ages is this craft best for?

This activity is perfect for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary-aged children. Younger kids may need help cutting the template and starting the yarn, while older children can complete the craft independently.

Can I use cardboard instead of cardstock?

Absolutely! Thin cardboard, such as a cereal box, works wonderfully and makes the finished pencil extra sturdy.

What kind of yarn works best?

Most craft yarn works well for this project. Medium-weight yarn is especially easy for little hands to wrap, but feel free to use leftover yarn in any color. Kids could even use multiple types of yarn by tying a knot to connect two pieces together,

Do I have to use the printable template?

No, you can draw your own pencil shape if you’d like. However, the free printable template makes prep quick and easy, especially for classrooms or larger groups.