This adorable pencil name craft makes the perfect back-to-school activity for Pre-K and Kindergarten kids. It’s a fun and simple way to help little learners practice name recognition while getting excited for the new school year!
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Pencil Name Craft
Can you believe it’s back-to-school season already?
This easy and fun pencil name craft is the perfect way to kick off the new school year! With our free printable template, a bit of cardstock, and some coloring supplies, kids in Pre-K and Kindergarten will love creating their very own personalized pencil.
Not only is this a cute back-to-school craft, but it’s also a great name recognition activity for early learners. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, homeschooler, or a parent looking for a fun way to ease into the school routine, this pencil craft is a must-try!
What You’ll Need:
- Pencil Template – Grab the free printable at the bottom of this post.
- White Cardstock – We recommend Neenah White brand for best results.
- Scissors – Child-safe scissors work great for little hands.
- Glue – A glue stick or school glue will do the trick.
- Coloring Supplies – Crayons, colored pencils, or markers—whatever you have on hand!
How to Make a Pencil Name Craft
- Print the Template
Start by printing the pencil name craft template on white cardstock. We recommend Neenah cardstock—it’s sturdy and gives the final craft a nice, clean finish. - Color the Pencil
Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to decorate the pencil template. We chose classic yellow, pink, and gray, but feel free to get creative—rainbow pencils are totally encouraged! - Cut Out the Circles
Cut out one letter circle for each letter in the child’s name. For example, if the name is “Emily,” you’ll need five circles. - Glue the Circles to the Pencil
Apply a small amount of glue to attach the circles along the pencil, spacing them out evenly. - Write the Letters
Using a permanent marker, write one letter of the child’s name on each circle to complete the craft.
Back-to‑School Book Picks
Looking for a fun and meaningful way to kick off the school year?
Pair this adorable pencil name craft with a few great back-to-school books to help ease first-day jitters and spark excitement about learning.
These heartwarming and relatable stories are the perfect complement to your craft time—offering kids a chance to talk about their feelings, build confidence, and celebrate the start of a brand-new school adventure. Ideal for home or classroom use!
- The Crayons Go Back to School – From the team behind The Day the Crayons Quit, this colorful story shows crayons excited (and sometimes embarrassed) about returning to class—and it ties in beautifully with your pencil-themed craft.
- Curly Crow Goes to School – A sweet tale of a little crow braving the first-day jitters and finding joy in recess—that perfect companion when kids see their own names on their pencils.
- I Don’t Want to Go to School ! – A relatable read for hesitant learners, this book gently addresses first-day fears—ideal to pair with the confidence-boosting name craft.
- Back to School, Backpack ! – Told from a backpack’s perspective, this playful book explores first-day unease and excitement—mirroring the personalization and comfort found in making a pencil with your own name.
- Alpaca Goes Back‑A to School – An alpaca’s funny, enthusiastic return to school encourages laughter—and creativity—making it a great read alongside coloring and assembling pencil crafts.
- Night Before Kindergarten – A cozy bedtime story about prepping for the first day—pair it with your craft activity the night before school to build anticipation and comfort.
Download Instructions
Getting your hands on this fun and free printable template to make a pencil name craft is really easy! Just fill out the quick form at the bottom of this post and hit that “send me the printable” button.
Once you’ve signed up, check your email to confirm—then voilà! You’ll officially be part of our mailing list and get instantly redirected to the PDF file with the free printable pencil template.
Already subscribed? No worries! If you’ve downloaded from us before, simply fill out the form again, and you’ll be automatically sent straight to the download link for our pencil name craft template—no extra steps needed.
Share With Us
I’d love to see how your pencil name craft turns out!
Whether you’re making them in the classroom, at home, or during a summer camp activity, be sure to snap a photo and share it.
Tag me on social media (Facebook or Pinterest) or leave a comment below—I’m always so thrilled to see these crafts in action and celebrate your kids’ creativity!
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