Can you believe that school is almost back in session? I finally bought supplies this week and can I just tell you how hard it was to not spend money on all the adorable apple-shaped erasers and staplers and tape dispensers! So, instead of spending a bunch of money on unessential things, I got inspired looking through the supply aisles and decided to make our own school supply fun! The kids and I jazzed-up their brand new, number 2 pencils with some DIY Pipe Cleaner Toppers.

We made all kinds of fun shapes and I photographed a few of our favorites for you. The project reminded me a little bit of making shapes out of balloons in that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination! This project is also the perfect afternoon craft and a fantastic (and super inexpensive) thing to make for friends and teachers at school. Make a bunch and have your kids pass them out to their new classmates.

Pipe Cleaner Pencil Toppers

Supplies:

pencils
pipe cleaners
scissors

Step 1

Select a pipe cleaner and grab a pencil. Twist your pipe cleaner into any shape. Think: geometric shapes, hearts, starts, diamonds, lighting bolts and you can even twist to form a cute apple! Use only the first four or five inches of the pipe cleaner to form the shape because you’ll need the rest for the next step!

Step 2

Wrap the remaining portion of the pipe cleaner around the eraser side of your pencil in a spiral fashion. Secure by pressing your fingers firmly around the pipe cleaner so it hugs the pencil snuggly.