At GEDDES, we’re known for our fun, colorful school supplies, but there’s still something to be said for letting kids decorate and customize their own pens, pencils, and notebooks. It’s a great rainy day activity, for one, and it also lets kids express their personalities by creating supplies that are uniquely theirs. Here are some simple ideas for how to decorate school supplies.
Washi Tape Pens
Washi tape crafts are everywhere these days, with good reason: they’re super easy and the end results look fantastic! Even young children can manage crafts with washi tape and customizing pens is a great place to start. You can use one long piece of washi tape to make a vertical stripe down the side or cut several small pieces of tape to make horizontal stripes up and down the pen. Another option is to wrap the washi tape around the pen from top to bottom, but you’ll need to trim the excess from each end when you’re done.
Use a few different types of washi tape or a single roll of tape and a patterned or colored pen for a layered effect. You can also use washi tape on pencils, but you’ll have to peel it back before sharpening them.
Personalized Textbook Covers
Kids are never thrilled when their parents use old paper grocery bags to make textbook covers, but it’s easy to take them from cheap to chic with a few personal touches.
Head over to the crafts section on the GEDDES website and pick out some stampers in different colors or use washi tape to create colorful stripes. Use stencils and markers to add decorative lettering or a trendy pattern, jazz it up with stickers, or make a collage with magazine cut-outs and a layer of Mod Podge to keep it all in place.
DIY Dry Erase Board
We included this idea in our blog post on DIY locker decorations, but it’s worth adding here too! A plastic clipboard can double as a dry erase board. There’s no special coating or technique needed—dry erase markers will write (and erase) on any plastic clipboard. Choose one in your favorite color, then add stickers, washi tape, or decorate the border with permanent markers. Visit our GTV YouTube channel to see how you can turn your DIY dry erase board into a magnetic board to hang on your locker.
Custom Pencil Toppers
There’s no shortage of cool pencil toppers on our website, but it’s also easy to make your own.
Choose an eraser or soft toy that you’d like to use to top your pen—we have plenty of unique erasers to help inspire you! Next, an adult will need to carefully cut a pencil-sized hole in the bottom of the eraser or toy with a detail knife. If you want to be able to take the pencil topper on and off, that’s all there is to it! To make it permanent, put a dab of craft glue inside the pencil topper before placing it on the pencil.
Buy Fun School Supplies From GEDDES
GEDDES is your source for kid-approved school supplies and crafts. Browse our full selection on our website, request a catalog today, or contact us to learn more about our products and our mission to make learning fun.