For my Craft On video series, I’ve made a couple fun DIY videos to get kids – and their parents – excited about going back to school. This first tutorial turns last year’s DIY for THESE Mini Pencil Cookies into video form. You can watch the Craft On: Mini Pencil Cookies video HERE.

And the second video is for a mini pencil made from a paper towel roll, and when broken open hosts a surprise of  school supplies and candy (hence the “pencil popper” name).  If I were a kid, I’d sure be excited to find one of these in my lunchbox!  Click play to check out the video and continue along for the full directions.

Materials Needed:

• Paper Towel Roll
• Tissue Paper: Yellow, Tan, Pink, Black
• Construction Paper
• Piece of Tinfoil
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue
• Filler: Candy, School Supplies, etc.

Click through for instructions…

Directions:

Step #1: Cut off 2″ from the end of the paper towel roll.

Step #2: Roll a small piece of construction into a cone shape and tape it along the top of your paper towel roll.

Step #3: Fold strips of yellow and tan tissue paper and fold in half, cut ¾ of the way up to create your fringe.

Step #3: Cut a strip of tin foil. Glue it around the bottom of the roll.

Step #4: Starting above the tin foil tape the yellow fringe around the roll. Once you get to the top of the paper towel roll, switch the tan fringe.

Step #5: Glue a piece of your black tissue to the top for the pencil’s lead.

Step#6: Bunch up pink tissue paper into a bulb shape and place into the opening of the pencil end for the pencil’s eraser.  Fill pencil with candy and fun school supplies.  Once the pencil is filled with goodies,  can add glue  around the eraser’s edge to securely seal your pencil popper.