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DIY Pencil Bookmarks Made With Washi Tape

Byinspirethemom

If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY pencil bookmark to make with the kids, this one is perfect for back-to-school! Made with colorful washi tape and a few simple supplies, these cute pencil-shaped bookmarks come together in no time and are such a fun way to get kids excited about reading.

I love a good back-to-school craft that’s inexpensive, easy enough for little hands to help with, and actually useful—and these little bookmarks check all the boxes. They’d be adorable tucked into a new book, added to a teacher gift, or made with the kids before the first day of school. Plus, you probably already have most of what you need in your craft stash!

Why You’ll Love These DIY Pencil Bookmarks

  • They’re inexpensive to make.
  • You only need a handful of supplies.
  • It’s a completely kid-friendly craft
  • You can customize the colors to match your favorite washi tape.
  • They make a cute back-to-school craft or DIY school supply.
  • They’re perfect for encouraging kids to read!

Supplies to Make these DIY Pencil Bookmarks

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Here’s what you’ll need to make these cute washi tape pencil bookmarks:

Note: I used tape from these two washi tape sets from Amazon: Vintage Stripe and Strawberry Farm. (If I could do things over, I would have chosen a set with more yellow options.)

How to Make a DIY Pencil Bookmark

1. Cut out the bookmark shape

Start by cutting your cardstock into a bookmark shape that is 2.5 inches wide.

For the top, cut the corners into a point so the bookmark has that classic pencil shape. Don’t worry about making it perfect—the washi tape will cover most of the surface anyway.

2. Make the pencil eraser

Now for the fun part!

Start at the top of your bookmark and add pink washi tape horizontally to create the pencil’s eraser.

Place the strips next to each other until you’ve covered the entire width of the bookmark.

You can use one shade of pink or mix a couple of pink washi tapes if you want a little more color.

3. Add the yellow pencil body

Next, grab your yellow washi tape.

This time, place the strips vertically down the bookmark to create the body of the pencil.

Continue adding yellow tape until you’ve covered the section below the eraser.

The combination of the horizontal pink tape and vertical yellow tape makes the little pencil design come together so quickly.

Note: don’t worry about the rough edge, we will cover that with a border piece of washi tape in the end.

4. Add the pencil tip

Now it’s time to make the sharpened part of the pencil.

Use a lighter brown washi tape and add horizontal strips over the pointed section at the bottom of the bookmark.

This gives the look of the freshly shaved wood around the pencil lead.

5. Add the dark brown pencil tip

Finish the pencil by adding dark brown washi tape horizontally at the very top of the pointed section.

This creates the pencil lead and gives your bookmark that unmistakable pencil look.

6. Add a strip between the eraser and pencil

For one more little detail, add a strip of washi tape between the pink eraser and yellow pencil body.

This acts like the metal band that connects the eraser to the pencil and makes the finished bookmark look even more like an actual pencil.

You can use silver, tan, or gray washi tape for a traditional pencil look, or choose any color you love.

7. Trim the edges

Once all of your washi tape is in place, carefully trim away any excess tape around the edges.

Take your time with this part. Clean edges will make the finished pencil bookmark look so much more polished (be careful not to cut the cardstock).

8. Punch a hole

To finish off your pencil bookmark, use a hole punch to make a hole at the top.

Try to center it so your ribbon will hang nicely.

9. Add the raffia ribbon

Finally, cut a small piece of yellow raffia ribbon, fold it in half, and thread the folded end through the hole.

Pull the loose ends through the loop and gently tighten.

And that’s it! Your DIY pencil bookmark is finished.

A Fun Back-to-School Craft for Kids

I love simple crafts like this because they don’t have to take up an entire afternoon.

You can set out a bunch of washi tape colors and let the kids make their own versions. They could make traditional yellow pencils, rainbow pencils, pastel pencils, or even use their favorite colors.

These would also make a sweet little back-to-school gift for classmates or teachers. Just add a favorite book or a cute note, and you’ve got a thoughtful handmade gift without spending much money.

And if you’re looking for an easy way to get kids excited about reading before school starts, making their own bookmark is a good place to begin.

Tips for Making Washi Tape Pencil Bookmarks

Use sturdy cardstock. Regular printer paper is a little too flimsy for a bookmark that’s going to get lots of use.

Overlap the tape slightly. This helps prevent little gaps from showing through between the strips.

Trim after taping. It’s much easier to get clean edges once all of your washi tape is in place.

Have fun with the colors. Your pencil doesn’t have to be yellow! Let the kids choose their favorite washi tape colors and make each bookmark unique.

Make a bunch at once. Once you have all of your supplies out, it’s easy to make several pencil bookmarks in one sitting.

FAQ

1. What kind of paper should I use for a DIY pencil bookmark?

Cardstock works best because it’s thicker and more durable than regular printer paper. Since bookmarks get handled quite a bit, the extra sturdiness will help your bookmark last longer.

2. Can kids make these washi tape bookmarks?

Yes! This is a great, easy craft for kids, especially when they’re getting ready for back-to-school. Younger children may need help cutting and trimming the bookmark, but they can have fun choosing and placing the washi tape.

3. Can I use different colors of washi tape?

Absolutely! You can use any colors or patterns you like. Traditional yellow and pink make the bookmark look like a classic pencil, but there’s no reason you can’t make colorful or rainbow pencil bookmarks.

4. How wide should the pencil bookmark be?

For this project, the bookmark is 2.5 inches wide. You can make it longer or shorter depending on the size of the book you’ll be using it in.

5. What can I use instead of raffia ribbon?

If you don’t have raffia, you can use regular ribbon, baker’s twine, yarn, embroidery floss, or even a thin strip of fabric.

Find a great book to use your DIY Pencil bookmark in: 

Final Thoughts

These DIY pencil bookmarks are such a simple little back-to-school craft, but I think that’s what makes them so fun. They’re easy enough to make on a lazy afternoon, inexpensive enough to make a bunch, and useful enough that they won’t end up sitting in a craft drawer forever.

So grab some washi tape, make a few pencils, and get those kids excited about the new school year—and hopefully a little more excited about reading, too!

Links to More Fun Craft Ideas for Kids

What are your favorite back-to-school crafts?

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