Back-to-School: Message Pencils & Napkins | Family Economics

By Cathe

Back to school time can be both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking for children and parents. It’s great for children to see old friends, and fun for them to make new ones. But as the school year begins, the focus on academics returns, which is something that may take a little time to get used to again.

Ease the mood with a little hidden fun by sneaking special messages into their pencil pouch, letting them know you’re thinking of them during their school day. Instead of just tucking in a note, I recommend you get clever with customized message pencils!

How to Make Customized Message Pencils:

1. On the computer, type out several special messages onto a color block close to the color of the pencils you plan to embellish.

2. Use a narrow enough font size to fit on the side of a pencil.

3. Write words of encouragement tell a joke or create a coupon redeemable only when the pencil has been used up.

4. Print the messages and trim out into thin strips with a craft knife and straight edge.

5. Glue messages to each pencil with white glue. Brush a thin finish coat over each to prevent scuffing.

6. Once the pencils are dry, keep on hand to sneak one into your child’s backpack or pencil pouch every week or so. Before you know it, they will be looking forward to what each new pencil message brings!

Customized pencils also make fun gift sets for children and adults and are also unique birthday party favors.

Teachers will appreciate custom sets of pencils as gifts for the holidays tucked into handmade pencil cups.

How to Use an Eraser Stamp:

1. Take the pencil design a step further and cut a shape into the eraser of a pencil with a craft knife.

2. Use as a rubber stamp to accent a hand-written message hidden in your kid’s notebook.

3. Kids can easily re-ink their eraser stamps with a ball-point pen at school.

You can create more fun for your elementary-age children while they’re away at school. Check out the story I shared a few years ago when my own children were younger about creating special lunch napkin notes here.