Pencil Art Project & Game
Need a back to school art lesson for your bulletin board? Imagine these pencil art projects in your hallway with a writing prompt. The step by step drawing tutorial and PowerPoint also makes perfect no prep, emergency art sub plans for elementary art and general ed teachers. Design your pencil art project easily!
That’s right. Sit back while I teach your students how to play the roll a dice game and design the pencil myself! Kids can also choose patterns using the ‘you pick’ worksheet or digital spinners—whatever works best for you!
Plus, it’ll help cash-strapped teachers like you plan first day of school activities using only markers. Yes, you can watercolor paint with markers!
What’s Included
I’ve designed 3 different ways for students to attempt my pencil art project for back to school. All will motivate kids to create! Choose which way works best for your classes:
- Roll a dice game to add randomness to your student’s artwork
- “You Pick” art worksheet for kids to choose their own patterns
- Digital spinner wheels, so kids can randomly pick patterns and you can integrate technology
- Printable dice template in case you have no dice
- Step-by-step picture directions to guide students through the art process
- Pencil Template which kids can draw directly on it or transfer it to heavy drawing paper
- Drawing practice worksheet, so kids can practice drawing patterns
- 2 First Day of School Writing Prompts, so you can tie this drawing project to literacy
- 2 Pencil Coloring pages that you can use for absent students or hand out as a classroom prize
- Helpful Tips & Tricks handout with teacher directions to help guide the lesson
- Step by Step Video Tutorial, with optional captions
How to Use My Pencil Art Project for Back to School Lessons
The best part about this art project to design a pencil is that it’s flexible and can be used in many ways throughout your classroom. It’s great for maternity or emergency art sub plans, early finisher activities, indoor recess, or even an after-school art club.
You Will Receive
- 1 Non-Editable Printable PDF (Pencil Art Project)
- 1 Non-Editable PowerPoint
- 1 Demonstration Video
- 5 Digital Spinner Videos (downloadable, and links to them on Google Slides and YouTube)
- Paperless Google Drive Digital Resource
Why You’ll Love It
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a great activity! My students really enjoyed it and were so proud of their pencils!! Well thought out product! Thank you!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Such a cute way to decorate the classroom at the beginning of the year! It was easy to evaluate students based on the concepts used in this activity, all while allowing them to showcase their individuality through their pencils. Great resource!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My students’ ages 9-11, on Autism Spectrum Disorder absolutely loved this back-to-school art activity. They were engaged and were able to use their creativity and learn a wonderful marker and water art lesson. I highly recommend this resource. I love it! Thank you!
Terms of Use
Please refer to my complete terms of use prior to purchasing.
Grace L. –
What a great activity to start the new school year with.
Cindy Chupp –
My students loved this! It was a fun back to school art activity.
Elizabeth C. –
I used this activity for early finishers. They loved being creative and using different colors!
Learning Out Loud (Teacher-Author) –
I used this activity on a day when I needed emergency sub plans. When I returned, I asked my students which of the activities I left that they enjoyed the most and they mentioned this one (I was out for three days that week). They enjoyed decorating and designing their own pencil (I let them self select). It was simple for a sub to use and the students enjoyed it. Thanks so much!
Jane F. –
My pupils always love these resources, would highly recommend purchasing.
Steph Shaw – 6th Grade Adventures (Teacher-Author) –
Perfect resource to use with my 5th and 6th grade art students.
Lyn C. –
I introduced this activity as an art project in preparation for a similar one I purchased for a day when I needed a sub. My students were very engaged and chose to do more than one project when they had time.
Keeley F. –
This is a great resource. My students enjoyed doing math and art together.
Hillary P. –
Such a great activity!
Squirming to Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
I used this to decorate our hallway and they turned out great!
Taylor S. –
My students loved using this resource!
Resource to Desk (Teacher-Author) –
My kids enjoyed these!
Shelley Sokoloff –
My students’ ages 9-11, on Autism Spectrum Disorder absolutely loved this back-to-school art activity. They were engaged and were able to use their creativity and learn a wonderful marker and water art lesson. I highly recommend this resource. I love it! Thank you!
Tamara McNair –
Such a cute way to decorate the classroom at the beginning of the year! It was easy to evaluate students based on the concepts used in this activity, all while allowing them to showcase their individuality through their pencils. Great resource!
Katharine G. –
Great resource. Thank you!
Ginger F. –
I am not sure who loved using this resource more – me or my students! Thank you for a fun and engaging product!
Stanley C. –
Thank you so much for this wonderful resource. It was amazing!
Carolyn’s Book-tique (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved creating their own pencil design! Thank you!
The Comprehensive Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
Awesome resource!
Kasie G. –
Very nice lesson to leave for a sub. Very engaging.
Marti P. –
This was a quick activity they could easily do while others were completing work.
Dawn Cort –
Great resource for my second graders.
Kendra G. –
This is a great art activity to leave with a sub.
Megan B. –
This was a great last minute sub plan for my STEAM classes.
Annie P. –
Awesome resource!
Christine W. –
Great activity for a sub. So easy to plan.
Stacey B. –
This is a great activity! My students really enjoyed it and were so proud of their pencils!! Well thought out product! Thank you!!
Chelsea B. –
My students really enjoyed the lesson!
Courtney W. –
Great for pattern work
Alanna J M. –
This is such a fun resource! The activity can be adapted or done as-is. the Zentangle pattern sheets are very useful! This would be a great sub activity or even a first day/last day piece of art!
Tricia C. –
This is a great Fun Friday activity!
Keegan for Kids (Teacher-Author) –
Fun & engaging
Alicia W. –
Love to add variety into my curriculum and this resource does just that!
Monique G. –
Fun activity and the kids were so engaged!
Lauren H. –
Such a fun activity for STEAM!
Margaret S. –
I have used these in my art room. They are great for subs and the students seem to like them.
Krista H. –
Very pleased! Excellent resource!
Kimberley S. –
Great for a back to school activity or the supply teacher.
Ruby D. –
My student’s really enjoyed using this activity. It was very easy to prepare. Thank you for sharing this resource with us!!
Emily Garrard –
So fun and such a great resource! Thanks!
Kylie W. –
My student enjoyed creating their own pencils.
Rachel L. –
This was a fun first week of school project.
One Hot Mess Teacher (Teacher-Author) –
I have some face to face students and some who are learning virtually. On Fridays, we have time for students to make up any missed or incomplete assignments. I used this activity for students who didn’t have any work to make up. They LOVED it. I love the recent updates with the videos and spinners as well. Nice work!
Colleen L. –
Thank you for the great resource!
Daizees Doodles (Teacher-Author) –
Looks like a fun and engaging activity. I will be using this next week.
Stephanie M. –
Tried this out with my own family first. I love how everyone’s art is different. My students will love this! Thanks.
LaDonna J. –
This was such a fun project for my daughter! I made one myself!
The Art of Allen (Teacher-Author) –
I use this activity for early finishers. Many enjoyed that the activity was so customizable. No one had the same drawing when we were done.
MrsGott (Teacher-Author) –
A great no prep sub plan to keep in my sub tub !
mahalia.rochelle (verified owner) –
Designing/decorating your pencil…. I can see this being used as a back to school activity for my younger ones
Andrea P. –
These come out so cute and unique,
Lori E. –
I used this for art class during the first week of school. I loved it and so did my students!
Rayna G. –
Fun resource to use when subbing or a great back to school resource.
Franike R. –
Kids loved it. Kept them busy for some time when a sub had to take over.
Finding Joy in the Journey (Teacher-Author) –
Perfect resource for a TTOC, and very engaging for students!
Hemingway in 4th Grade (Teacher-Author) –
Great resource. Perfect for a substitute teacher as well.
Karen B. –
This was a great way to ease into the school year. The kids loved it. Thanks!
Pauline V. –
Love this activity! Simple and effective 🙂
Heather Y. –
Love this for back to school!
Karen S. –
Great art project for my combined class! The different template choices was great for the varying needs of my students.
Brianne D. –
Thanks! Great activity to have on hand!
Megan K. –
Great back to school activity
Kelsey R. –
A great art activity for the first few weeks of school or to leave when I am away. Thanks!
From Chopsticks to Mason Jars (Teacher-Author) –
Worked great as a beginning of the year activity!
Ashlee R. –
Students love this!
Victoria McNeil –
My students loved this designing your pencil lesson. We were able to talk about what we learned last year about lines and they loved being the designer.
Dana H. –
This was a fun first day project. The kids enjoyed getting to know each other while creating a fun project. The pencils look great displayed with new year goals.
Nicole C. –
Used for emergency sub plans!
Heather Warden –
My kids loved this!
Danielson’s Academy (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved making this cute pencil!
Sherese F. –
This is a unique idea.
catherine R. –
I really enjoy using it as it prepared and easy to use and kids don’t get disheartened about the amount of work on the sheets
Rhiannon C. –
Love these for back to school and early finishers!
Theresa F. –
The kids loved this activity. Great for a substitute teacher!
Lindsey G. –
kids loved this so much. focus on lines and patterns
Lindsay B. –
I was in a bind for something to do in art with a substitute. Very easy to use and the students loved that they could be creative with it!
Kelsee H. –
Great for my 6th graders as an intro to art class project. They had fun rolling the dice to get the patterns
Sandra J. –
Will be subbing over the next few months and I am excited to use your activities in the local schools!
The Innovative Library Media Center (Teacher-Author) –
Looking forward to using this in the Media Center Makerspace!
Niamh C. –
Great resource and was enjoyed by all
Christine Hampl –
Students enjoyed this!
Tracey A. –
Totally love this art lesson, I used the pencils to decorate my artroom
Kristen D. –
Super fun and the kids had a blast!
JediJills STEAM Lab (Teacher-Author) –
Great display item and fun for students to get creative with back to school theme.
Tayler S. –
I loved seeing what my students created!
Always Doin Something (Teacher-Author) –
Made these for the first day of school! So cute and easy!
Rina S. –
It was great for a sub lesson at the beginning of the year
Nancy G. –
Love the whole package!
Teacher’s Helpers for Little Hands (Teacher-Author) –
Fun! My kids really enjoyed this:)
Radical Math (Teacher-Author) –
Great activity for my Math in Art course
Nicole R. –
I set this for a sub to do. Easy as!
Alisha B. –
Good to leave for supply teachers.
Paula D. –
Kids loved this
Valerie W. –
My third graders loved this and i just had a sub use them with 1st grade and they loved it as well!
Lauren A. –
Clear instructions. Great for a sub!
Jan B. –
Such a creative and fun activity. My students loved making them
Patti S. –
Fun activity for the first week of school. Students loved it.
Barbara G. –
Awesome resource that hits on lines really well.
Sarah C. –
Great resource! Perfect for the first week!
Jennifer Jones –
This came in handy as a sub plan when I couldn’t bear to write one. Thank you!
Verona S. –
Simple, but amazing first days of school art activity! Thank you!
Marin W. –
Great for emergency sub plans!
Janne R. –
Great for first day of school!
Linda Quiroga –
The students enjoyed this fun, no plan art activity. They were so creative.
alicia H. –
I can’t wait to use this in my classroom this year!!!
Sarah C. –
Can do this one at any time of year!
Donna Incorvaia –
Perfect for a sub lesson and for a quick fill in lesson! kids loved it
Alison D. –
very fun! my students loved it
Miss Moree’s Musical Adventures (Teacher-Author) –
This is perfect for the last weeks of school! I also like how all pencils will end up being different. I’m going to keep the pattern sheet; I can use it with other colouring pictures too if that’s allowed!
Kris P. –
Very helpful on short notice and easy to run with the students!
Caitlin H. –
My students loved this activity!
Nicole D. –
Used this lesson for my emergency supply plans! I love that it was a no setup activity and was very self explanatory! Easy to leave in case anything ever happened and I did not have a lesson plan prepared for a guest teacher.
Skbly Art Projects and Clip Art (Teacher-Author) –
Perfect sub lesson to leave for all ages!
Christy Kinlaw –
Perfect to leave for a sub in art class to reinforce the artists they are learning!
Stacy K. –
Fun activity!
Raemie S. –
So easy and fun to do! My students loved this activity!
Sandra B. –
Terrific beginning of the year art project!
Ann W. –
Great beginning of the year activity.
Lisa C. –
A colourful and creative addition to my artroom!
Holly Langlois –
Students loved this! It was a great beginning of the year Art activity!
2 Smart Wenches (Teacher-Author) –
Great activity for the beginning of the school year.
French Toast Lessons (Teacher-Author) –
Merci! Mes ЋlЏves (et enseignante supplЋante) ont bien aimЋ ! 🙂
Susan S. –
Great Idea! Fun for me and also easy for a “non-artsy” sub to follow!!!!
Candace E. –
Thanks my students had so much fun designing covers for their drawing journals! 🙂
Teresa C. –
Students loved this at the beginning of the year when they were done their work early.
Brigid G. –
I love this pencil. I used this the first week of school.
Lincoln F. –
Both the children and I really enjoyed this activity.
Kyle H. –
Great sub lesson!
Live Teach Dogs (Teacher-Author) –
My students love these!
Whitney P. –
This was a great way to start the year with my 2nd graders. Lots of views in the hallway by other grades.
Samantha H Williams –
My kids LOVED this!
Miranda K. –
Great to leave for a sub or for a special activity for early finishers!
Jill K. –
Fun activity for the 1st week of school.
march2 (Teacher-Author) –
Easy to use and no prep!
Gabrielle B. –
My students loved it!
Heather M. –
Fun for a beginning of the year
Kendra G. –
i LOVE these rolling dice games and the kids get a huge kick out playing them.
Bingham’s Bunch (Teacher-Author) –
My students loved this activity.
Verna Lynn G. –
Very cool project – thanks!!
Noell Bautista –
“It was really fun!” is exactly what one of my students commented about this project. We added our pencils to an Acrostic poem (PENCIL). They loved the designs and creating a pencil to go with their poem. Thank you for creating a fun project for my students!
Stephanie V. –
Nice quick art activity!
MissMoss –
I use these for sub plans or early finisher art choices; the kids love it!
Melissa A. –
My students loved this activity. Thanks!
Janice M. –
Ready to go! Thanks
Kimberly Darron –
During the beginning of the year we do a lot of testing, so students need to be seated and working on something quietly. This was perfect! They loved it and I loved that it kept them occupied so I could test reading levels.
Heidi P. –
Easy filler for sub plans!
Miss Valzy –
Fantastic activity! So simple and clear that I was able to leave it with a substitute teacher and she was able to follow it step by step! Thanks!
Rebecca S. –
Great for my art elective!
Elise L. –
I’m very excited to try this with my students.
Amanda D. –
My students loved having extra pencil templates to experiment with all of the different patterns!
Donuts and Desks (Teacher-Author) –
I’m printing this activity and leaving in my emergency sub plans folder, but that means I’m going to miss it and it’s SO COOL! Thanks for a great low prep activity!
Elizabeth Y. –
FUN, FUn Fun!! Thank you!
Megan H. –
Looking forward to using this in the fall.
Lori M. –
Already in my lesson plans for the first week of school. Fun activity plus teaching an element of art! Thank you!
Darcel I. –
Great resource! Love the endless possibilities! I also liked that since the students had a visual of the different designs they got right to work. They didn’t have to figure out how to draw it, they could trace if they wanted to!
Chris B. –
Students loved this activity!
Blake W. –
Can’t wait to use during first week of school.
Elizabeth D. –
Easy to use! Perfect activity for the first week of school!
Megan B. –
Cute for the start of school!
Jenifer S. –
Great Friday activity!
Robin B. –
Quick and easy. Thanks!
Janet K. –
Great back to school activity to use.
Janelle B. –
My students thoroughly enjoyed designing their pencils. Thank you!
Buyer –
These quick lessons are perfect for end of the year activities. The kids love them!
Managing the Mess (Teacher-Author) –
Great emergency sub plan!
Sharon G. –
I just love this idea….roll and learn ….no extra planning….This is wonderful….ThANKS
Ashley J. –
Love ALL your Roll Arts
Tammy B. –
Neat art activity! Results are fantastic.
Wendy Sorce –
Perfect for after testing activity.
Shannon K. –
used this for a sub! it was perfect
Kristen C. –
Can’t wait to try this art activity out with my class!
Victoria Ross –
A perfect back to school activity.
Buyer –
This product is awesome! I wanted to decorate my classroom with a pencil theme and using the pencils my kids will be making will be such a nice memory to have for next year.
Emmy Eichner –
LOVE this project. Super cute- we used it for our calendar, and it was perfect.
Kendra Kashycke –
I used this project with an after school art workshop. I didn’t think EVERYONE would like the worksheet, because of the age range I had in the workshop (K-5th grades). But honestly, everyone liked designing their pencils. The younger students didn’t follow the directions exactly, but still enjoyed drawing the patterns and the older students really got into rolling the dice to find a pattern. I wasn’t expecting it to keep them engaged as long as it did. SUCCESS!
Amber Ann R. –
Kids loved this idea and concept
Emily Nielsen –
I love all of these!!
Teresa Rogers –
Great idea to leave in a Sub-Tub or for emergency plans.
Christine de March –
These are really fun!
LK H. –
This is going to be so much fun for my 4th graders! I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Thanks for this.
Kerry P. –
Challenging, fun and great end products!
Jennifer Bennett –
This was a great first week activity for my class!
Jodi W. –
This art project comes in handy for sub days. Thanks!
Nancy B. –
An awesome lesson for a sub!
Artsy Ivie (Teacher-Author) –
This art sub plan is so simple, clean, and provides everything. It is so perfect for me as an art-on-a-cart teacher. I am able to save the file on the computer to have the sub project for students to see directions.
Valerie W. –
I love them for me and my students. So fun!
Karen Schroeder –
My class enjoyed this activity!
Miss G in Grade 3 (Teacher-Author) –
I did this during student teaching with my third graders for a beginning of the year activity to break up all the routine practice and they loved it! It also provided a very pretty classroom decoration for back to school night.
Nicole L. –
My students really enjoyed this activity. I left it for an occasional teacher to do, and she loved it too!
Erica K. –
have this in my emergency sub plans. Haven’t had to use it yet, but looks very simple with low prep!
Jennifer Y. –
Great start of the year activity.
Lori B. –
Quick and easy for the sub. The kids really enjoyed this project. Perfect for the beginning of the year.
SHARON KUDLACEK –
Loved this! Went along with great with a STEMS project we did!
Nicki P. –
Love it for my fast finishers!
Angela P. –
Enjoyable and easy to use.
Gisele Amero –
Perfect lesson for a sub to do while I am away and it is low prep!
Rachel J. –
Love this for art class!
Amy J. –
Students loved it and I hope to use it in many of my projects.
Leisha C. –
Cant wait to use this with my kiddos
Haley R. –
I LOVE this! Even my 2nd graders could do this!
Beth H. –
Beautiful package of great art ideas! these work wonderful for the fast finishers and kids that need extra activities!
Davina Whiteley –
Used it with great success in my 3rd & 4th Grade class!
Laurie E. –
Great for sub plans
Eliza Dorn –
Great sub lesson – thank you!
Charla Holt –
These will make a great sub plan. Thanks!
Mary C. –
Love this! My students pencils turned out amazing!
Judy F. –
What fun!! I used this product with my Middle School Art class, requiring them to use different drawing medium for their designs. I can’t wait to see their pencil designs when they present them in next week’s class! Thanks for a imaginative activity at a reasonable price!
Brenda R. –
Love this. Making them into bookmarks
davida tyson –
I absolutely love this. We will use it to decorate our door since I’m the Writing teacher. 🙂
Marshelia Williams –
Thank you. Its just what I needed.
Jennifer L. –
I am so excited to have the kids do this!
Karen C. –
I’ll be back. My students LOVED this activity!
Jessica H. –
The students love it, we are using it for a title page!
Buyer –
What a great idea! Thanks!
Melissa B. –
I love these! Do you have a bundle?
Sped CafŽ with Miss J (Teacher-Author) –
My students are using these as covers for their art journals. They turned out great!
Kimberly W. –
I love this project!! I can’t wait to use this in my classroom!
The Teacher’s Desk 6 (Teacher-Author) –
I purchased this item to accompany the study of the canonization of Mother Teresa on Sept. 4, 2016. Mother Teresa said, “I am a small pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world!” The unique of each pencil designed reflects the uniqueness of each individual created by God. My kiddos will reflect on how they, like Mother Teresa, are that small, unique pencil in God’s hand.