Crayola Art Party
By: Julie Pederson / Southern Hospitality Company
For my granddaughter Harper’s fifth birthday, her mom planned an art-themed celebration, which was absolutely perfect for Harper, given her love for all things creative. Whether she’s drawing and coloring (never outside the lines!) or painting, Harper is always busy expressing herself artistically. Wanting to contribute something fun and personal to the party, I decided to help decorate their home with larger-than-life art supplies. After some inspiration from Pinterest—my go-to source of creative ideas—I set my sights on making oversized colored pencils that would add a playful, artistic flair to the party.
Materials & Tools
Drop Cloth: Because, let’s face it—crafting can get messy!
Pool Noodles (Green, Blue, and Yellow): These made the perfect pencil bodies. I found them for just $1 each at Dollar Tree.
Styrofoam Cones: These would serve as the pencil tips. I picked up a pack from Walmart’s craft section—they were affordable and perfect for the job.
Paint: I chose a bold color palette of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and pink (Harper’s favorite). The blue paint came from Dollar Tree, and I mixed it with some other paints I already had from Walmart.
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: To hold everything securely in place.
Craft Knife: To cut the pool noodles and Styrofoam cones to the right size.
Paintbrushes: For painting the pool noodles and cones.
EZ Tracer: Portable projector for image reproduction.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Crayola Pencil Box
I started by creating the “pencil box” to hold the oversized pencils. Using a cardboard box (you could repurpose any small box), I cut out a dip in the top to create the perfect spot for the pencils to stick out. Doing this step first helped me figure out how long the pencils needed to be to stand up and be visible in the box.
2. Prepare the Styrofoam Cones (Pencil Tips)
Next, I worked on the Styrofoam cones that would form the pencil tips. I trimmed them to the right size so they would fit snugly onto the ends of the pool noodles. I even shaved the cones down a little to ensure a perfect fit. This small detail helped make the pencils look more realistic, and the final result was fantastic!
3. Cutting the Pool Noodles (Pencil Bodies)
To add a bit of visual interest, I cut the pool noodles to different heights. This created a dynamic, playful look, making the pencils look like they were all different sizes. I also made sure the noodles were long enough to stand out of the cardboard pencil box at just the right height.
4. Painting the Pencils
Now came the fun part—painting! I applied two coats of bright paint to the pool noodles, covering their original color and achieving a vibrant finish. I let each coat dry before applying the next one. For the Styrofoam cones, I painted them a light cream color to mimic the inside of a real pencil. Once that dried, I painted the tips to match the color of each pool noodle, replicating a realistic pencil point.
5. Assembling the Pencils
Once the paint was dry, I used my hot glue gun to carefully attach the Styrofoam cones to the ends of the pool noodles, ensuring they were secure. I let the glue dry completely to make sure the tips wouldn’t budge.
6. Creating the Pencil Holder
For the finishing touch, I painted the cardboard box in green and yellow to resemble a Crayola pencil box. I added the Crayola logo using green paint—though it wasn’t an exact match, I like to think of it as my “artistic rendition.” It added a whimsical, charming touch to the display! I STRONGLY recommend any DIY-ers to invest in a portable tracer. This will make your crafting 100x easier.
When everything was dry, I eagerly placed the oversized pencils into the pencil box. The final result was a colorful, fun display that was the perfect addition to Harper’s art party! When I showed Harper the pencils, her face lit up with pure joy, and my heart swelled with happiness knowing I had contributed something so special to her celebration.
This project was simple, yet so rewarding. It was a wonderful way to use my creativity to show Harper and her family how much I care. The jumbo pencils were the perfect décor for the party and will surely be a fun memory for years to come. While this could have easily been a craft we could have done together, I decided to keep it a surprise for her big day. The pencils also made for great photo ops and were an excellent way to capture those cherished moments.
-Julie Pederson / Southern Hospitality Co.
Products Used:
About the Author:
Julie Pederson is a talented interior designer with a passion for creating beautiful and functional spaces. A proud alumna of Texas Christian University, she has spent years transforming homes for clients across Georgia, delivering countless stunning makeovers that reflect her keen eye for design.
Over the past fifteen years, Julie has expanded her expertise to include custom invitations and event décor, helping to elevate celebrations with her creative flair. In 2016, she teamed up with her daughter, Ashlyn, to launch Southern Hospitality Company on Etsy, and together they have nurtured it into a thriving business.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Julie cherishes time spent with her grown children and three beloved grandchildren. Known as the ultimate hostess, she has a gift for floral design and enjoys decorating seasonally to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Whether it’s cooking elaborate meals for family gatherings or crafting beautiful spaces, Julie brings a touch of love and creativity to everything she does. Her commitment to enhancing both homes and celebrations makes her a true standout in the world of design.
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One response to “Crayola Art Party”
Such a cute and fun craft for the kids!