A DIY tutorial to make a crayon holder. Build this simple yet functional crayon holder for anyone who loves to color. A super easy gift idea.
Ana made the most simple plans for this crayon holder. It’s just 2 cuts and lots of holes. I’m guessing you probably already have some 1×3 scraps lying around for this build.
I opted to add the word ‘crayons’ on front in rainbow paint colors. But of course you could personalize this crayon holder with the child’s name too. And let’s not forger all those adults who love coloring too! Heck this is a great gift for any age.
In place of the bottom board I simply glued the crayon holder onto a 3/4″ piece of plywood. My plywood is cut at 9 1/2″ x 15″ in order to accommodate a 9″ x 12″ pad of paper.
You could make this portable lap tray any size to fit your paper pad and I guarantee kids will love taking their portable lap tray in the car everywhere they go.
How to build a crayon holder:
Step 1: Follow Ana’s plans and cut your lumber.
Step 2: Glue and clamp 2 boards together. Be sure to wipe away any excess glue.
Next print out the crayon holder template which is a guide to make the holes. Click here for free printable template.
Step 1: Take the paper template and fold it in half then punch out the holes:
Step 2: Line up template on the wood piece and mark holes with a pencil:
Clamp the board to your workbench and be sure there is a scrap board underneath:
Use a 3/8″ drill bit – this fits crayons, pencils and skinny markers:
I added a piece of tape on the drill bit to mark the depth. Just deep enough to go through two board but not the scrap piece underneath.
Now glue on the last board (the one with no holes).
And clamp:
Sand smooth.
Print out the lettering, I used Verdana font at 130 point.
Line up the lettering over wood and using a ballpoint pen trace letters.
The pressure of the pen will leave an indent in the wood:
Paint on and inside the indent.
Fill with crayons and you’re ready to wrap up and give.
Thanks Ana for working with me on this Handmade Holiday series. I now have a full arsenal of hand built gifts to give thanks to your free plans.
MUITO BOA ESSA IDÉIA JAME,EU ADORAR.UM FELIZ NATAL PARA VOCÊ E SUA FAMILIA.BEIJO.VALÉRIA.(BRASIL).
Well this is just fabulous! So glad I stopped by from the DIY Show Off party to check it out. Pinning now!
– Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body {www.designertrapped.com}
Wow, this is genius! I love to see colouring pens or pencils all lined up just asking to be used, they look so tempting! and the lap tray bit is just brilliant.
Did I miss something? The instructions say it will hold 32 crayons, but I only counted 29 crayon holes. Where do the other three crayons go?
At just over 8″ long this crayon holder packs a punch with 29 crayon slots. And if you want space for more crayons you could make it longer.
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I love this,, I wish I had seen this earlier. Im saving to make for birthday gifts and happies for Christmas this year. Thanks for sharing.
Has anyone made a printable template?
Great idea Steve, I will update the post with a template soon.
Did a printable template ever get added to the post? Thanks!
Hi Kerri, It is your lucky day. I had a few minutes to put together the template and I have added it to the tutorial above. The free printable crayon holder template is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PvLlZvhT7w5BumMsGF65CxeoiuXws4D9/view?usp=sharing
Wow! What service! Thanks so much!! Excited to make this for my 2 nieces!