14 DIY Pen Holder Ideas for a Pretty Desk Setup

Keeping kids busy or finding a simple activity after school can be tough, especially on rainy days. Pen holder crafts are perfect because they turn everyday items into something useful and pretty.

In this list, you’ll find fun, simple, and colorful DIY pen holders that work for home, classrooms, or a quick weekend project.

They use easy supplies, look great on any desk, and help kids organize their space. Let’s jump into the ideas!

1. Rainbow Paper Roll Pen Cup

This pen holder is a bright paper roll wrapped in rainbow strips with a neat base, so it stands tall and cheerful on any desk. Kids love choosing their own color order and seeing the stripes build up; it’s easy and very satisfying for beginners.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean toilet paper roll or cut paper towel roll
2. Cardstock circle for the base
3. Colored paper in rainbow colors
4. Glue stick or white glue
5. Clear tape (optional)

How to make it:

1. Cut a cardstock circle slightly larger than the roll and glue the roll onto the center to form the base.
2. Cut colored paper into 1-inch strips and wrap them around the roll, gluing each layer.
3. Add a name label or small sticker rainbow at the front.
4. Let dry, then fill with pens and display.

2. Washi Tape Tin Can Holder

This holder uses an empty, smooth-edged tin can covered in washi tape patterns for a clean, modern look. Kids enjoy mixing stripes, dots, and florals like stickers, and the instant results make it a quick win.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean, label-free tin can (edges smoothed)
2. Assorted washi tapes
3. Acrylic paint (optional base coat)
4. Foam brush (optional)
5. Felt for bottom (optional)

How to make it:

1. If desired, paint the can a solid color and let it dry.
2. Wrap washi tape bands around the can, lining up edges neatly.
3. Add a felt circle to the bottom to protect the desk.
4. Pop in pens and admire the patterns.

3. Painted Terracotta Pot Pen Keeper

This is a small terracotta pot painted in soft pastels with simple shapes, turning a plant pot into a cute desk cup. Kids like painting big areas and stamping dots, and the pot feels sturdy and grown-up.

Materials Needed:

1. Small terracotta pot (3–4 inches)
2. Acrylic paints in 2–3 colors
3. Paintbrushes and sponge dauber
4. Painter’s tape (optional for stripes)
5. Clear sealer (optional)

How to make it:

1. Wipe the pot clean and tape off any stripe areas if using.
2. Paint the base color, then add stripes, dots, or hearts with a brush or sponge.
3. Seal with a clear coat if desired for durability.
4. Let dry fully and fill with pens.

4. Cardboard House Desk Caddy

This pen holder looks like a tiny house made from a small carton, with a slanted roof and windows drawn on. Kids enjoy “building” and decorating the house with markers, making it feel like a little neighborhood on the desk.

Materials Needed:

1. Small milk or juice carton (washed and dried)
2. Craft knife or scissors (adult help)
3. Colored paper or paint
4. Glue stick
5. Markers or stickers

How to make it:

1. Cut the carton to desired height and keep the top slanted for a roof look.
2. Cover the sides with colored paper or paint the outside.
3. Draw windows, doors, and add stickers for details.
4. Let dry and stand it up as a pen holder.

5. Popsicle Stick Fence Cup

This holder looks like a mini white picket fence wrapped around a cup, giving a sweet garden vibe. Kids love lining up the sticks and choosing colors, and the fence pattern is simple but charming.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean yogurt cup or plastic cup
2. Popsicle sticks (about 20)
3. White paint or wood stain (optional)
4. Hot glue or strong craft glue
5. Small flower stickers or paper flowers (optional)

How to make it:

1. Paint popsicle sticks if desired and let dry.
2. Glue sticks upright around the outside of the cup, touching side by side.
3. Add tiny paper flowers like a garden fence.
4. Place pens inside and display.

6. Fabric-Wrapped Can Cozy

This is a smooth, fabric-covered can with a soft, cozy feel and clean edges. Kids enjoy picking favorite patterns and learning to fold tidy hems, and it looks like a store-bought organizer.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean tin can
2. Pretty cotton fabric scrap
3. Fabric glue or Mod Podge
4. Scissors
5. Ribbon or twine (optional)

How to make it:

1. Cut fabric to wrap the can with a little overlap and extra for top fold.
2. Glue fabric around the can, smoothing bubbles; fold excess over the rim.
3. Add ribbon or twine trim at the top seam.
4. Let dry and use for pens.

7. Lego Block Pen Tower

This holder is a sturdy tower built from interlocking bricks with open top cells for pens. Kids love the building challenge and bright colors, and it can be rebuilt anytime.

Materials Needed:

1. Assorted LEGO or compatible bricks
2. Flat base plate (small)
3. Optional: mini window or door pieces
4. Name tile or label (optional)

How to make it:

1. Snap a small base plate or create a base rectangle from flat bricks.
2. Build walls in a square or hexagon, leaving the center hollow.
3. Add windows, patterns, and a name tile.
4. Set on the desk and drop in pens.

8. Duct Tape Patterned Pen Holder

This holder features bold duct tape designs wrapped around a cardboard tube with a solid base, giving a sleek, shiny look. Kids enjoy using tape like stickers and seeing quick, crisp stripes.

Materials Needed:

1. Sturdy cardboard tube (chip can or mailing tube)
2. Cardboard circle for base
3. Patterned duct tape rolls
4. Scissors
5. Felt (optional bottom pad)

How to make it:

1. Cut tube to height and glue onto a cardboard circle base.
2. Wrap duct tape bands around the tube, smoothing as you go.
3. Add a felt circle to the bottom if desired.
4. Fill with pens and admire the shine.

9. Marble Swirl Jar Organizer

This pen holder is a small glass jar with a marbled paint effect inside, creating soft swirls of color. Kids enjoy swirling paint and seeing the magic patterns form without much mess.

Materials Needed:

1. Small glass jar (salsa or baby food size)
2. Acrylic paint in 2–3 colors
3. Cup for draining
4. Paper towel
5. Ribbon (optional)

How to make it:

1. Pour a little paint into the jar, add a second color, and tilt to swirl.
2. Rotate the jar to coat the inside with marbled patterns.
3. Set the jar upside down over a cup to drain excess; wipe the rim.
4. Tie a ribbon if desired and let dry before adding pens.

10. Origami Box Pen Cup

This holder is a crisp, folded paper box made from sturdy cardstock, with clean corners and a modern look. Kids like the simple folds and the sense of achievement when it stands up strong.

Materials Needed:

1. Square cardstock sheet (12×12 for larger cup)
2. Bone folder or ruler edge
3. Glue stick (optional for extra hold)
4. Stickers (optional)
5. Clear tape (optional for inside)

How to make it:

1. Follow a classic origami box fold using a square sheet, creasing well.
2. Open into a box and glue inside corners if you want extra strength.
3. Decorate with small stickers or a label.
4. Set on desk and add pens.

11. Painted Milk Carton Duo Holder

This is a rectangular holder made from a cut milk carton divided into two sections, painted in bold blocks. Kids enjoy making a two-color design and sorting pens by color or type.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean milk carton (paperboard), dried
2. Scissors
3. Acrylic paint and brushes
4. Thin cardboard divider
5. Tape and glue

How to make it:

1. Cut the carton to about 4–5 inches tall and rinse/dry well.
2. Fit and glue a thin cardboard divider inside to make two sections.
3. Paint color blocks or patterns on the outside.
4. Let dry and fill each side with different pens.

12. Beaded Tin Pencil Cup

This holder is a tin can wrapped with elastic cord threaded through large colorful pony beads, giving a playful, textured look. Kids love the beading step and the click of beads sliding into place.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean tin can
2. Elastic beading cord or strong string
3. Large pony beads
4. Tape (to hold cord while working)
5. Felt for bottom (optional)

How to make it:

1. Tape one end of the cord to the can, then wrap around, sliding beads on as you go.
2. Keep wrapping and beading until the can is covered in rows.
3. Tie off tightly and tuck the knot under beads; add felt to the bottom if desired.
4. Fill with pens and enjoy the color.

13. Nature Stick Jar Holder

This pen holder is a glass jar covered with trimmed twigs tied with twine, giving a rustic, outdoorsy style. Kids enjoy collecting sticks and building a “mini log cabin” around the jar.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean glass jar
2. Thin dry twigs (similar thickness)
3. Hot glue or strong craft glue
4. Twine or ribbon
5. Scissors/pruners (adult help)

How to make it:

1. Trim twigs to the height of the jar.
2. Glue twigs vertically around the jar, close together.
3. Tie twine around the middle for a neat finish.
4. Let dry and place pens inside.

14. Comic Page Mod Podge Cup

This holder is a can or cup covered in cut-out comic panels sealed shiny, creating a fun graphic look. Kids love picking favorite scenes and seeing them turn into a bold collage.

Materials Needed:

1. Clean tin can or sturdy paper cup
2. Old comic book pages or printed comics
3. Mod Podge and brush
4. Scissors
5. Clear sealer (optional)

How to make it:

1. Cut comic panels to fit around the can.
2. Brush Mod Podge on the can, place panels, and smooth bubbles.
3. Seal with another coat on top and let dry.
4. Add pens and enjoy the comic art.