School's out for summer, and you know what that means - a lot of free time to keep your kids entertained! Christine Asciutto (aka TwinklePlansHerDay), a Zebra Artist Ambassador and school teacher, shared her favorite crafts using Doodlerz and Zensations Colored Pencils.

Activity 1: Make Your Wings Pop!

This easy butterfly craft uses Zebra Pen Zensations colored pencils and household items to keep the kids busy!

Let’s get started!

Materials Needed:

  • Zensations Colored Pencils
  • Brown construction paper
  • Printable Butterfly Template
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors

Step 1: Begin Crafting your Cocoon

Begin by making the cocoon or Chrysalis. Rip brown construction paper into small pieces and glue it to the toilet paper roll.


Next, print the template above and cut it out.


Step 3: Color your Butterfly

Next, color the butterfly using any of the Zensations colored pencils; just make sure that each side is symmetrical.

Step 4: Fold your Butterfly

Once the butterfly is colored, fold the butterfly into an accordion fold. You can do this by folding in half horizontally and then folding again twice.


Step 5: Refold Butterfly and Create an Antenna

Next, unfold and refold, alternating the creases to create “mountains” and “valleys” like a paper fan. Then, holding the paper flat, wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle to create the butterfly antenna.

Step 6: Make your Wings Pop

Fold the wings down and place them into the toilet paper roll. The wings should ' pop ' out when you pull the butterfly out of the cocoon by the antenna! 

Activity 2: Under the Sea

Keep this ocean craft handy for the next rainy day. You need Zebra Pen Doodlerz Classic Gel Sticks and the materials listed below.

Let’s get started!


Materials Needed:

  • Doodlerz Classic Gel Stick
  • 8x10 Yellow Cardstock
  • 7x9 Blue Cardstock
  • Glass or Cup
  • Googly Eyes
  • Glue Sticks
  • Scissors

Step 1: Fold Construction Paper

Start by gathering your supplies. Then, take a sheet of 8x10 yellow cardstock and fold it in half like a card. Next, fold a blue sheet of 7x9 cardstock and place it inside the yellow cardstock.


Step 2: Create Some Waves

With the blue piece of construction paper, draw squiggly lines starting from the folded side and stopping about one inch from the edge. Then cut along the lines and glue the outside borders onto the yellow sheet of construction paper.


Step 3: Create 3-D Waves

Next, place the construction paper upright and stick out the top and bottom layers to make it look like 3-D waves, as shown above.

 

Step 4: Trace and Cut Circles

Now it’s time to create the fish! Trace circles from a cup or round object and cut them out. You can make as many fish as you want!

Step 5: Give your Fish a Tail

Next, cut a “pizza shape” out of the side and glue on to the back of the fish as shown above. That will be the tail of your fish. You can then snip the tail with scissors to make the fringe.

Step 6: Create Colorful Fish

Now, this is the fun part! Use your Zebra Pen Doddlerz Gel Sticks to color your fish. Experiment with different color combinations, lines, and shapes. The glitter pens make the scales shimmer!

Step 7: Let your Fish Swim!

Glue googly eyes on your fish and have the fish “swim” on your card by gluing and securing them on the card. Now you have an ocean scene!



Activity 3: Twirl with a Whirligig

Make your heads spin with this fun activity! Here is a simple DIY boredom buster for kids of all ages using Zebra Doodlerz Classic Gel Sticks and the materials listed below.

Let’s get started!


Materials Needed:

  • Doodlerz Gel Sticks
  • Pencil
  • A Cup or Circle Template
  • Threading Needle – or something to poke a hole
  • Thread
  • Glue Sticks
  • Scissors

Step 1: Trace and Cut out Circles

First, trace two circles using a cup or glass. Then, trace one circle on white paper and the other circle on cardboard and cut them out.

Step 2: Color your Circle

Using a pencil, draw graphics and designs on the circles. Then, color in the circles using Doodlerz classic gel sticks.

Step 3: Glue Circles to Cardboard

Once you've completed coloring your circles, glue a circle on one side of the cardboard circle, and glue the other circle on the backside of the cardboard circle.

Step 4: Poke Holes in Circle

Next, poke two holes in the center of the circle (like buttonholes) using a knitting needle, pin, or nail. A grown-up may have to help you with this part.

Step 5: Thread String Through Holes

Next, thread the string into one hole and up through the other hole. Then tie a knot at the point where the string ends meet. Finally, center the circle to the middle of the string.

Step 6: Twirl your Whirligig!

Your Whirligig is now ready to twirl when you pull on both sides of the string! Have fun!

Looking for more crafting ideas: Check out these DIY Birthday cards!