DIY Paint Markers

Paint markers and crayons are used in idenical fashion.

Making paint makers is a creative craft idea to boost the visual art skills of children. Paint markers allow children to apply acrylic or oil colors, for example, in an identical fashion as drawing. Designing your markers with narrow PVC tubing and high-density urethane foam gives your craft a handle and tip similar to a real marker. Cover the handle with a paper mache coating to provide a slightly uneven surface, helpful for gripping.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Hack saw
• 1/4-by-5-inch PVC tube
• Metal scrapper
• Abrasive sanding pad
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon or other spice (optional)
• Pot
• Small bowl
• 1-by-3-inch newspaper strips (multiple)
• 1-by-3-inch paper towel strips (multiple)
• 1/4-by-6-inch high-density urethane foam strip
• 1/8-inch dowel rod or drinking straw (optional)

Instructions

1. Slide on a pair of work gloves to protect your skin. Cut a 1/4-inch PVC tube to a length of 5 inches using a hack saw. Remove any plastic burrs from the cut end of the tube with a metal scraper. Dull each end of the tube with an abrasive sanding pad.

2. Boil 1 cup water and 1 cup flour into a pot for 3 minutes. Add 1 tsp. cinnamon or other spice to give the mix a pleasant aroma. Allow 5 minutes for the mix to cool. Pour the mix into a small bowl.

3. Soak a 1-by-3-inch newspaper strip into the mix. Press the strip into the tube. Repeat until the tube is covered by newspaper. Avoid covering either of the tube ends.

4. Soak a 1-by-3-inch paper towel strip into the mix. Press the strip into the tube. Repeat until the tube is covered by paper towel. Avoid covering either of the tube ends. Allow three hours for the tube to dry.

5. Insert a 1/4-by-6-inch strip of high-density urethane foam through the tube. The 1-inch tip extending from the tube acts as the marker tip. Press the additional foam out through the end of the marker using a 1/8-inch dowel rod or drinking straw, if necessary, to expose a fresh tip.

References

• DLTK Kids: How to Paper Mache
• Science Buddies; Make Your Own Markers; Sara Agee; March 18, 2011