Fun Elementary History Craft for Kids: Easy DIY Quill Pen Craft

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We have spent the last few weeks learning about the War of 1812 — and honestly, it still feels wild that second graders are diving into early American history! While the content is important, keeping elementary students engaged during history lessons can sometimes be a challenge.

So I decided to add a hands-on history craft to make learning more memorable… and it was a HUGE hit!

We made DIY quill pens as a simple War of 1812 craft activity. The best part? It uses minimal supplies, comes together quickly, and can be completed in one afternoon.

If you're looking for an easy elementary history craft to pair with your history lesson plans, this is it!

🛒 Classroom Supplies I Used (Amazon Links)

• This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

  To make this craft easy and stress-free, here are the exact classroom-tested supplies I used:

  ☕ Coffee Filters

  These absorb watercolor beautifully and create that soft feathered effect. I recommend grabbing a large pack if you plan to use them for multiple crafts throughout the year.

  👉 Grab the coffee filters here

  🖊️ Stick Pens

• The first time I did this we used pencils, and the end result just was much better with the pens.

  The stick pens make the quills look authentic.

  👉 Get the stick pens I recommend here

  🔵 Glue Dots (Highly Recommend!)

  These are a game-changer for one-day crafts.
  ✔️ No drying time
  ✔️ No mess
  ✔️ Strong hold

  If you teach elementary, you will use these constantly.

  👉 Shop the glue dots here

  🎨 Watercolor Paint Set

  The colors blend beautifully on coffee filters and dry quickly.

  👉 See the watercolor set here

🪶 How to Make Quill Pens with Students (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Pass out two coffee filters, one white pen, and a glue dot to each student. Set up watercolor stations ahead of time to make transitions smooth.

Step 2: Cut the Feather Shape

Have students cut a large teardrop shape out of both coffee filters.

I modeled the shape on the board and let students create their own versions. We ended up with lots of different sizes and styles — which made them even more fun!

If you prefer more structure, you can:

• Provide a feather template

• Pre-draw the feather shape on the coffee filters

Step 3: Add Feather Details

Students cut small slits along the edges to create a feathered look.

Again, I let them do this independently, but you could absolutely provide a sample or template if needed.

Step 4: Secure the Pen

Place the pen between the two coffee filter feathers and secure with a glue dot.

I specifically chose glue dots because:

• They hold immediately

• No dry time

• No mess

• Perfect for one-day classroom crafts

Step 5: Paint the Feathers

Now for the fun part!

Students used watercolor paints to decorate their quills. The coffee filters absorb the watercolor beautifully and create soft, blended colors.

☕ Bonus Extension Activity: Tea-Stained Paper Writing

To take this elementary history activity a step further, we stained paper using tea bags to give it an “aged” look.

Once the paper dried, students used their new quill pens to write classroom rights (tying into our social studies discussions).

It made the lesson feel immersive and helped students connect to what writing might have looked like during the War of 1812.

Why This History Craft Works So Well in Elementary Classrooms

• ✔️ Engages reluctant learners

• ✔️ Minimal, affordable supplies

• ✔️ Completed in one class period

• ✔️ Integrates art with social studies

• ✔️ Pinterest-friendly visual results

I absolutely love activities that:

• Can be done in one day

• Don’t require a ton of prep

• Reinforce academic content

• Keep students excited about learning

This easy DIY quill pen craft checks every box.

If you try this history craft in your classroom, I would love to hear how it goes!

And if you're coming from Pinterest — don’t forget to save this post so you can come back to it later when you’re planning your history lessons 😊