Crafty Kids Corner: 7 Playful P-touch Projects for Little Hands

If you grew up typing numbers into a calculator, flipping it upside down, and cracking up at the “secret words,” you’ll appreciate this — a Brother P-touch label maker takes that same goofy fun and turns it up ten notches. The difference? Those silly words can now stick anywhere.

As the owner of PtouchDirect.com for nearly 20 years — and a proud grandfather of three — I’ve spent plenty of afternoons with little hands helping me print labels for everything from toy bins to the family dog’s water bowl. Sometimes they’re serious, sometimes they’re silly, and sometimes they’re just completely random (we still have “Monster Headquarters” stuck on our fridge).

And yes, one of my personal favorites — which I proudly wear on occasion and may have even influenced its creation — is a label that simply says: “Grandpa Rocks!” The grandkids think it’s hilarious, I think it’s true, and it’s now become a bit of a tradition.

The beauty of using a P-touch with kids is that it’s inexpensive, mess-free, and surprisingly educational. You can sneak in spelling practice, encourage reading, and spark creativity — all while giving them a way to be totally goofy. Whether you’re a parent looking to keep the kids busy or a grandparent hoping to create a few more laughs and memories, here are seven projects that turn a label maker into the ultimate kid-friendly craft tool.

---

Why P-touch Projects Are Perfect for Kids

Before we dive into the ideas, here’s why a Brother P-Touch label maker belongs in your craft drawer:

• • • Budget-friendly: A single tape cartridge lasts through dozens (if not hundreds) of projects.
    • No mess: No glue, glitter, or paint to clean up — just peel, stick, and smile.
    • Educational: Every label is a mini spelling, reading, or categorization lesson.
    • Creative outlet: Kids get to pick fonts, icons, tape colors, and wording.
    • Portable fun: Whether at home, visiting grandparents, or even in the car, it’s easy to bring along.

---

The Secret Ingredient: Built-In Clip Art & Symbols

One of the most underrated features of many Brother P-touch label makers is the library of built-in clip art and symbols. You can add stars, trees, dinosaurs, cakes, cookies, music notes, smiley faces, hearts, and dozens more icons directly onto labels — no extra printer or supplies needed.

For kids, these icons aren’t just decoration — they make the labels more fun and instantly recognizable, especially for younger ones who can’t read yet. Imagine:

• A toy airplane with a pilot hat or plane icon.
• A train with a puff of smoke symbol on the engine.
• A dollhouse room labeled with a tiny heart or cupcake.
• A toy truck marked with a wheel or truck icon.
• A dinosaur collection with each species name and a dino clip art next to it.

When I use these with my grandkids, the icons are often the biggest hit. Sometimes they’ll print an entire label with nothing but a row of stars or a line of tiny cupcakes — and honestly, it’s hard not to join in.

---

1. Personalized School Supply Labels

If you’ve ever had a pencil or lunchbox disappear into the school supply void, you know the value of a good label. With a P-touch label maker, kids can design and print their own name labels for pencils, notebooks, binders, and lunch containers.

Let them choose their favorite font, tape color, and a fun clip art — maybe a basketball for a sports-loving kid or a paw print for an animal fan. Even better, sneak in some spelling practice by having them type their name and a few “bonus” words like their school’s name or class subject.

---

2. Custom Bookmark Creations

Bookmarks are quick, affordable, and endlessly customizable. Print a strip of tape with your child’s name, a favorite book quote, or a silly reading slogan like “Shhh… Brain at Work.” Stick it to a piece of cardstock, punch a hole at the top, and tie a ribbon for flair.

Adding clip art makes them even better — a rocket for space stories, a crown for princess books, or a line of cupcakes for a budding chef.

---

3. Toy Bin & Playroom Tags

Turning clean-up into a game works wonders. Have kids create illustrated labels (word + icon) for toy bins — “Blocks” with a little brick icon, “Cars” with a wheel, or “Stuff That Makes Noise” for the loud toys.

You can also label individual toys:

• Name each plane in the toy airport.
• Add “Express Service” to a train car.
• Put “Garage” on the toy truck parking area.
• Give each dinosaur in the herd its own name tag.
• Label dollhouse rooms (“Kitchen,” “Bedroom,” “Royal Throne Room” for fun).

Younger kids match pictures to words, while older kids can focus on proper spelling. Plus, grandparents will appreciate being able to find toys without dumping out three bins in the process.

Grandparent Bonus: I once visited my daughter’s house and found a toy bin labeled “Grandpa’s Tools” — it was full of toy hammers, screwdrivers, and a plastic chainsaw. Not exactly my workshop, but I’ll take it.

---

4. “Chef’s Helper” Kitchen Labels

Get the kids involved in meal prep without the mess by letting them label jars, containers, and snack bins. Bright tapes can mark a “Kids’ Snack Zone” or rename common items with silly twists — “Giggle Juice” for juice boxes, “Magic Dust” for flour.

Pair them with a clip art cookie or cake icon and suddenly the pantry looks like it belongs in a kids’ cookbook.

---

5. DIY Gift Tags & Party Favors

Labels make gift tags and party favors look personal without adding cost. Kids can print “From Kamden” or go wild with messages like “Property of Captain Sillypants.” Attach them to small bags with ribbon or tape them directly to wrapping paper.

This is also a sneaky way to teach proper capitalization and punctuation in a fun, hands-on way. And don’t forget icons — balloons, cupcakes, or a wrapped gift symbol take the tag to the next level.

---

6. Outdoor Adventure Tags

P-touch laminated tapes are weatherproof, making them perfect for garden plant markers. Let kids label flowers, herbs, or vegetables — real names like “Basil” or made-up names like “Zombie Lettuce” and “Magic Beans.”

And for an extra touch? Add a tiny tree icon for herbs, a sun for flowers, or a carrot for veggies. Kids love “owning” their plant, and the icons make it easy for everyone to spot.

---

7. “Imagination Labels” Game

This is where the upside-down calculator fun comes to life. Give kids the P-touch and let them label anything in the house with ridiculous names. Closets become “Dragon Caves,” the fridge turns into “The Snack Fortress,” and my recliner? It once wore a label that said “Grandpa's Snoozer”

Icons make it even better — dragons, stars, smiley faces, whatever matches the joke. And yes, “Grandpa Rocks!” might just make an appearance again, because some traditions are worth keeping.

---

Safety & Supervision Tips

• Always help younger children with the tape cutter.
• Use large fonts for easier handling and reading.
• Let younger kids choose tape colors and icons, while older ones type and apply labels themselves.

---

Wrapping It Up: Making Memories One Label at a Time

As someone who’s been selling Brother P-touch products for nearly two decades — and who has spent many weekends making labels with grandkids — I can tell you these little projects are more than just crafts. They’re opportunities to laugh together, teach without it feeling like teaching, and create keepsakes that make you smile every time you see them.

Best of all, they’re budget-friendly, mess-free, and work for kids of all ages. Whether you’re helping with homework, labeling snack bins, putting names on toy planes and trains, or turning the couch into “Pillow Mountain,” you’ll be building more than labels — you’ll be building memories.

So grab your P-touch, pop in a colorful tape, scroll through those built-in icons, and let the creativity roll. And if you need the right machine or tape for the job, you know where to find me — at PtouchDirect.com — where labels aren’t just about organization… they’re about fun, family, and a little bit of harmless goofiness.