Abstract: A combination writing instrument and a toy which functions in one case as a writing instrument and in a second case as a toy. In the preferred embodiment, a conventional ball point pen cartridge is mounted within and projects from a base at which the cartridge is grasped by a writer. A plurality of colored disks or beads are stacked one above the other in surrounding engagement with the free end of the ball point pen cartridge. When the combination is not used in the capacity of a writing instrument, the disks and beads may be removed from the ball point pen cartridge and used as a play thing to occupy the time of the user. When the disks and beads are returned to the ball point pen cartridge, they may be arranged to form a variety of different patterns depending upon the order in which the disks and beads are stacked one above the other and the color, shape and size of the disks and beads to change the appearance of the combination and provide a puzzle-like quality.