When I was a child, we used to make binoculars out of the cardboard inner tubes from toilet paper and kitchen rolls. These days there are so many more ideas floating around for turning that same humble cardboard tube into something fun. Score brownie points with these creative toilet paper roll crafts for kids to make.
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Save your toilet rolls so you can build up a stash for rainy days, then try some of these fun ideas.
10 Creative Toilet Paper Roll Crafts to Try
Toilet Paper Roll Airplanes
Image courtesy of PinkStripeySocks
We love these fun airplanes from the blog PinkStripeySocks. Leslie has even provided a template for all the fiddly parts, so your airplane can be fit to fly in no time.
Toilet Paper Roll Octopus
Image courtesy of Kids Activities
It’s amazing what you can create with a toilet paper roll, a hole punch and some leftover wool. We love these fun octopuses from the Kids Activities Blog.
You might also enjoy 10 Owl Crafts That Will Be a Hoot to Make With the Kids & Mess-Free No-Glue Crafts for Preschoolers
Toilet Paper Roll Bowling
Image courtesy of Color Made Happy
These fun toilet paper skittles are easy to make and are suitable for both younger and older kids to play with. Get the instructions on Color Made Happy.
Toilet Paper Roll Cars
Image courtesy of Handimania
We found these fun cars on Handimania. Dominika has included a step-by-step tutorial to make it even easier to create these fun cars that will give the kids hours of enjoyment.
Toilet Paper Roll Love Bugs
Image courtesy of The Craft Train
Directions to make these cute love bugs are over on Red Ted Art. They were created by Kate at The Craft Train for a Valentine’s article, but they’re cute enough to make at any time of the year.
You might also enjoy Easy Pipe Cleaner Crafts That Your Kids Will Love
Toilet Paper Roll Snakes
Image courtesy of Crafts By Amanda
Get out the poster paints, stick-on eyes and scissors, and create these fun toilet paper roll snakes from Crafts by Amanda.
Toilet Paper Roll Fairy House
Image courtesy of Red Ted Art
Create a cute fairy house village from toilet paper rolls, felt and scissors. Add your smallest dolls or a few pipe cleaner people, and build a little village green with shops to match.
You might also enjoy 15 Simple Summer Crafts for Kids
Toilet Paper Roll Flowers
Image courtesy of The Best Ideas For Kids
These cute paper flowers are easy to make, and all the instructions are over on The Best Ideas for Kids.
Toilet Paper Roll Unicorns
Image courtesy of Kidscraftroom.com
We love these adorable toilet paper roll unicorns from Kids Craft Room — you’ll need some yarn as well as your toilet rolls and paint to decorate your unicorns.
Toilet Paper Roll Bugs
Kids usually love bugs of all shapes and sizes, so try making ladybirds, butterflies and bees from toilet paper rolls. Blitsy.com has an easy tutorial for making a ladybird out of a toilet paper roll.
Over to you now — have you any other ideas for toilet paper roll crafts? Tell us in the comments box below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are toilet paper roll crafts suitable for?
Most of these crafts work well for preschoolers through to primary school age, especially with a grown-up on hand to help with cutting or gluing the trickier parts. Older kids can usually manage the templates and painting independently.
What materials do I need besides toilet paper rolls?
It depends on the craft, but common extras include scissors, glue, poster paint, wool or yarn, felt, pipe cleaners and googly eyes. Check the linked tutorial for each craft for the full list before you start.
How can I store toilet paper rolls until I’m ready to craft?
A shoebox or a large jar in a cupboard works well. Rinse and dry any rolls that might have picked up dampness, and keep a stash going so you’re always ready for a rainy afternoon.
Are these crafts messy?
A few involve paint, so it’s worth covering the table or doing them outdoors if the weather allows. Most of the others — like the octopus or the fairy house — are fairly tidy and glue-based.
You Might Also Like
- 10 Owl Crafts That Will Be a Hoot to Make With the Kids
- Mess-Free No-Glue Crafts for Preschoolers
- Easy Pipe Cleaner Crafts That Your Kids Will Love
- 15 Simple Summer Crafts for Kids
Looking for more rainy-day inspiration? Browse our full collection of craft ideas for kids and save your favourites for the next wet afternoon.
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