Some of the best crafts that we can make are the ones that can be made using materials found around the house. And who doesn’t have a toilet paper roll or two laying around? Despite their unassuming cardboard appearance, toilet paper rolls can make a wonderful craft ingredient due to their versatility and lightweight properties. Here are some of our favorite toilet paper roll crafts that the kids will love!
Toilet Paper Roll Fish
While it is easy to take one look at a toilet paper roll and brainstorm craft ideas based on its shape, once you start to think outside the box it opens up a whole new world of craft ideas. Take, for example, this paper roll fish from the Craft Train. This clever idea shows the kind of possibilities that become available once you consider the steps that you can take to modify the toilet paper roll (in this case that means flattening it and making some incisions in its side to make it look like a fish!)
Toilet Paper Confetti Poppers
It doesn’t have to be New Year’s Eve in order to enjoy some good old-fashioned fun with poppers! For the uninitiated, a popper refers to a type of creation that is often used at celebratory events. It contains an assortment of glitter or other cheer-spreading materials that are designed to pop out of a contraption when pulled (hence the name “poppers”). Find out how you can make your own out of toilet paper rolls over at Smashed Peas and Carrots.
Toilet Paper Unicorns
Let’s face it: kids love unicorns! And while you could make it a point to go out and buy them all of the unicorn-themed merchandise in the world, it’s much more fun if you put this energy into making unicorn crafts at home. The paper towel roll is the ingredient that you’ll need to make a unicorn. Find out more over at Kids Craft Room.
Little Toilet Paper Monsters
Maybe unicorns aren’t quite your kid’s style — that’s a-okay with us! In this case, something like a monster just might be more up their alley. Your child could make either funny or scary monsters by following this tutorial over at Alisa Burke. This is a great activity for Halloween though it surely could be enjoyed year-round!
Toilet Paper Rocket
Rockets are often top of mind when it comes time for cardboard box crafts, but how about making miniature rockets next time at craft time? While these may not be quite as fun to sit in or play make-belief with, they are still very amusing to create! Find out how here.
Toilet Paper Roll Squid
Squids are not an animal that comes up often in kid’s crafts, and we are starting to wonder why not! Much like the more popular octopus, squids can be colourful and have a beautiful silhouette. The paper towel roll is basically designed to be a squid, since it is already the shape of their body! Find an easy-to-follow tutorial here.
Toilet Paper Caterpillar
Caterpillars are a “fan favorite” among children, and it’s easy to guess why! Not only are they colorful, but they come with a long poseable body which makes them a lot of fun to play with. You may need more than one toilet paper roll to create the ideal caterpillar —although you could always just use a paper towel roll, which is longer. Find out how you can create a friendly caterpillar from Hello Wonderful.
Toilet Paper Roll Crayons
What kid doesn’t love crayons? Okay — what adult doesn’t love crayons either? Even though these crayons made from paper rolls over at the Best ideas for Kids are not usable, they still inspire a lot of joy with their uncanny crayon appearance. This is a wonderful craft idea for a rainy weekend or home day.
Toilet Paper Cactus
Here is a craft idea that many adults will want to do on their own, even if there isn’t a kid in sight! Cactuses and succulents have become everyone’s favorite plant in recent years, mostly because they are easy to take care of and have a great aesthetic. Why not pay them tribute by imitating their look with the help of a paper toll? You can find the tutorial over at Best Ideas for Kids.
Toilet Paper Rainbow Windsock
Did you ever have a windsock in your backyard as a kid? Not only do these look pretty, but they are also a great way to teach basic scientific concepts such as wind and weather. Why not teach your child about environmentalism at the same time by showing them how to make one out of recyclable materials such as paper rolls. Find out how over at Easy Peasy and Fun.
Paper Roll Princess
There are some concepts and characters that just never get old, and princesses are one of them! Your child will be delighted to see how they can make a beautiful “paper roll princess” with minimal materials and just a bit of paint. Get the idea over at Mas and Pas.
Choo Choo Train
Choo choo! All aboard the choo choo train! Okay, so maybe this particular choo choo is not quite big enough for your kids to take a ride, but if they have miniature figurines that they enjoy playing with they can certainly take them for a ride on this train. You can adapt the idea from Kids Activities Blog.
Toilet Paper Owls
Who doesn’t love owls? This paper roll idea from Arty Crafty Kids is the best idea on this list if you have a child who loves owls. We love the way that the author of this craft tutorial cut out miniature feathers for the owls, it just makes them look all the more realistic!
Toilet Paper Apples
Toilet paper…apples? But apples are round? Think again! This tutorial from over at Non Toy Gifts will show you how you can use a paper roll to create an item as spherical as an apple. Of course, if apples aren’t your favorite fruit, you can adapt this to match your favorite one!
Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Here is another example of a craft that will actually be usable at the end! Or at least…kind of! If your child has started to take an interest in bird watching and other activities, then you have to make this pair of paper roll binoculars, as designed by the folks over at Red Ted Art. Once they have completed this craft, you can take them on a walk so that they can give them a test!
Butterfly Toilet Paper Rolls
This would not be a complete list if it weren’t for a butterfly! The cylindrical shape of a paper roll lends itself well to a butterfly’s body — it’s almost like half of the craft is done for you. You can follow the tutorial to make your own butterfly here.
Toilet Paper Roll Castle
Here is another true classic of the paper roll club! No list would be complete without at least a mention of how you can make your very own paper roll castle. You may want to add other boxes to the mix for this one so that you can end up with a castle with different columns and turrets. See an example over at DIY n Crafts.
Toilet Paper Mermaid
Mermaids are another mythical creature that many children will take much joy out of creating! There are many different ways that you could go about making a mermaid out of a paper roll, but you can see one great example over at Molly Moo Crafts. Don’t forget to add your own touch, whether it be the color of the mermaid’s fin or the color of her hair!
Toilet Paper Bunnies
These paper roll bunnies from Fabulessly Frugal make a great easter craft, although they can also be made year-round! In fact, if your child has an affinity for all things that hop around with a cottontail, then they might insist that you make this bunny craft with them multiple times throughout the year. And they’re so cute, who could blame them?
Toilet Paper Race Cars
Who says that you need to sit in a race car to be able to race them? While there is something to be said about actual race cars, we love the way that you can use these toilet paper race cars that can be used in miniature races between siblings or friends. You can even add wheels to them, if you’d like! Get the tutorial here.
With these wonderful craft ideas in mind, we hope that you will think twice before recycling your next toilet paper roll. It’s clear from these potential ideas that there is plenty of fun to be had with a discarded toilet paper roll — and it’s fun that is free, creative, and environmentally-friendly!