8 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids That Will Save Your Sanity on Rainy Days

Looking for a fun way to keep the kids busy while recycling recycled materials?

Empty toilet paper rolls are perfect for crafting with kids!

These cardboard tubes are something we all have lying around, and they’re ideal for creative craft projects that won’t break the bank.

We love toilet paper roll crafts because they’re super easy to make, help develop fine motor skills, and encourage kids to use their imagination while having a blast.

Plus, we’re teaching our family and little ones about recycling and helping the environment at the same time.

Get ready to turn those empty rolls into adorable animals, cool superhero cuffs, and magical decorations that your kids will be proud to show off!

1) Make a Rocket Ship

Get ready for an out-of-this-world craft that will have your kids bouncing off the walls with excitement!

We’re turning ordinary toilet paper rolls into amazing rocket ships that are perfect for imaginative play.

Grab your toilet paper roll, some colorful paper, and let’s blast off into creativity!

We love using basic craft supplies like scissors, glue, and markers to transform these humble cardboard tubes into something magical.

Your little astronauts can decorate their rockets with fun windows, flames at the bottom, and even cool patterns.

The best part? There’s no wrong way to design these spaceships!

We’ve found that keeping craft supplies organized in one spot makes this project super easy.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to teach our kiddos about recycling while they create something amazing.

Let them go wild with stickers, glitter (if you’re brave enough!), or painted designs.

Each rocket will be as unique as the little astronaut who makes it. Trust us – this craft is totally worth the minimal mess!

2) Create a Binocular Set

Let’s turn those empty toilet paper rolls into an awesome set of binoculars! This super fun craft will keep your little explorers busy and spark their imagination for outdoor adventures.

You’ll need two toilet paper rolls, some glue, and decorative materials like paint, markers, or craft foam.

Connect the rolls together using strong glue – we recommend hot glue for the best hold (with adult supervision, of course!).

Now comes the fun part! Let your mom and kids go wild with decorations and ideas.

We love using paint pens or markers to add colorful dots and shapes. Bright paper cutouts and stickers work great too!

Don’t forget to punch holes in the sides and add a ribbon so your little ones can wear their binoculars around their neck.

This makes it perfect for backyard bird watching or pretend safari adventures!

These binoculars are totally customizable – we’ve seen everything from sparkly princess versions to camouflage designs for tiny nature explorers.

The best part? You’re recycling and creating memories at the same time!

3) Craft a Royal Crown

Let’s turn a simple toilet paper roll into a fancy royal crown! This craft is perfect for little princes and princesses who love playing dress-up. We promise it’s super easy and so much fun to make.

You’ll need a toilet paper roll, paint (gold looks amazing!), scissors, and fun decorations like gems, stickers, or eco-friendly glitter.

Grab some ribbon too – we’ll use it to make sure the crown stays put on those royal heads!

Start by cutting the toilet paper roll in half lengthwise. Then cut triangle shapes along one edge to create those classic crown points.

Paint time! Gold is our fave, but any color works – let your kids pick their royal shade.

Once the paint dries, it’s decoration time!

We love adding sparkly gems and ribbons to make each crown unique.

Let the kids go wild with their creative ideas. Attach a ribbon at both ends so they can tie it under their chin.

These crowns are perfect for birthday parties, playdates, or just a regular Tuesday when we need some extra magic in our day.

Plus, they’re a great way to reuse those empty toilet paper rolls we always have lying around!

4) Design a Puppet Theatre

Let’s turn those toilet paper rolls into something magical – a mini puppet theatre that’ll keep your kiddos entertained for hours! We love how this project lets their creativity shine while recycling those cardboard tubes.

Cardboard and paper make excellent materials for creating your theatre backdrop.

We recommend using 4-5 toilet paper rolls to build a sturdy base. Stack them side by side and secure with tape or glue.

Get creative with decorating! Cut a rectangle in the middle of your backdrop for the stage opening.

Add some fabric curtains using lightweight cotton or felt to give it that authentic theatre feel.

Your mom and little ones can paint the cardboard any color they want.

Now for the fun part – making the toilet paper roll puppets!

Dress them up with colored paper, markers, and ribbons. You can create people, animals, or silly monsters – whatever sparks joy for your tiny performers.

Pop a craft stick into the bottom of each puppet so the kids can easily move them around during the show.

We guarantee hours of imaginative play and countless puppet shows in your future!

5) Construct a Mini Car

Let’s turn those empty toilet paper rolls into the cutest little cars ever! This easy craft that is super fun and perfect for kids who love anything with wheels.

You’ll need a toilet paper roll, bottle caps for wheels, paint, and some colored paper.

We love using bright colors to make these cars pop!

Start by painting your toilet paper roll – any color works, but bold colors like red, blue, or yellow make awesome race cars.

While the paint dries, let’s get creative with the details.

Cut out windows and a windshield from colored paper and glue them onto your roll.

We like to add fun details like headlights, racing stripes, or even tiny drivers!

For the wheels, grab those bottle caps and paint them black.

Once everything’s dry, glue four caps onto your car. Make sure they’re lined up so your car can actually roll!

Our favorite part is watching the kids zoom these cars around the house!

They make perfect toys for pretend play, and the best part? You probably have all the materials sitting in your recycling bin right now.

6) Build a Tiny Bird Feeder

Want to invite some feathered friends to your backyard? We’ve got the perfect craft that’s both fun and eco-friendly! Let’s turn those empty toilet paper rolls into an adorable DIY bird feeder.

First, grab your supplies – you’ll need a toilet paper roll, some peanut butter (or any nut butter substitute), bird seed, and string.

Don’t forget to wear some old clothes because this can get messy – but that’s half the fun!

Spread the peanut butter all over the outside of your toilet paper roll.

We like using a plastic knife or popsicle stick to make this step easier.

Pour some bird seed onto a plate and roll your peanut butter-covered tube through it until it’s completely covered.

Thread a piece of string through the tube and tie it into a loop.

Now comes the exciting part – hang your creation on a tree branch!

Within a few days, you’ll have some grateful little birds stopping by for a snack.

The best part? When the bird seed runs out, this feeder is totally biodegradable.

We love crafts that help our planet while teaching kids about nature!

7) Shape an Airplane Model

Let’s turn those empty toilet paper rolls into the coolest little airplanes! This craft is super fun and perfect for tiny aviation enthusiasts who dream of soaring through the clouds.

Start by gathering your supplies – you’ll need a toilet paper roll, craft sticks, and pipe cleaners.

The toilet paper roll forms the body of your airplane, while craft sticks make perfect wings.

We love how the pipe cleaners can be bent into landing gear, giving your plane a realistic touch.

Just cut them in half and shape them with a flat middle section to attach to the bottom of your plane.

Paint your airplane any color you want – go wild! Add some windows with markers or stick on some paper circles.

Your kids will absolutely flip when they see how the wheels actually move like a real airplane!

Don’t forget to glue the wings across the middle of your toilet paper roll – one on top and one on bottom.

Try to line them up evenly so your plane flies straight (well, not really, but let’s pretend!).

8) Assemble a Castle Fortress

Let’s turn those empty toilet paper rolls into an amazing castle fortress! This magical craft will keep your kids entertained for hours while sparking their imagination.

Paint your toilet paper rolls in two different colors. We love using gray and white for that classic castle look, but feel free to go wild with pink, purple, or any colors your little ones prefer.

To make the towers, you’ll need to cut some rolls in half horizontally. These shorter pieces will become the turrets that sit on top of your taller rolls.

Make small cuts at the top of each roll to create those signature castle battlements.

Time to get fancy! We love adding sparkly, whimsical touches with glitter, stickers, and foam shapes.

Your kids can even draw windows and doors, or add little flags made from paper.

Stack your towers together to create the perfect fortress. You can use cardboard as a base to keep everything steady.

Add a drawbridge using a piece of paper or cardboard – we promise it’ll make the castle extra special!

Benefits of Crafting With Toilet Paper Rolls

Let’s talk about why we’re obsessed with toilet paper roll crafts! These simple cardboard tubes unlock amazing opportunities for our kids to grow, learn, and have a blast while being kind to our planet.

Encouraging Creativity

Toilet and toilet paper roll crafts give our little ones endless possibilities to let their imaginations soar. One day that cardboard tube becomes a fierce dragon, the next it’s a magical telescope!

We love watching our kids’ faces light up when they realize they can transform these everyday items into literally anything they dream up.

From cute and simple animals to complex fairy houses, the creative potential is endless.

These projects help build confidence too! There’s something special about turning “trash” into treasure that makes kids feel like creative superheroes.

Promoting Eco-Friendly Habits

Teaching our kiddos about recycling and sustainability becomes super fun with toilet paper roll crafts. Instead of tossing these tubes in the trash, we’re giving them a second life!

It’s such a great way to show our children that not everything needs to be bought new. We can create amazing things from items we already have at home.

This hands-on approach to recycling helps our little ones understand environmental responsibility in a way that really sticks. Plus, it’s totally free crafting material – win-win!

Developing Fine Motor Skills

When our kids work with toilet paper rolls, they’re strengthening those important fine motor skills without even realizing it! Cutting, painting, gluing, and decorating all help develop hand strength and coordination.

These creative activities give those tiny fingers plenty of practice. From wrapping paper around the tube to adding small decorative details, each step builds better dexterity.

It’s perfect for kids crafts all ages too! Our younger ones can start with simple painting projects, while older kids can tackle more complex cutting and assembly tasks.

Setting Up Your Craft Space

Let’s create a fun and safe space for all our toilet paper roll adventures! A well-organized craft area helps kids stay focused and makes cleanup so much easier.

Gathering Materials

We love that toilet paper roll crafts use items we already have at home! Start with a stash of clean, empty toilet paper rolls – we suggest collecting them for fun projects.

Basic supplies you’ll need:

• Scissors (kid-safe ones!)

• Glue sticks or white school glue

• Colorful construction paper

• Markers, crayons, or paint

• Decorative items like googly eyes or stickers

• Washi tape or masking tape

Keep everything in labeled containers or bins – we’re big fans of using old shoeboxes! Set up a dedicated workspace with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to catch spills.

Safety Tips for Kids

We want our little artists to stay safe while they create masterpieces! Always supervise kids when they’re using scissors or glue.

Some quick safety must-dos:

• Use child-safe scissors with rounded tips

• Choose non-toxic paints and markers

• Keep small items like googly eyes away from toddlers

• Have wet wipes ready for messy hands

• Make sure the craft area has good lighting

Pro tip: Keep a small box of band-aids nearby – just in case! Remember to tie back long hair and roll up those sleeves before starting any fun paper roll activities.

Inspiring Creativity in Kids

Making crafts with toilet paper rolls teaches kids that creativity can come from the most basic household items. The magic happens when we step back and let our little artists explore their imaginations.

Letting Kids Take the Lead

We love watching kids’ faces light up when they realize they’re in charge of their creative projects! When making these toilet paper roll crafts for kids, let them pick colors, decorations, and even invent new creatures.

Give them basic supplies like:

• Paint and brushes

• Colorful paper

• Googly eyes

• Glue

• Child-safe scissors

Ask open-ended questions like “What would you like to create today?” or “Which colors make you happy?” This builds confidence and helps them trust their creative instincts.

Celebrating the Mess

Let’s be real – creative time can get messy, and that’s totally okay!

We’ve learned that some of the best crafts come from happy accidents and paint-covered fingers.

Set up a dedicated craft space with:

• Old newspapers or a wipeable tablecloth

• Paper towels

• Easy-clean surfaces

• Washable paint and markers

Remind kids that perfect isn’t the goal.

When we embrace creative play at young age, we’re teaching them that the joy is in the process, not just the end result.

Every smudge and crooked line tells a story of their artistic journey.