Creative craft projects using a common household item: toilet paper tubes.
If you’re spending more time indoors, now is a great chance to get crafty. To fend off the dreaded “I’m bored” from kids, gather up those cardboard toilet paper tubes and turn them into fun projects. They’re inexpensive, easy to decorate, and perfect for sparking creativity. Below you’ll find a variety of ideas—from simple stamps and animals to more elaborate castles and marble runs—that can keep kids engaged and entertained.
How to sanitize toilet paper tubes for crafts:
It’s understandable to worry about germs on recycled materials. Here are two safe, effective ways to sanitize cardboard tubes before crafting.
Spray them:
Lightly mist tubes with a disinfectant spray and then allow them to dry in sunlight.
Bake them:
For a chemical-free option, place tubes on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 170–200°F (the oven’s lowest setting) for about 20 minutes. Keep the oven temperature low and stay nearby while they heat to avoid any fire risk. This gentle heat will reduce bacteria without damaging the tubes.
What creative things can you make with a TP tube?
Here are dozens of easy and imaginative toilet paper tube craft ideas. Each entry lists the project name and the type of craft to inspire your next activity.
1. Cardboard Tube Minion | Crafts by Amanda
2. Cardboard Tube Bowling Game | Craftulate
3. Toilet Paper Roll Bunny | The Best Ideas for Kids
4. Toilet Paper Roll Train | Kids Activities Blog
5. Rainbow Windsock | Easy Peasy and Fun
6. Cardboard Tube Unicorns | Kids Craft Room
7. Toilet Paper Roll Ice Castle | Red Ted Art
8. Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun King | Kids Activities Blog
9. Seahorse Puppets | The Craft Train
10. Owl Pillow Boxes | Kerry’s Paper Crafts Blog
11. Bird Feeder | Factory Direct Craft
12. Birthday Crowns | Creative Jewish Mom
13. Patriotic Kids Blowers | Natural Beach Living
14. Polka Dot Paper Lanterns | Just Crafty Enough
15. Candy Rolls | The House that Lars Built
16. Puppy Marionette | Parents
17. Toilet Paper Roll Pigs | Farm Wife Crafts
18. Toilet Paper Roll Bunny Stamps | Crafty Morning
19. Cardboard Tube Space Shuttles | A Little Pinch of Perfect
20. Toilet Paper Roll Bee | Easy Peasy and Fun
21. Paper Roll Animals | Frugal Fun 4 Boys
22. Paper Roll Snowflakes | Woli Creations
23. Paper Roll Hula Girl and Mermaid | Mollymoo Crafts
24. Thankful for Toilet Paper | Craft Proverbs 31 Life
25. Fire Breathing Dragon | One Little Project
26. Toilet Paper Roll Cars | Kiflies Levendula
27. Superhero Bracelets | Rachel Rabbit
28. Paper Roll Stacking Towers | Color Made Happy
29. Paper Roll Shape Stamps | Mama Papa Bubba
30. Toilet Paper Roll Butterflies | Twig and Toadstool
31. Rainbow Binoculars | Crafty Morning
32. Japanese Flying Carp | Squirrelly Minds
33. Toilet Paper Roll Watches | Red Ted Art
34. Marble Run | Go Science Girls
35. Marble Run | Oh Dee Oh
36. Elsa from Frozen | Hello Wonderful
Additional materials needed:
Most of these projects require simple, common craft supplies. Here are items that will cover many of the ideas above:
- Acrylic or tempera paints
- Paint brushes
- Googly eyes
- Glue
- Tape
- Tissue paper in various colors
- Pom poms
- Construction paper
- Popsicle sticks
- String and yarn
- Glitter
- Stickers
- Markers
- Pipe cleaners
- Straws
- String lights
- Hole punch
- Bottle caps
- Bird seed and peanut butter (for bird feeders)
- Marbles
- Scissors
- Skewers
- Felt in assorted colors
Which of these projects will you try first?
More creative ideas for kids
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- 25+ Things to Make with Cardboard
- 25+ Boredom Busters
- 25+ DIY Yard Games
