It’s funny how quickly toilet paper rolls can accumulate when everyone is home all day, every day. You can go from one empty roll to many in the blink of an eye. Toilet paper roll crafts for kids are an inexpensive and thrifty way to create creative and crafty fun for the entire family. Use these cute and fun ways to get upcycling with a little help from all those empty cardboard tubes to get crafty with kids. These are the best toilet paper roll crafts for kids.
RELATED: Need even more ideas for kids at home? Here’s my favorite list of Play Ideas for Home.
What can kids (of any age) do with paper rolls?
I know right now, every age can use innovative invitations to play.
I made sure toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and even adults who like to get in on some crafting fun can benefit from this roundup of ideas for paper rolls.
Using simple supplies we already have at home is essential now, and my goal is to make this cardboard tube a staple item in your art cart or collection bin to use again and again.
RELATED: Looking to paint with your toddler? You must try this genius, mess-free, easy craft idea.
Toilet paper roll crafts are for kids of all ages!
Inside this post you will find:
- Paper roll sensory play
- Paper roll craft ideas
- Easy DIY paper roll games and activities
This list is the toilet paper roll activities for kids you need!
If you do not have a collection of empty toilet paper rolls yet, I assure you, they add up fast! Save some of your favorite ideas to Pinterest, and you will be ready in no time! Just like the best toddler toys, toilet rolls are the perfect way to create a fun craft while strengthening fine motor skills and developing hand-eye coordination. And the best part is that easy toilet paper roll crafts can inspire so much open-ended potential and independent play!
RELATED: Quick and easy activities are our jam! See our favorites in our activity cards here.
15 Cardboard tube crafts
Just like your never-ending supply of toilet paper rolls, the ways to reuse them all are truly endless. Check out allllll the ways you can get creative at home with your kids using empty toilet paper rolls. Whether you’re looking to encourage a little sensory exploration, dive into an arts and crafts project, or play a fun game, there’s something for everyone!
Sensory play with paper tubes
Sensory play is a great way to fire up all the senses. Offering your children the opportunity to explore their senses is so important for early childhood development and curiosity.
Alphabet Drop
Try out this easy and fun letter recognition activity for preschoolers using magnetic letters and toilet paper rolls.
Cardboard Rainmakers
Your preschooler will love making colorful rainmakers out of toilet paper rolls.
DIY Kaleidoscope
Use empty toilet paper rolls to create and play with beautiful kaleidoscope creations!
Engineering with Paper Tubes
Try out this low-prep STEM activity for toddlers and preschoolers using empty cardboard tubes.
Recycle Bridge Challenge
Invite your Kindergartener to create a bridge for some of their favorite miniature toys to cross.
RELATED: Unsure where to start? Try our steps on how to train sensory play with kids.
Toilet paper roll crafts for kids
Toilet paper roll crafts are a fun and easy way to make a cute craft with your kids! So grab those tp rolls, a handful of googly eyes, a little paint, and any other fun recycled materials or craft supplies you have on hand to create any of these creative craft ideas!
Cardboard Monsters
These cardboard monsters made out of toilet paper rolls are super cute to make during Halloween, or anytime!
Paper Tube Snowflakes
Older children will LOVE making snowflakes out of empty toilet paper rolls and a few other simple craft supplies!
Recycled Birdhouse Craft
Design and build adorable little birdhouses made out of recycled toilet paper tubes.
DIY Microphone
These sweet little owls will keep your toddler busy creating and playing!
Toilet Paper Car Toys
If you have a car-loving toddler, this craft idea is for them! Build little vehicles out of toilet paper rolls and simple craft supplies to inspire lots of independent play.
Paper roll games and activities
Who knew you could use empty cardboard tubes to come up with games and activities to entertain your kids?! Check out these great ideas below for creative ways to use up that pile of toilet paper rolls!
Apple Balance
Challenge your preschooler with a little STEM fun using empty cardboard tubes and apples to experiment with balance and weight.
Paper Roll Color Maze
Paint toilet paper rolls bright colors and then use them to create fun mazes to practice problem-solving!
Retell Caps for Sale
Retelling stories is such an important learning skills for young kids. So why not use toilet paper rolls to make the retelling that much more fun?!
Roll and Drop Counting Activity
Make learning early math concepts fun with this simple game using cardboard tubes, dice, and my favorite: counting bears!
Toddler Clothespin Pull
Help your toddler develop fine motor skills practice with this zero-prep fine motor activity using clothespins and empty cardboard tubes.
Which paper roll activity will you try first?
With so many toilet roll craft and activity ideas, it can be hard to know what to do first! But the good news is, there are endless possibilities for empty cardboard tubes. You won’t run out of new and creative ideas for using up the endless supply (and I mean endless!) of cardboard rolls.
A BUNDLE OF OUR BEST RESOURCES
it’s like Mary Poppin’s bag – full of great ideas to inspire you and your kids with play!
You get an amazing bundle including:
- The Starter Guide to press restart on your days.
- 2 Sets of Activity Cards for activities when you need them.
- The WONDER Course: More Play, Less Stress for You and Your Child.
FAQ for toilet paper roll crafts for kids
Use empty toilet paper tubes to make a simple craft, fun projects, silly games, and low-prep activities for your kids. Truthfully, the ideas are endless!
There are so many adorable ways to create art with toilet paper rolls! One of my favorite toilet paper roll crafts is making little monsters that can then be used for pretend and independent play.
You can make both art projects and fun games out of toilet paper tubes quickly and easily! With some basic craft materials, you can come up with all sorts of ways to cut, tape, paint, and build with toilet paper rolls.
Jenjo Games says
This is such a great list of creative craft ideas for kids to enjoy and you have explained them so well. Thanks for sharing!