Below I share our favourite toilet paper roll and paper towel roll crafts, plus creative ways to use other cardboard tubes for art, learning and play.
In this post you’ll find ideas for:
- Holiday crafts using toilet paper and paper towel rolls
- Kids’ art projects made with cardboard tubes
- Learning games and activities using cardboard rolls
- Homemade toys and imaginative play ideas made from tubes
In our daycare we adore crafting with cardboard tubes. Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, wrapping paper tubes, food-wrap cores and mailing tubes are all useful materials for simple, affordable projects. We collect them and keep a steady supply because the possibilities are endless.
My family teases me for hoarding cardboard rolls, but they’re perfect for preschool crafts and group activities. Sturdy cores from cling-wrap or aluminum foil are great for projects that need extra support, while wrapping paper tubes are ideal when you need a longer piece.
If your stash of cardboard tubes is growing, these ideas will help you put them to creative use.
Where to buy cardboard rolls?
If you don’t have a personal supply and want to purchase cardboard tubes in bulk, many craft suppliers and general retailers sell packs of tubes suitable for crafting. Look for craft-grade tubes that match the size and sturdiness you need.
30+ Things to Make with Cardboard Tubes:
Click any item title in your saved list to find a full tutorial. Below are grouped ideas for different seasons and uses.
Fall Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Fall and Thanksgiving Toilet Paper Roll Crafts:
Create painted napkin rings, turkey table toppers or cute owls using simple materials like paint, fabric scraps and craft glue. These projects are great for decorating a Thanksgiving table or for a preschool autumn theme.
A gratitude-themed turkey craft offers a lovely, reflective activity to help children think about what they’re thankful for while practicing cutting and gluing skills.
Toilet Paper Roll Halloween Crafts:
Cardboard rolls make fun Halloween decorations like monster mobiles, spooky crows and wrapping-style mummies. These projects are excellent for practicing fine motor control and imaginative play.
Winter Toilet Roll Crafts:
Turn tubes into tiny snowmen, shimmering tree toppers, handprinted nutcrackers or tinfoil napkin rings. Cardboard rolls can be stacked, painted and decorated to make ornaments, candles and advent wreath elements for holiday displays.
Simple supplies—tubes, foil, paint and a few embellishments—can become stand-out seasonal decorations that are easy for kids to help make.
Paper towel and wrapping paper rolls can be painted in bold bands of colour and dressed up with buttons, ribbon and yarn to create a set of nutcrackers or other festive figures.
Kids can wrap rolls with tin foil and add colour for quick, shimmering napkin rings that brighten a holiday table.
Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts
A toilet roll Nativity set, handmade candles from paper towel rolls, or an advent wreath made of cardboard tubes are all meaningful crafts that double as play pieces or seasonal decorations.
Painted and glued together, cardboard rolls can become candles, wreaths or snowflake wreaths—perfect projects for a classroom or home craft night.
Cardboard Roll Christmas Ornaments:
Use fleece, batting and recycled tube cores to fashion small Santas, reindeer and snowman ornaments. Cardboard tubes are ideal for lightweight tree decorations and homemade gift toppers.
Valentine’s Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls
Create a heart garland by painting and cutting tubes into heart shapes, or dip rolls in paint to stamp Valentine’s cards. These simple techniques make lovely keepsakes or classroom decorations.
Spring Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls and Paper Towel Rolls
Spring projects include paper towel roll butterflies, colourful rain sticks made from sturdy foil cores, and playful garden-themed crafts that celebrate the season.
Easter ideas include chicks in paper nests, peeps-style figures, napkin rings for a holiday table, and a variety of bunny crafts—many of which can be adapted for toddlers and preschoolers.
We’ve even made “chocolate” Easter bunnies from toilet rolls for a playful twist.
Cardboard Tube Activities for Learning
Cardboard tubes are excellent for educational play. Use a poster or wrapping tube to build a “drop zone” to strengthen fine motor skills and show cause and effect. Turn tubes into simple musical instruments or tools for counting and sorting activities.
Knitting on a cardboard roll is a fun way to introduce early textile skills. Children can create belts, scarves or bracelets while practicing patterning and manual dexterity.
Making Art with Cardboard Tubes
Cardboard tubes can be combined into 3-D structures using low-temp glue guns or strong craft glue. Use sections of tube to stamp shapes, create Olympic ring-inspired wall art, or build sculptural pieces for display in a playroom.
Stamping hearts or other repeated shapes with cut tube ends makes attractive, frameable artwork that children can be proud of.
DIY Yarn and Toilet Roll Art Caddy
Wrap cardboard rolls with yarn to make a desk organizer or pencil holder. This yarn-wrapped caddy is a practical way for kids to keep art supplies tidy and makes a great tween or teen craft.
Painted Toilet Roll Desk Caddy
Paint tubes in bold colours and patterns to coordinate with a room or craft space. A painted desk caddy is both decorative and functional, and children enjoy personalizing their own organizers.
Ways to Use Cardboard Tubes for Play
A kitchen roll can become a bubble wand, a telescope for imaginative play, or a base for stand-up paper dolls. Cardboard cuffs can be turned into bracelets or anklets with paint, gems and decorative tape.
Long tubes make excellent torches for role play when topped with tissue-paper “flames,” and combining tubes with fabric scraps, yarn and buttons can produce a charming set of homemade dolls.
Homemade dolls, cuff bracelets and simple play tools are quick to assemble and encourage hours of imaginative play.
Do these ideas inspire you? If you have a favourite cardboard roll craft or activity, I’d love to hear about it—sharing ideas helps everyone get more creative with everyday materials.
If you enjoyed this post, check out:
- 25 Ways to Re-use K-Cup Pods (craft and reuse ideas)
- 40+ Gifts Kids Can Make — practical handmade gift ideas
- 70+ Homemade Toys to Make for Kids — a variety of play projects
- Budget-Friendly Homemade Laundry Detergent — a simple DIY recipe
- Denim Pant-Leg Craft Aprons — repurposed jean projects for kids
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