Parents want an inexpensive yet fun way to entertain their kids. The best way to do this is to look for things you can recycle and breathe new life into through arts and crafts projects.
If you’ve been throwing out empty toilet paper rolls because you don’t know what to do with them, STOP.
This list of 20 super easy toilet paper roll crafts for kids will put them to good use!
These projects spark joy, promote creativity, and strengthen the bond between parent and child. Enjoy!
1. Toilet Paper Roll Angels
When you’re having one of those days where nothing seems to be going right, and you can hear your 5-year old screaming from the other room, you have no choice but to wing it.
And wing it you shall – with these toilet paper roll angels!
You can (temporarily) say goodbye to tantrums by keeping your little ones busy with these angels.
These are great for school programs, Sunday school, and as holiday ornaments. Or if your kid just wants some company in the room, these angels are good for that, too!
Learn how to make toilet paper roll angels by watching this DIYS.com video tutorial.
2. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars
Teach your child the importance of observation through these toilet paper roll binoculars. They’ll have a fun time looking through these “lenses” observing caterpillars, bird-watching, and even star-gazing!
This project is great for preschool science classes. For parents, this means your kids will most likely be found outdoors, crawling their way through your garden looking for bugs. Join them with your own set of binoculars!
Here’s a video tutorial by Kids Wow Collector on how to make toilet paper roll binoculars.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Caterpillar Pencil Holder
I like making crafts that I end up actually using. If you’re like me, you’ll love this toilet paper roll caterpillar pencil holder.
By simply gluing several toilet paper rolls side-by-side, you’ll have a finished product that’s both beautiful and useful.
Use this to hold pens and pencils in one place. It’s a great tool to organize your kid’s study table, too!
Check out this toilet paper roll caterpillar pencil holder tutorial by Kraft with Kanthi and see how easy it is to make one!
4. Toilet Paper Roll Dinosaur
Every kid goes through a dinosaur phase. Good news is, you no longer have to limit play activity with just sounds of “raawr, raawr, raawr!”
You can make these toilet paper roll dinosaurs by The Craft Train to double the fun.
Your dinosaur-loving kids will enjoy these. Be warned, though: they’ll like these so much you’ll soon have a pack of dinosaurs at home.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Elf
Elves are the stuff children’s books are made of – and I have yet to meet a child who doesn’t love bedtime stories.
While elves are wildly popular during the holidays as Santa’s helpers, they’re just as fun throughout the year.
Make these toilet paper roll elves and place them on a shelf as a great reminder that the holidays are just around the corner. Perhaps these could help keep the kids off the naughty list!
Watch this video from CHRIS-DIY to learn how to make a toilet paper roll elf.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Frog
These toilet paper roll frogs will hop their way into every kid’s heart. They’re green, big-eyed, and adorable – who can resist?
You can combine study and play when you use these toilet paper roll frogs made by Easy Peasy and Fun. When teaching numbers, colors, or letters to toddlers, have the frogs “hop” toward a number, color, or letter that you’ve called out. The kids will never get bored!
7. Toilet Paper Roll Gingerbread Man
Kids love gingerbread men cookies – and they’ll love this toilet paper roll gingerbread man, too! This is a great craft project during the holiday season.
These toilet paper roll gingerbread men may also be used for storytelling purposes. You can add strings to them and turn them into puppets!
Do you want to learn how to make a toilet paper roll gingerbread man? Watch this tutorial video from Happy Crafty!
8. Toilet Paper Roll Hanging Bats
Your kids will love hanging out with these toilet paper roll hanging bats! This craft is a great way to decorate your home for Halloween. Who says you have to spend a lot for fun decor?
Ask your kids to make a lot of hanging bats to amp up the Halloween spirit. These are super easy and super fast to make!
See how toilet paper roll hanging bats are made by watching Sewing Lara’s video tutorial.
9. Toilet Paper Roll Iguana
This toilet paper roll iguana project is a great way to educate your kids about the animals found in the rainforest. Before you know it, you’ll have your very own toilet paper roll rainforest at home!
Learn how to make a toilet paper roll iguana by watching this tutorial by Easy Kids Craft.
Fun fact: Did you know that iguanas have excellent eyesight that allows them to see danger even from afar? Share this interesting fact with your kids as you make a toilet paper roll iguana.
10. Toilet Paper Roll Jellyfish
You can easily take your kids on an under-the-sea adventure when you make toilet paper roll jellyfish. It’s a great way to discover the world that lies within the ocean.
Easy Kids Craft has a great video tutorial on how to make toilet paper roll jellyfish.
Fun fact: Did you know that jellyfish don’t have hearts?
11. Toilet Paper Roll Kitty
This cute toilet paper roll kitty craft idea is useful for parties and playdates, and will surely bring in tons of crafting fun.
Go crazy with the colors – use glitter if you want. When it comes to arts and crafts, the sky’s the limit!
Check out this video tutorial by DIYS.com to learn how simple and easy it is to make a toilet paper roll kitty.
12. Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun
Want to have a little bit of Irish luck on your side? Have some crafting fun to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this cute toilet paper roll leprechaun!
You’ll love how the finished product looks – it has lots of personality! The kids will love the beard, that’s for sure.
If you want to make toilet paper roll leprechauns with the kids, watch Happy Crafty’s video tutorial here.
13. Toilet Paper Roll Mummy
This toilet paper roll mummy is so cute it won’t scare your kids. In fact, this would be a great addition to your Halloween decorations.
Have your kids make several of these toilet paper roll mummies. They’re so easy to make, even your littlest littles can help out.
But first, watch this video by Easy Kids Craft.
14. Toilet Paper Roll Ninjas
Do you have kids that are crazy about ninjas? These toilet paper roll ninjas are a great after-school activity for them to do alone or with friends.
Watch this video tutorial by Art Train and see how easy it is to make these toilet paper roll ninjas. Plus, you won’t need to spend a lot of money for materials!
15. Toilet Paper Roll Owls
Whoever thought of the word “adorable” must have had owls in mind. They’re such charming creatures that are hard to resist!
Have your kids make these toilet paper roll owls for family members who are very fond of these winged characters. Encourage creativity by allowing your kids to customize the owls’ colors. It’ll triple the fun factor!
Watch CraftyGirls’s tutorial video here!
16. Toilet Paper Roll Penguin
Images of penguins never fail to conjure scenes from the movie Happy Feet – and these toilet paper roll penguins from Easy Kids Craft make your heart just as happy.
You can make this craft while watching the movie with your kids. When you’re done, have the penguins dance to the movie’s soundtrack. Who knows, you just might end up dancing, too!
17. Toilet Paper Roll Rainbow Windsock
Kids will love spending a windy day outdoors with this toilet paper roll rainbow windsock from Easy Peasy and Fun.
Simply hang it up and the kids can enjoy watching it sway as it catches the wind. Remember to use colorful tissue paper!
18. Toilet Paper Roll Squid
Introduce your small kids to the wonders of the aquatic world even when you’re at home with this toilet paper roll squid – you can even make it in different colors!
Don’t forget to tell the kids that the squid, just like the octopus, has three hearts!
Check out this video by DIY with Anna for the tutorial.
19. Toilet Paper Roll Turkey
When the adults are busy with Thanksgiving Day preparations, keep the kids busy with crafts!
While you’re busy cooking the turkey, let your kids make these gorgeous toilet paper roll turkeys to give away as a Thanksgiving present to your guests.
Watch how Happy Crafty makes these toilet paper roll turkeys in this tutorial video.
20. Toilet Paper Roll Unicorns
Unicorns are magical creatures – and these toilet paper roll unicorns are magical, too. With their colorful mane and tail made out of yarn, these unicorns are the cutest things ever.
This is the perfect craft for young unicorn lovers. It’s easy to make and the materials are readily available.
The Sandbox Girls’s video tutorial on how to make toilet paper roll unicorns gives a step-by-step breakdown.
From Trash to Treasure!
With this list of 20 toilet paper roll craft ideas, you can start turning those empty rolls into beautiful works of art with the kids.
But wait, there’s more! Check out this list of cotton ball crafts for more crafting ideas.