20 Kids Crafts Using Upcycled Toilet Paper Tubes — what’s included and how to run them

# What this roundup covers

# Types of projects you'll find

• Animal crafts: beluga whale, killer whale/orca, ladybug, crab, koala, triceratops, frog (related coverage). These use simple shaping, paint, and glued-on details to achieve recognizable forms.
• Fictional and pop-culture characters: Minion, Grogu (Baby Yoda), Boba Fett, Forky. These rely on basic paintwork and a few small accessories to capture each character's look.
• Fantasy and seasonal: mermaid, unicorn, pumpkins, scarecrow. Great for unit studies, holiday displays, or simple role play props.
• Vehicles and toys: rocket ship and rocket variations that turn tubes into imaginative play pieces.

# Who these projects work for

# What supplies you'll need (typical)

Most tutorials reuse common craft supplies you probably already have: toilet paper tubes, paint, construction paper, glue, scissors, googly eyes, markers, and printable templates. Several projects recommend or provide free downloadable patterns to simplify cutting and assembly.

# Classroom and home uses

These crafts fit short activity windows, craft centers, summer boredom busters, thematic lessons (ocean life, dinosaurs, space), and seasonal decorations. Because the base material is uniform, you can run a multi-station activity where kids pick a project and customize it with color, texture, or added elements.

# Practical tips for success

• Pre-cut or pre-print templates for younger groups to reduce waiting and make the activity flow. The roundup notes several projects include free printables.
• Group by complexity: assign simple paint-and-stick projects to the youngest kids and more detailed character builds to older children.
• Keep adhesives appropriate to the age group: glue sticks for paper parts and liquid glue or hot glue (adult use only) for sturdier joins.

# Examples called out in the collection

# Quick activity plan for a 45-minute session

These projects are low-cost, low-prep, and easy to scale for individual kids at home or small classroom groups. The emphasis throughout is on turning a common waste item into playful learning material that supports fine motor practice and creative expression.