Paper tube crafts are a great kids’ activity. Break out the craft supplies to make people, animals, games, and home decor.
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Paper towel and toilet paper tubes make a great craft material. They’re made of cardboard and reusing them is an easy way to reduce your trash/recycling waste. If you’re not a fan of reusing the tubes, you can buy new cardboard tubes made just for crafting on Amazon.
Cardboard tubes are a perfect size and shape for making all kinds of characters and crafts. Below we’ve shared our favorites from bloggers to make people, animals, games and toys, and other crafts and decor.
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Paper tube people
1. Family
Make a cardboard tube family and decorate them to look like your own with tips from Fantastic Fun and Learning.
2. Pirate
This pirate and parrot tube pair from Artsy Craftsy Mom is fun for imaginative play.
3. Mermaid
Kids who love mermaids will enjoy making this one from Easy Crafts for Kids.
4. Scarecrow
Add these paper tube scarecrows created by The Pinterested Parent to a day full of farm-themed activities.
5. Robot
Visit Glue Sticks and Gumdrops to inspire your kids to build cardboard tube robots.
6. Superheroes
How cute are the toilet roll tube versions of Superman and Wonder Woman from Crafts by Amanda?
7. Einstein
Introduce your little ones to Albert Einstein and make this paper tube character at Surviving a Teacher’s Salary.
Animals
8. Bat
This flying bat from Mombrite is a fun craft to make and hang up.
9. Fish
Make a whole school of colorful paper tube fish. We made them in bright colors, but you can use any craft paints.
10. Llama
Older kids will adore these colorful paper tube llamas from Mer Mag.
11. Unicorn
We love how colorful this cardboard tube unicorn is, via Red Ted Art.
12. Butterfly
Make some colorful butterflies with Two Kids and a Coupon.
13. Bunny
This bunny template from One Mama’s Daily Drama is intended for Easter, but if you leave off the basket, it works for any time of year!
14. Dinosaur
ConservaMom has a great tutorial for making a long-neck dinosaur from a paper tube.
15. Elephant
Add an elephant from Creative Family Fun to your kids’ zoo too.
16. Lizard
This frilled neck lizard at The Craft Train is super creative.
17. Giraffe
Kids can make a whole zoo from paper towel tubes Giraffe from Non Toy Gifts.
18. Parrot
This paper tube parrot can be attached to your shirt sleeve to ride on your shoulder like a pirate.
Games and toys
19. Marble run
Build a marble run with Tinkerlab and kids can spend the day experimenting.
20. Kaleidoscope
Visit Darcy and Brian and make a kaleidoscope as a fun family craft project.
21. Racecar
After your kids make these racing cars from Arty Crafty Kids, tape off a track on the floor to drive around.
22. Pirate spyglass
Turn a few paper tubes into a pirate telescope here on Backyard Summer Camp, then use it for imaginative playtime.
23. Domino game
This paper towel tube domino challenge from Happy Toddler Playtime is a good STEM activity for preschoolers.
24. Construction pieces
It will take some time to make this construction toy from Picklebums, but afterward, your kids will enjoy playing for a long time.
25. Castle
Build a cardboard castle from Adventure in a Box.
26. Marshmallow launcher
Make a marshmallow launcher like Thrifty Fun and have a family battle.
Crafts and decor
27. Bird feeder
Make this classic summer bird feeder craft at Honey and Lime.
28. Rainbow
This rainbow from The OT Toolbox is so cute and colorful!
29. Windsock
Kids will like this rainbow windsock from Manda Panda Projects.
30. Windchime
You need paper tubes and a paper plate to make these wind chimes at Crafting With Kids.
31. Paper lanterns
Decorate by turning tube into paper lanterns from Hawaii Travel With Kids.
32. Garland
String together tassel garland from Laura Radniecki to go with the lanterns.
33. Flower art
Create flower printing art using this creative trick from Emma Owl.
Start saving paper towel tubes and toilet paper tubes to make these fun craft ideas. Add a few of these fun projects that match your backyard summer camp theme or spend a whole day crafting with cardboard tubes.
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