Empty toilet paper rolls usually meet a sad fate. They’re either tossed out immediately or left sitting on the back of the toilet until someone finally ends their suffering.
Before you bin that tube like yesterday’s news, hear us out. Upcycling is better for the planet and your budget.
Plus, spring is the perfect time to see beauty in unexpected places — even your bathroom bin.
Roll up your sleeves and grab the scissors. We’re about to make whimsical and unexpected spring themed crafts with toilet paper rolls.
Why toilet paper rolls make excellent crafts for kids
Toilet paper rolls are sturdy and flexible enough to handle your wildest DIY dreams. Kids can cut, paint and glue them with ease. Also, their cylindrical shape lends itself to a wide variety of crafting projects.
So skip the trip to the craft store. Start mining your recycling bin for supplies instead, because using leftover loo rolls for upcycling projects is free, fun and a win for the planet.
7 cool spring crafts made with toilet paper rolls
Cultivate creativity with these cool spring crafts with toilet paper rolls, from decorative wreaths to binoculars made for mini explorers.
1. Fairy houses
This enchanting toilet paper roll craft gives new meaning to the phrase “tiny home.”
Image Credit: Mummy_and_my_three via Pinterest
Collect coloured pencils, cardboard scraps and paper. Then grab a craft knife and a hot glue gun — adults only, please!
Cut a paper semicircle for the roof and a strip for the house’s base. Decorate both, shape the semicircle into a cone roof and glue both pieces onto your home. Carefully carve out a door and windows.
Encourage older kids to add extras like curtains or functional doors. Better yet, create an entire village with multiple houses and taller towers built from 100% recycled paper towel rolls. Add in fun details like mailboxes crafted with cardboard scraps.
Even the tiniest tots can help decorate, and this magical craft will spark hours of imaginative play.
2. Decorative welcome wreaths
Seeking a unique entryway enhancement? Try this welcome wreath craft with toilet paper rolls.
Image Credit: diybunker via Pinterest
All you need is paint, a hot glue gun and a few beads or buttons for added flair.
Gather a heap of toilet roll cores, coat each one in paint and chop them into quarters. Shape each strip into a single petal. Think curly spirals for roses or ovals for daisies.
Glue petals together to create flowers, and carefully glue each bloom together into a circular wreath. Optional: add buttons or beads to the centre of each flower.
Kindergartners can paint, primary schoolers can shape, and adults can hot glue — voila, instant spring door decor.
3. Binoculars for outdoor adventures
Upcycle your toilet paper rolls into binoculars so good-looking, even the prettiest birds might get jealous. Plus, you’ll inspire outdoor exploration along the way.
Image Credit: franzi_mini_pants via Pinterest
Decorate two cardboard tubes with paint, colourful paper scraps or fun tape. Join them at the centre with glue or tape.
Older kids can level up by adding a spacer. Simply shorten an extra paper towel roll and glue it in between the two tubes. Make this toilet paper roll craft extra legit by attaching a yarn or string neck strap and clear plastic wrap (or acetate) lenses.
Saving trees as a family by reusing household waste has never looked so cool.
4. Charming tulips
Who doesn’t love blooming flowers?
Image Credit: Kathy Oberst via Facebook
All you need for this colourful spring tulip craft with toilet paper rolls is paint, a pencil, and scissors.
Flatten a toilet roll core and sketch out a simple tulip shape. Cut out the shape, leaving the sides attached, and paint your tulip.
Want to kick things up a notch?
Turn a cardboard box into a flower bed by cutting it down and painting the inside dark brown. Glue multiple tulips to the inside and paint a picket fence around the outside. Now you have a beautiful tulip garden to brighten the bathroom, a windowsill or your child’s bedroom.
5. Sleek bumblebees
Like you, bumblebees are fierce eco-warriors busy buzzing around making the world a better place. Honour these charming critters with this accessible craft.
Image Credit: Lisa Fun Money Mom via Pinterest
Use clean cut geometric shapes to create modern bumblebees with a sleek look. Gather toilet paper rolls, a black marker, yellow and black paint, wire, paper scraps and glue.
Paint horizontal black and yellow stripes on loo rolls, then carefully cut various shapes out of paper scraps. Circles or stars for heads, triangles or hearts for wings — whatever makes your bees stand out.
Decorate the heads and attach them to the striped bee bodies. Glue wings onto the back of each toilet paper roll. Finish them off with little wire antennae.
Discuss shapes and practice glueing and painting with tiny tots. If you have primary schoolers, challenge them to craft a swarm of equally proportioned bees with unique shapes.
6. Nature butterflies
Nothing says spring like beautiful butterflies. Make this version with just a pair of scissors, glue and some natural materials.
Image Credit: mummy_and_my_three via Instagram
Start by collecting blooms, drying them and sandwiching them between two heavy books to press for a few weeks.
Next, craft your butterfly.
Press a toilet paper roll flat and cut through both sides to create a single butterfly wing. Repeat the process with another tube, then glue them together. Attach a few twigs for the butterfly's body and antennae, then decorate with your pre-pressed flowers.
No time to press flowers? No worries. Just add designs with markers instead.
Littles will enjoy picking flowers and decorating, while primary schoolers can handle pressing and crafting independently.
7. Colourful flower stamps
What’s better than a sustainable craft? A sustainable craft you can use to make more sustainable crafts!
Image Credit: taminglittlemonsters via Pinterest
You probably already have everything you need for this project: a marker, a trusty pair of scissors and some paint. Plus, something to paint on.
Draw your “petals” around one end of a toilet paper roll. Be imaginative with your designs. Cut out the petals, bend them backwards and dip them in paint to start creating art.
Toddlers can create simple patterns. Older kids can design more intricate stamps and use them to create beautiful gift bags and decorate various household items. Their creations make for sustainable (and free) gifts or decor.
Conclusion – Upcycle your toilet rolls for family arts and crafts
Reusing toilet paper rolls by turning them into unexpected creations is a fun and eco-friendly way to bring a touch of spring into your home.
So, don’t let those rolls go to waste.
Instead, use them to make beautiful crafts and family memories. Try out these upcycling projects, or develop your ideas, then share your creations online.
Lots of empty rolls, a few full hearts and one happy planet. Need to stock up on your favourite upcycled craft? Setup a subscription for Who Gives A Crap toilet paper so you never run out.