In an increasingly eco-conscious world, the quest for creative ways to reduce waste and repurpose everyday items has become more vital than ever. One surprisingly versatile item, often destined for the recycling bin or worse, the landfill, is the humble toilet paper tube. Far from being mere discarded cardboard, these seemingly insignificant cylinders hold immense potential for crafting, organizing, and even educational activities. Get ready to transform your perception of ‘trash’ into treasure with these ingenious toilet paper tube hacks. We’ve curated a comprehensive list of 21 easy-to-recreate ideas that will spark your imagination and help you give new life to what would otherwise be considered waste.
From practical organizational solutions to delightful craft projects for all ages, the possibilities for upcycling toilet paper tubes are truly endless. Before you casually toss those cardboard rolls, pause and consider how you can repurpose them into something fun, useful, and environmentally friendly. Our goal is to inspire you to embrace sustainable living through simple, engaging DIY projects. If you discover any brilliant uses not featured on our list, please don’t hesitate to share them with our community! After all, we’ll always have a steady supply of toilet paper tubes at our disposal for these exciting hacks.
1. DIY Phone Holder
Source: craftsyhacks.com
Say goodbye to awkwardly propping up your smartphone or investing in expensive stands. With a single toilet paper tube, you can craft a practical and personalized phone holder in minutes. Simply cut the tube in half horizontally, then carefully carve a rectangular slot on one side, perfectly sized to cradle your phone. The key to success here is precise measurement for a snug and stable fit. Once the basic structure is complete, let your creativity shine! You can keep it minimalist with a simple block color, or jazz it up with vibrant paints, playful stickers, sparkling gemstones, or even decoupage with patterned paper. It’s an ideal project for kids and adults alike, offering a functional solution while adding a touch of personalized flair to your desk or nightstand.
2. Flower Stampers
Source: taminglittlemonsters.com
Unlock a world of artistic fun for children with these simple yet captivating flower stampers. Transform an ordinary toilet paper tube into a versatile art tool by cutting one end into strips, then bending these strips outwards to create petal-like shapes. Dip the shaped end into paint and press it onto paper to create beautiful flower patterns. Experiment with different strip widths and bending techniques to achieve various floral effects, from large, dramatic petals to delicate, fine ones. This craft is perfect for spring art projects, helping kids explore colors and shapes while developing their fine motor skills. It’s an inexpensive way to encourage creativity and enjoy a hands-on art activity.
3. DIY Bird Feeder
Source: threekidsthreecatsandahusband.com
Bring nature closer to your home and engage the whole family with this delightful DIY bird feeder. It’s an easy and rewarding project that teaches children about local wildlife and the importance of caring for animals. Simply spread a generous layer of peanut butter (or a nut-free alternative for allergy concerns) all over the outside of a toilet paper tube. Then, roll the tube in birdseed until it’s completely covered. Punch a hole near the top, thread a string or pipe cleaner through it, and hang your creation on a tree branch outside. Beyond the craft itself, make it even more fun by keeping a notebook by the window overlooking the feeders to record any birds that are spotted. Encourage kids to draw what they see, helping them become familiar with different types of birds in their area. This project combines crafting with nature observation, creating lasting memories. For more creative ideas, check out these neat toilet paper roll crafts for adults!
4. Castle Craft
Source: redtedart.com
Let imaginations soar by transforming a collection of humble toilet paper tubes into a majestic medieval castle. This engaging craft provides endless opportunities for imaginative play and storytelling. While it requires a small collection of tubes to achieve an impressive structure, the building process itself is a rewarding experience. Begin by painting the tubes in various stone colors – grays, browns, and even hints of green for mossy accents. You can cut crenellations at the top of some tubes to create turrets and towers. Attach multiple tubes together using glue or tape to form walls and keep adding more to expand your fortress. Enhance the royal aesthetic by adding details like windows, doors, and banners. For a truly magical touch, consider using glittery paper to create shimmering roofs or flags, adding a fantastical element to your finished castle. This project is not only fun to build but also provides hours of creative play afterward.
5. DIY Pencil Case
Source: craftsyhacks.com
Keep your pencils, pens, and small craft supplies neatly organized with a charming DIY pencil case made from a toilet paper tube. This ingenious design allows you to create a functional and portable holder without complex crafting techniques. The trick is to cut the tube along one side, but not completely through. Leave a small uncut portion to act as a natural hinge, allowing the case to open and close smoothly. Once cut, you can fold the edges slightly to create a more defined opening. Decorate the exterior with colorful papers, fabric scraps, paint, or markers to reflect your personal style. Secure the opening with a ribbon, elastic band, or even a small piece of Velcro for easy access. This project is perfect for students, artists, or anyone looking for a unique and eco-friendly way to store their stationery. These other cool paper roll crafts will also wow you with their creativity!
6. Keep Your Wrapping Paper Rolled Up
Anyone who has a collection of wrapping paper knows the frustration of unrolling rolls that refuse to stay neatly tucked. This simple hack is a game-changer for organizing your gift wrap station! To prevent your wrapping paper from unraveling and becoming crumpled, simply slice a toilet paper tube lengthwise. Then, slip this modified tube onto each opened roll of wrapping paper. The snug fit will keep the paper tightly rolled, protecting it from damage and making storage a breeze. For an even more efficient system, label each tube according to its corresponding season or occasion (e.g., “Christmas,” “Birthdays,” “Everyday”). This small addition will save you time and hassle, allowing for quicker and easier searching next time you need to wrap a gift. It’s a prime example of how a tiny piece of cardboard can solve a common household dilemma.
7. Building Blocks
Source: swoodsonsays.com
Spark imagination and develop engineering skills in children with a collection of DIY building blocks made from toilet paper tubes. Similar to the castle project, this requires gathering a good number of tubes, but the end result is a fantastically fun and sustainable toy. Cut the tubes into various lengths to create different sized “blocks” – some short and stout, others long and slender. The best part is the opportunity for customization: let your kids choose their favorite colors, or even help them paint the blocks in vibrant hues and patterns. They can stack them, arrange them, and build towers, tunnels, or abstract sculptures. This activity not only fosters creativity and spatial reasoning but also provides a hands-on lesson in recycling and resourcefulness. It’s a wonderful alternative to plastic toys, promoting open-ended play and eco-conscious habits from an early age.
8. Superhero Cuffs Craft
Source: kidsactivitiesblog.com
For children who dream of superpowers and epic adventures, these DIY superhero cuffs are an absolute must-do craft. Whether they’re fans of Marvel, DC, or their own invented heroes, these cuffs allow them to embody their favorite characters without breaking the bank. Simply cut a toilet paper tube lengthwise and then decorate the exterior. Kids can use paint, markers, glitter, or colored paper to create their unique designs. Attach the ends with tape or a small piece of Velcro to fit around their wrists. For added flair, I recommend grabbing stamping cutouts for basic shapes like stars, lightning bolts, or half moons, making it easy to add iconic superhero emblems. These cuffs are cute, incredibly easy to make, and significantly cheaper than store-bought costumes. They encourage imaginative play and are perfect for a rainy day activity or a themed party, turning ordinary kids into extraordinary heroes.
9. Giraffe Craft
Source: redtedart.com
Bring the savanna to your living room with an adorable giraffe craft made from toilet paper tubes. This project is incredibly fun, especially when adding the giraffe’s characteristic long neck and legs. Use one tube for the body, and additional tubes or strips of cardboard for the neck and legs, attaching them securely with glue. Paint your giraffe in shades of yellow and brown, adding its distinctive spots. Don’t forget to give it ears, a tail, and perhaps even some tiny horns (ossicones) made from small paper scraps. If you want to take it a step further, attach some string to discreet parts of the animal to manipulate all sides of it, transforming your craft into a charming puppet. Pair this activity with a beloved children’s book featuring a giraffe, such as “Giraffes Can’t Dance!” by Giles Andreae, to create an immersive and educational experience that combines storytelling with hands-on creativity.
10. Easy Fire Starters (for making campfires)
Source: turningclockback.com
Embrace resourcefulness and prepare for your next outdoor adventure with these incredibly effective DIY fire starters. This hack transforms two common household “waste” items – dryer lint and toilet paper tubes – into a powerful aid for lighting campfires, fireplaces, or backyard fire pits. Simply fill an empty toilet paper tube with dryer lint, which is highly flammable. For an even better, longer-burning starter, drizzle melted candle wax (repurposing old candle stubs is a great eco-friendly touch) over the lint-filled tube. Once the wax solidifies, these compact starters are ready to go. I personally love to keep a stash of them in a weatherproof bag, ready for any scenario – be it a cozy fireplace evening, a backyard bonfire, or a camping trip. This ingenious solution is not only free and sustainable, making use of materials that would otherwise be discarded, but it also ensures you’ll always have a reliable way to get a fire going, reducing your reliance on chemical firelighters.
11. Ladybug Craft
Source: craftsyhacks.com
Create an adorable and cheerful ladybug decoration using a simple toilet paper tube. This charming craft is perfect for springtime, garden themes, or simply for adding a cute touch to any room. To begin, paint the entire toilet paper tube red. Once dry, add the distinctive black spots, a black head, and antennae made from pipe cleaners or thin strips of black paper. You can also cut out wings from red paper, decorate them with black spots, and attach them to the back of the tube. For those looking to streamline the process or ensure vibrant, consistent color, you could even wrap the tube in red card stock before adding the black details. If you or your kids are utterly captivated by insects, especially these charming little critters, you will absolutely adore these adorable ladybug crafts, offering even more creative ways to celebrate these polka-dotted beauties.
12. Firework-Themed Blower Craft
Source: redtedart.com
Get ready to celebrate with a bang (minus the noise!) with this fantastic firework-themed blower craft, one of our favorite summer activities. This project is wonderfully simple and a brilliant way to excite little ones about fireworks. Start by painting your toilet paper tubes black or a dark blue to mimic the night sky. Once dry, let the kids go wild with chalk or paint sticks, drawing their own vibrant firework displays directly onto the tubes. The real magic happens when you adhere colorful streamers, ribbons, or thin strips of tissue paper to one end of the tube. When children blow through the other end, the streamers flutter and dance, creating a beautiful, safe, and silent firework effect. It’s truly just pure fun and a good way to get the little ones engaged and excited about festive celebrations or national holidays, offering a hands-on, interactive craft experience.
13. Dinosaur Craft Project
Source: conservamome.com
Embark on a prehistoric adventure with a fun and easy dinosaur craft project using toilet paper tubes. This activity is perfect for any young paleontologist or dino enthusiast. Begin by painting a toilet paper tube in a suitable dinosaur color – think greens, browns, grays, or even vibrant blues for a fantastical creature. Once the paint is dry, cut out paper spikes, plates, or fins from construction paper and glue them onto the dinosaur’s back. You can add googly eyes or draw them on, along with a mouth and nostrils, to give your dino personality. While the example image might inspire a particular type of dinosaur, feel free to adventure into constructing a more beloved T-Rex, Stegosaurus, or Brontosaurus by adjusting the shape and placement of the paper additions. Your kiddos will also have immense fun exploring these other engaging toilet paper roll crafts, ensuring endless creative entertainment for little hands.
14. Snowman Craft Project
Source: kidsactivitiesblog.com
Embrace the magic of the winter season with an adorable snowman craft project made from a toilet paper tube. This charming decoration is simple to create and adds a festive touch to any home. Start by painting the entire toilet paper tube white, providing a blank canvas for your snowman. Once dry, you can begin adding the classic snowman features: draw on eyes and a carrot nose with markers, or use small googly eyes and orange paper. Buttons can be drawn, glued on, or even made from small pom-poms. Don’t forget a cheerful smile! For extra warmth and character, wrap a thin strip of fabric or ribbon around the “neck” to create a scarf, and top it off with a tiny hat made from construction paper or a bottle cap. This is another seasonal favorite we love to do early in the winter season, allowing us to add them to our growing collection of charming snowman creations each year, bringing joy and a cozy atmosphere to our indoor decor.
15. Organize Cords in Toilet Paper Rolls
Tangled cables and unruly cords are a universal nuisance in modern households. This incredibly simple yet effective hack is one of my absolute favorites, and one I’ll never tire of recommending. It provides an immediate and lasting solution to cable chaos. To implement this, simply coil your individual cords – whether it’s for phone chargers, headphones, or small appliance wires – and then slip them neatly into an empty toilet paper tube. The rigid cardboard tube keeps the cord contained and prevents it from unraveling or tangling with others. To take your organization to the next level, label each tube with the name of the cable it holds (e.g., “Phone Charger,” “Camera USB,” “Laptop Power”). That way, you’ll never again have to embark on a frantic hunt for a specific cord or wrestle with a knot of wires. This method is not only free and eco-friendly, but it also transforms messy drawers and media centers into perfectly orderly spaces, making life just a little bit easier.
16. Unicorn Craft Project
Source: craftsyhacks.com
Unleash a dose of magic and whimsy with a captivating unicorn craft project made from a toilet paper tube. This enchanting activity allows for boundless creativity and results in a delightful decoration or toy. Start by painting your tube white, then let the decorating begin! The key elements are the horn, mane, and tail. For the horn, roll a small piece of paper into a cone shape and attach it to the top of the tube. Cover it in glitter or metallic paint for that magical sparkle. For the mane and tail, use colorful paper cutouts, yarn, or even strips of fabric. I particularly love using different colored yarns to create truly special, flowing manes and tails, adding texture and vibrancy. Add googly eyes and draw a cute smile to bring your unicorn to life. These finished unicorns are perfect for imaginative play, puppet shows on a rainy day, or simply as charming decorations that add a touch of fantasy to any space. I genuinely love to “unicorn-ify” anything, and these toilet paper tube unicorns are some of my absolute favorites!
17. Train Craft
Source: kidsactivitiesblog.com
All aboard for a creative journey with this fantastic train craft project! Using multiple toilet paper tubes, children can construct their very own locomotive and carriages for hours of imaginative play. Each toilet paper tube can represent a train car. Paint them in bright, cheerful colors, and add details like windows, doors, and wheels (cut from cardboard or drawn on). To connect the cars, you’ll need to punch holes. This little hole puncher works great for creating neat holes in each car, allowing them to be strung together with yarn, pipe cleaners, or even paper clips. Don’t forget to cut up extra tubes or use additional cardboard pieces to create a distinct lead car (engine) and a caboose, adding more complexity and realism to the train. This project is not only engaging for kids but also a superb way to develop fine motor skills and sequential thinking. It’s also recognized as one of the best classroom crafts for kids, fostering collaboration and creative construction.
18. Organize Cables and Prevent Tangling
Expanding on the previous organization hack, this tip focuses on systematically managing all those extra or infrequently used cables that often contribute to household clutter. Instead of letting them become a tangled mess in a drawer or box, repurpose toilet paper tubes (or even paper towel rolls cut to size for longer cables) into individual protective sleeves. Carefully coil each cable – whether it’s an HDMI, USB, ethernet, or power cord – and slide it snugly into a tube. This simple act prevents kinks, damage, and frustrating tangles. To maintain a truly efficient system, group these organized tubes together in a designated box, drawer, or even a repurposed shoe box. Critically, label each tube clearly with the cable’s function or the device it belongs to. This practice eliminates the exasperating search for that one elusive cable you can never seem to find when you need it most. It’s a testament to the power of simple, sustainable solutions in creating an orderly and functional home environment.
19. Popsicles Art Project
Source: littleladoo.com
Get ready for a cool and colorful art project that brings the joy of summer indoors: crafting delightful popsicles from toilet paper tubes. This imaginative activity allows children to create their own vibrant, non-melting treats. The toilet paper tube serves as the base for the popsicle, which can be painted in bright, inviting colors like cherry red, lime green, or sunny yellow. Once the paint is dry, children can add details like sprinkles (using small paper dots or glitter) or swirl patterns. For the popsicle stick, simply glue a craft stick or a strip of brown paper to the bottom of the tube. We particularly love making these in the last month of school, building anticipation for the summer season and all its frosty delights! These handmade popsicles are not only charming decorations but also fantastic props for imaginative play. Kids can store them with their other play food or use them to set up their very own pretend ice cream shop or truck, fostering creativity and social interaction.
20. Mandala
Source: colorfulcraftcorner.com
For those who appreciate intricate designs and meditative crafting, creating a stunning mandala from toilet paper tubes is a truly rewarding art project. While it requires a bit of time and certainly some planning, the result is a beautiful, three-dimensional piece of art. The process involves cutting the toilet paper tubes into numerous small, even circles. These circles then become the building blocks for your mandala. Arrange and glue them together in radial symmetry, creating captivating patterns and layers. If you desire a vibrant, colorful mandala, the best way to achieve an evenly applied, rich hue is through a few layers of spray paint. After everything has dried initially, go back with your chosen colors and give it several coats until you are pleased with the depth and saturation. This project is perfect for adults looking for a calming and detailed craft, offering a unique way to upcycle cardboard into a decorative masterpiece that reflects balance and harmony.
21. Advent Calendar
Source: danyabanya.com
Make the countdown to Christmas, a birthday, or any eagerly anticipated special day even more exciting with a personalized DIY advent or countdown calendar. This project brilliantly repurposes toilet paper tubes into individual compartments filled with treats, small toys, or daily messages. The core idea is to cover each toilet paper tube in fun, festive paper or paint them in coordinating colors. Then, arrange them into any fun shape or structure you’d like or can manage – a Christmas tree, a house, or a simple grid. Each tube can be sealed at one end, filled with its surprise, and then sealed at the other, or simply covered with a numbered paper flap. To hang your magnificent creation, use a hole puncher to create openings at the top of a few strategically placed tubes and string sturdy rope or ribbon through them. This allows you to hang your calendar on a wall or door, creating a captivating focal point that builds excitement day by day. It’s a wonderful way to create personalized traditions and memories for years to come.