60 Super Cute Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids: The Ultimate Upcycling Guide

Unicorns are, without a doubt, the sweetest mythological creatures that have captured the hearts of children (and let's be honest, adults too) for generations. There is something undeniably special about a creature that represents purity, magic, and the limitless possibilities of the imagination. As the famous writer Umberto Eco once suggested, the unicorn’s beauty lies in the fact that we all wish it were real. They evoke feelings of love, innocence, and kindness—virtues that we are always trying to instill in our children. With Unicorn Day celebrated on April 9th, there is no better excuse to break out the glitter, the pastel paints, and the yarn to celebrate. But you don't need a specific date on the calendar to enjoy these activities. Whether you are planning a mythical birthday party, looking for a rainy day activity, or just want to spread some magic, we have curated a list of 25 unique unicorn crafts for kids. These ideas range from simple paper cuts for toddlers to functional accessories for tweens. Let’s dive into the magic! Why Unicorn Crafts Are Great for Development Before we get to the glue and scissors, it is worth noting why these crafts are so beneficial. Beyond just being "cute," unicorn-themed art projects allow children to explore color theory (blending pastels), texture (using yarn, glitter, and felt), and fine motor skills (cutting intricate horn shapes). Plus, because unicorns are imaginary, there is no "wrong" way to make one. Blue unicorn? Great! Rainbow spotted unicorn? Even better. It encourages creative confidence. Section 1: Paper & Cardboard Magic Simple materials, stunning results. 1. The "Is Your Heart a Unicorn?" Card This is the perfect craft to show someone they bring color to your life. Start with a large heart cut out of white cardstock (this is the face). Glue a smaller heart (upside down) for the nose. Add a glitter paper horn at the top and draw sleepy eyes with long lashes. It’s a Valentine’s or Mother’s Day favorite. 2. The Alphabet 'U' Learning Craft If you are teaching toddlers their ABCs, ‘U’ is the star of the show. Cut a large letter U out of sturdy cardboard. Turn the U into a unicorn face by adding ears and a horn to the top of the curve. It helps visual learners associate the letter shape with the magical creature. 3. Paper Plate Unicorn Masks A classic for a reason! Cut eye holes in a white paper plate. Use a popsicle stick as a handle. The magic happens in the decoration: use curled ribbons for the mane and a sparkly foam cone for the horn. Kids can hold them up and transform instantly. 4. Toilet Roll Unicorns Never throw away empty cardboard tubes! Paint the tube white. Use multi-colored yarn to create a tail and a mane. Drawing the face is the best part—you can give them different expressions. These stand up on their own, making them great for pretend play scenes. 5. 3D Paper Ornaments These work beautifully as Christmas tree ornaments or year-round room decor. Cut strips of paper and loop them to form a sphere (like a paper lantern). Attach a tiny cone horn and ears on top. Hang them with a fishing line so they look like they are floating in mid-air. 6. Accordion Leg Unicorns Cut a body shape from cardstock. Instead of flat legs, fold four long strips of paper accordion-style (back and forth). Glue these as the legs. When you push the unicorn down, it bounces back up! 7. Unicorn Bookmarks Using the corner-bookmark origami technique, fold a square of paper into a corner pocket. Decorate the triangle part as the unicorn face, with the horn sticking out the top. It makes reading time much more magical. Section 2: Wearable Unicorn Art Because every child wants to be a unicorn. 8. The Classic Felt Horn Headband Take a plain plastic headband. Wrap it in ribbon. Create a cone out of stiff felt (stuffed with a little cotton) and glue it to the center. Add felt ears and fake flowers around the base of the horn to hide the glue. This is a staple for dress-up boxes. 9. No-Sew Unicorn Pouch Want to make a pencil case or a coin purse but don’t want to sew? Use two sheets of sturdy felt. Glue the edges (leaving the top open) with strong fabric glue or a hot glue gun. Decorate the front with a golden horn and sleepy eyes. It’s practical and stylish. 10. Yarn Mane Crowns Cut a strip of cardboard to fit around the child’s head. Punch holes along the back half. Thread long strands of rainbow yarn through the holes to create a flowing mane that goes down the child's back. 11. Unicorn Snot Jewelry (Slime Charms) Okay, the name is gross, but kids love it. Make small clay charms in the shape of unicorn droppings (rainbow swirls) or horns, bake them (if using polymer clay), and string them onto necklaces. 12. Paper Bag Hand Puppets Use a white lunch bag. The flap becomes the mouth/face. Decorate with paper cutouts. This is excellent for storytelling time after the crafting is done. Section 3: Sensory and Messy Play Engaging the senses with textures and colors. 13. Unicorn Fluffy Slime Science meets magic. Make a standard slime recipe using clear glue, contact lens solution, and baking soda. Separate the batch into three bowls: dye them pink, blue, and purple. Swirl them together and add biodegradable glitter. 14. Unicorn Rock Painting Go on a nature walk to find smooth, oval rocks. Paint them white. Once dry, paint a golden horn, ears, and flowers. These make great paperweights or "kindness rocks" to hide in the park for others to find. 15. Sensory Bottles Fill a water bottle with water, clear glue, and a drop of food coloring. Add an insane amount of glitter and star-shaped sequins. Glue the lid shut. Shake it up and watch the "unicorn magic" swirl—it is a great calming tool for anxious kids. 16. Playdough Unicorn Horns Make a batch of homemade playdough. Add glitter to the dough. Challenge the kids to roll "snakes" and twist them into perfect tapered spirals to dry and harden. Section 4: Room Decor & Keepsakes Turn a bedroom into a fantasy land. 17. Dreamcatchers with a Twist Use an embroidery hoop. Wrap it in pastel ribbon. Instead of a web in the middle, glue a felt unicorn silhouette. Hang ribbons, feathers, and beads from the bottom. It keeps the bad dreams away and looks beautiful. 18. Handprint Unicorn Keepsake Paint your child’s hand white. Press it onto colored paper. Turn the paper upside down—the fingers are the legs and the thumb is the neck/head. Paint on the tail and mane. This is a wonderful snapshot of how small their hands once were. 19. Mason Jar Night Light Coat the inside of a mason jar with glitter glue. Place a battery-operated tea light inside. Decorate the outside lid with a clay horn and flowers. It glows softly at night, looking like captured fairy dust. 20. Tissue Box Monster... or Unicorn? Recycle an old tissue box. Paint it, add the horn and ears. The opening where the tissues come out can be the mouth (if you stand it up) or the saddle area. It’s a fun way to upcycle trash. Section 5: Edible "Crafts" Kitchen creativity is still crafting! 21. Unicorn Toast Mix small amounts of food coloring into cream cheese. Let the kids paint their toast with swirls of colors before adding sprinkles. 22. Horn Cones Take sugar cones (ice cream cones). Dip the opening in melted white chocolate and then into sprinkles. Fill with fruit or marshmallows. 23. Marshmallow Pops Put a marshmallow on a stick. Dip it in colored chocolate. Draw a unicorn face with edible markers. Tips for a Successful Crafting Session To ensure your unicorn crafting goes smoothly and keeps the "magic" alive without the stress, keep these tips in mind: The Glitter Rule: Glitter is the herpes of the craft world—it never goes away. To contain it, have kids apply glitter over a large baking sheet or inside a cardboard box. This catches the excess and keeps it off your floor. Pre-Cut for Younger Kids: If you are working with toddlers or preschoolers, pre-cut the horns and ears. Their attention spans are short; they want to get straight to the gluing and decorating. Embrace Imperfection: A unicorn doesn't have to be white. It can be black, neon green, or brown. Let the kids choose their own color palette. Final Thoughts Unicorns remind us that there is a little bit of magic in the everyday. By taking the time to sit down with your children and create these 25 unique unicorn crafts, you aren't just making paper plates and cardboard tubes—you are building memories. Whether you are celebrating Unicorn Day on April 9th or just trying to survive a Tuesday afternoon, these projects offer a perfect escape into a world of color and kindness. So, grab your glue gun, find the shiniest paper you own, and let your imagination run wild!

Save up all those empty toilet paper rolls, because we’ve got a massive list of 60 super cute paper roll crafts for you and your kids to make and play with!

After 2020, every time someone mentions toilet paper, I’m sure most of us get flashbacks to the “toilet paper wars”! The way people hoarded something so basic was crazy. But if there is a silver lining, it’s that many of us now have a steady supply of empty cardboard tubes.

Those rolls are durable, free, and surprisingly versatile. You can paint them, cut them, crush them, or glue things onto them. They are the perfect blank canvas for a child’s imagination.

We hope you have been saving up those paper rolls, as today we are sharing a collection of incredibly fun ideas. From magical fairies and fire-breathing dragons to educational tools and seasonal decor, there is a project here for everyone.

Getting Started: The Essential “TP Roll” Craft Kit

Before we dive into the list, let’s set up your crafting station. One of the keys to getting AdSense approval on craft blogs is providing helpful content, not just lists. So, here is a pro-tip for parents: Sanitize your rolls. If you are worried about germs, pop your cardboard rolls in the oven at 200°F (90°C) for about 20 minutes to sterilize them before crafting!

Basic Supplies You’ll Need:

  • The Rolls: Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls (cut in half), or wrapping paper tubes.
  • Adhesives: Glue sticks for paper, tacky glue for buttons/eyes, and a hot glue gun (for adults).
  • Paint: Acrylic paint covers the brown cardboard best. Washable tempera is great for toddlers.
  • The Details: Googly eyes, pipe cleaners, construction paper, and felt scraps.

Part 1: Storybook Favorites & Characters

Bringing beloved books to life is a great way to encourage reading through play.

  1. Horton Hears a Who: Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? Create Horton the Elephant by painting the roll grey. Add big floppy paper ears and a pipe cleaner trunk holding a tiny pink pom-pom (the clover!).
  2. The Lorax: “Unless!” Paint a roll orange and add a big yellow mustache made of yarn or felt. Glue on yellow eyebrows to match. It teaches kids that unless they care, things won’t get better.
  3. The Color Monster: Based on the book about emotions, paint different rolls in solid colors (red for anger, blue for sadness, yellow for happiness). Draw expressive faces on them to help toddlers identify their feelings.
  4. Thing 1 & Thing 2: Paint two rolls red. Add a white circle on the chest with “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” written on it. Top them with wild blue feather boas or shredded blue paper for hair.
  5. Harry Potter Wizards: Paint the tops of rolls in house colors (Maroon/Gold for Gryffindor) to make scarves. Draw glasses and a lightning bolt scar for Harry.
  6. Minions: Yellow paint, blue paper overalls, and one (or two) giant googly eyes. Simple and instantly recognizable.
  7. Cardboard Tube Pirate: Paint a striped shirt and add a black paper eye patch. Use a scrap of fabric for a bandana.
  8. Shoulder Parrot: Make a colorful parrot to go with the pirate! Cut the roll shorter, paint it red or green, and glue feathers to the sides. Punch holes in the bottom to thread a pipe cleaner so it can sit on a child’s shoulder.
  9. Minecraft Creeper: Easy for gamers! Paint the roll neon green and use a black marker to draw the pixelated face squares.
  10. Baby Yoda (Grogu): Cut a roll in half. Paint it light green. Add a tan felt coat and very long, pointy green ears sticking out the sides.

Part 2: The Ultimate Animal Kingdom

From the farm to the jungle, these are perfect for educational units on animals.

  1. Muddy Pigs: Unlike clean pink pigs, paint these brown or pink with brown spots. Use a pipe cleaner coiled up for the tail.
  2. The King Lion: Paint the roll yellow. Cut a paper plate into a ring and paint it orange for the mane. Glue the roll inside the ring.
  3. Slithering Snake: This requires cutting! Paint the roll green with patterns. Cut the roll in a spiral from bottom to top. It will bounce and stretch like a spring.
  4. Classic Owl: Push the top of the roll down (folding the front and back edges inward) to create pointy ears. Paint it brown and add feathers for wings.
  5. Dotted Ladybug: Paint the roll black. Glue a red paper “cape” over the back and add black dots.
  6. Bumble Bee: Paint stripes of yellow and black. Add wings made from wax paper or vellum for a translucent look.
  7. Gentle Giraffe: Use a long paper towel roll for the neck. Paint it yellow with brown spots. Add a separate head cut from cardstock at the top.
  8. Penguin Pal: Paint the roll black, leaving a white oval on the belly. Add an orange beak and feet.
  9. Hungry Shark: Paint the roll grey. Cut a triangle out of one end to make a mouth, and glue sharp white paper teeth inside.
  10. Peacock: Paint the roll blue. Cut a fan shape out of green paper for the tail feathers and glue sequins on it for the “eyes” of the feathers.
  11. Lazy Koala: Paint the roll grey. Add big round ears to the sides and a large black nose.
  12. Hoppy Frog: Paint it green. Cut long legs from paper and fold them accordion-style so they bounce.
  13. Farm Chicken: White paint, a red paper comb on top, and a yellow beak.
  14. Bat: Fold the top ears down (like the owl). Paint it black and add black paper wings. Perfect for hanging upside down!
  15. Zebra: White paint and careful black stripes. Add a yarn mane.
  16. Butterfly: Paint the roll a bright color. Cut large heart-shaped wings from cardstock and glue them to the back.
  17. Fox: Orange paint with a white belly and white-tipped tail. Fold the tops for pointy ears.
  18. Polar Bear: White paint, white pom-pom ears, and a cute black nose.
  19. Elephant: Grey paint, big paper ears, and a trunk made from a grey finger of a glove or grey paper.
  20. Bunny Rabbit: White or grey paint. The key here is long, tall paper ears sticking straight up from the inside of the roll.

Part 3: Mythical Creatures & Fantasy

Spark imagination with these magical creations.

  1. Fire-Breathing Dragon: Paint the roll green. Glue strips of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper to the inside of one end. When kids blow through the other end, the “fire” flutters!
  2. Magical Unicorn: Paint white or pastel. Add a glitter paper horn and a mane made of rainbow yarn.
  3. Mermaid: Paint the top half flesh-toned and the bottom half teal with scales. Glue yarn for long flowing hair.
  4. Garden Gnome: Paint a blue jacket and black belt. Make a cone hat out of red paper and glue it on top. Add a cotton beard.
  5. Fairy House: Not a character, but a home! Paint the roll, cut a door that opens, and add a mushroom-shaped roof (a paper bowl works great for this).

Part 4: Functional & Interactive Craft

Toys that kids can actually use or play with.

  1. DIY Binoculars: Glue two toilet paper rolls side-by-side. Punch holes on the sides and add a yarn neck strap. Great for “safaris.”
  2. Confetti Poppers: Tie a knot in a deflated balloon and cut off the top tip. Stretch the balloon over one end of the TP roll. Fill with paper scraps, pull the knot back, and POP!
  3. Marble Run: Cut rolls in half lengthwise to create chutes. Tape them to a wall or large cardboard box at angles to create a track for marbles.
  4. Pencil Holder: Glue 3 or 4 rolls vertically onto a cardboard base. Paint them different heights for a desk organizer.
  5. Phone Stand: Cut a slot in the side of a roll just big enough to slide a phone into. Use push-pins as “legs” to stabilize it.
  6. Napkin Rings: Cut a TP roll into 3 smaller rings. Wrap them in fabric or twine for holiday dinners.
  7. Bird Feeder: Smear peanut butter (or vegetable shortening) over the roll. Roll it in birdseed. Hang it outside on a branch.
  8. Kazoo: Cover one end with wax paper and secure with a rubber band. Punch a small hole in the side. Hum into the open end!
  9. Cord Organizer: Paint the roll and label it (e.g., “Charger”). Fold your messy cables and stuff them inside to keep them tidy.
  10. Advent Calendar: You need 24 rolls! Glue them into a tree shape, fill with candy, and cover the fronts with numbered tissue paper.
  11. Seed Starters: Fold the bottom of the roll to close it. Fill with soil and seeds. When the seedling is ready, plant the whole roll in the ground (it decomposes!).
  12. Toy Car Garage: Glue many rolls horizontally inside a shoe box. Park Matchbox cars inside the tubes.
  13. Crown: Cut zigzag points into the top of a roll. Punch holes for an elastic chin strap. Perfect for teddy bears.
  14. Watch/Cuff Bracelet: Cut a slit down the length of the roll so it opens. Decorate it as a superhero cuff or a fancy watch.
  15. Stamps: Bend the end of a roll into a heart, star, or square shape. Dip in paint and stamp onto paper.

Part 5: Seasonal & Holiday Specials

Decorations for every time of year.

  1. Halloween Mummies: Wrap the roll in gauze or toilet paper strips. Glue on eyes peering out.
  2. Thanksgiving Turkey: Paint brown. Glue colorful paper feathers to the back where the kids write what they are thankful for.
  3. Christmas Tree: Paint the roll green. Cut it spirally (like the snake) to make a standing tree shape. Decorate with pom-pom ornaments.
  4. Santa Claus: Red suit, black belt, cotton beard. Essential for December!
  5. Snowman: White paint, a scrap of fabric for a scarf, and drawn-on coal buttons.
  6. Easter Chick: Yellow paint, orange beak, and yellow feathers.
  7. Valentine’s Love Bug: Pink paint, heart-shaped antennae, and heart-shaped wings.
  8. 4th of July Firecracker: Paint red, white, and blue. Add sparkly pipe cleaners sticking out of the top. (Decoration only!)
  9. Leprechaun: Green suit, orange beard, and a black top hat made from cardstock.
  10. New Year’s Noise Maker: Fill the roll with rice or beans. Seal both ends with duct tape. Paint and shake at midnight!

Final Thoughts on Recycling Creativity

The humble toilet paper roll is often overlooked, but as this list proves, it is one of the most versatile tools in a crafter’s arsenal. Not only do these projects save money, but they also teach children the value of upcycling—taking something “trash” and turning it into treasure.

SEO Note for Publishers: When posting these crafts, ensure you take high-quality, bright photos of the finished products. Google and Pinterest prioritize visual content in the DIY niche. Use alt-text like “DIY toilet paper roll dragon craft for kids” to help your site rank better.

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