20 Creative Paper Towel Roll Crafts

In our house, we go through paper towels quite often. Just the other day, as I was about to put another empty roll in the recycling bin, my daughter grabbed it and insisted it was a spyglass for her adventure.

Inspired by her excitement, we decided to gather all our cardboard tubes and create our own collection of paper towel roll crafts, bringing some of that imaginative magic indoors.

1. Awesome Marble Run Activity

Let’s build a marble run using some paper rolls, cardboard, and tape. I think this one is so great because it’s a STEM craft that helps teach about gravity and motion.

It’s a fun engineering challenge that turns recycled stuff into a super exciting toy for active play and problem-solving.

2. Magical Unicorn Craft

You can transform old paper rolls into magical unicorns with paper horns and yarn manes!

I just love this whimsical craft because it really encourages imagination and storytelling. It’s perfect for all the unicorn fans and fairy-tale lovers out there.

3. Stylish Napkin Rings for Home Decor

Create some seriously stylish napkin rings with paper towel rolls and wrapping paper.

This is a quick and cute craft that adds a handmade touch to your dining table. What a perfect recycling idea for festive get-togethers or just for daily use at home.

4. Floating Jellyfish Art Project

Make some jellyfish with paper rolls, paint, and yarn. Kids will absolutely love watching them float around in water or just hang from the ceiling.

This is a fun ocean-themed craft that helps build scissor and gluing skills with a big splash of creativity.

5. Father’s Day Superhero Craft

Let’s create superhero figures using paper rolls and pom poms. This fun craft is a great way to celebrate dads as real-life heroes.

It’s a thoughtful handmade gift idea that combines art, role-play, and a lot of love for special people.

6. Homemade Thanksgiving Turkey Craft

Make a thankful turkey with a paper roll, some feathers, and a face. This fun craft is just perfect for gratitude lessons or as holiday decor.

It encourages creativity and fine motor practice while celebrating the spirit of Thanksgiving. Gobble gobble!

7. Fun Bowling Game Activity

You can create a mini bowling set using paper rolls and duct tape balls.

This active game is fantastic for encouraging gross motor development and hand-eye coordination. It’s a fun indoor or outdoor activity that mixes crafting and physical play together.

8. Dragon Pencil Pot Holder

Design a dragon pencil holder using paper towel rolls and markers. This detailed craft is perfect for adults who are really into fantasy art.

It’s a fun and creative way to reuse materials while organizing your workspace with a little flair.

9. Adorable Zebra Craft

Make a striped zebra using a paper roll, black paper, and some pipe cleaners. This fun craft helps kids learn all about African animals.

It supports cutting, gluing, and imaginative play with a wild twist. My kids love animal crafts!

10. Upcycled Angel Decoration for Christmas

Craft an angel ornament with a paper towel roll, paint, and gold ribbon. This sweet holiday craft makes a lovely tree decoration or gift.

It combines creativity with tradition for a festive, handmade touch.

11. Sparkling Ice Castle Craft

Build a sparkling ice castle using glitter, paper, and a tissue box for the base. This winter craft brings a little magic to any room.

It’s great for pretend play or holiday decorations that shimmer and shine just like snow-covered castles.

12. Flower Stamping Art Idea

Use paper towel rolls to stamp beautiful flowers on paper. This mess-free toddler craft is great for supporting color recognition and creativity.

It’s a joyful way to explore art through textures and patterns with simple items from around the house.

13. DIY Springtime Craft

Celebrate spring with a paper roll craft featuring bunnies, butterflies, or flowers. Use paint, glue, and paper to make some festive decorations.

This is a joyful seasonal activity that welcomes warmer days with hands-on crafting.

14. Simple Monkey Animal Craft

Make a cheeky monkey with a paper roll, pipe cleaners, and eyes. You can twist the legs and arms for a movable friend!

This is a fun and interactive craft that supports fine motor skills and jungle-themed learning.

15. Caterpillar Pencil Holder Craft

Turn a paper roll into a super cute caterpillar pencil holder. Add some legs, eyes, and stripes for extra charm.

It’s a fun and practical craft that keeps stationery tidy while encouraging imagination and design thinking.

16. Simple Heart Stamping Art

Stamp some hearts using cut paper towel rolls and paint. This sensory-friendly activity is great for Valentine’s Day or any love-themed crafts.

Kids have so much fun rolling, dipping, and creating colorful heart patterns on paper.

17. Easy Rainstick Craft for Kids

Let’s build a rainstick using a paper towel roll, rice, and foil. This fun sound craft teaches kids about music and nature.

It’s a hands-on STEM and art combo that is perfect for curious learners and music lovers.

18. Awesome iPod Speaker Craft

Build a basic speaker booster with a paper roll and cups. This STEM craft is all about exploring sound amplification.

A fun and educational activity for tech-savvy kids who love experimenting with homemade gadgets.

19. DIY Paper Towel Roll Mermaid

Design a beautiful mermaid using a paper roll, glitter, and a paper tail. This magical craft really sparks that underwater imagination.

It’s great for ocean themes or dress-up play and is perfect for mermaid lovers of all ages.

20. Adorable Winter Reindeer Craft

Craft some cute reindeer with paper rolls, antlers, and glue. You can add eyes and a red nose for some extra charm.

This is a festive winter activity that brings holiday cheer and creativity to classrooms or homes.

21. Easy Castle Tower Craft

Make a fun castle tower with a paper towel roll and colorful construction paper. This easy DIY craft helps boost creativity and fine motor skills.

It’s perfect for fairy tales or medieval-themed learning, and great for preschoolers and early elementary kids.

22. How To Make a Desk Organizer

Turn empty rolls into a useful desk organizer with some paint and recycled materials.

This eco-friendly project teaches kids about upcycling while making their school supplies more organized and decorative. Win-win all around!

23. DIY Firefly Craft Activity

Make glowing fireflies using paper rolls, LED lights, and yellow paint. I remember catching fireflies as a kid!

This magical craft brings storytelling and science together. It’s great for summer themes or nighttime play with glowing bugs made from recycled materials.

24. Patriotic Wind Twirlers Craft

Celebrate holidays with spinning wind twirlers made from paper towel rolls. Just paint them red, white, and blue, then add some ribbons.

This outdoor craft spins in the breeze and teaches kids about movement and air power.

25. Rainbow Wind Catcher Craft

Make a rainbow wind catcher using colorful tissue strips and a paper roll. Hang it outside to watch the colors swirl in the breeze.

This is a simple and joyful craft that teaches about wind and weather with a big splash of color.

26. Adorable Swan Craft Activity

Craft a graceful swan with a paper towel roll and feathers. This cute animal craft supports fine motor practice and creativity.

It’s ideal for zoo units or as a fun decoration celebrating birds and nature.

27. Fun Seahorse Puppets Craft

Create some playful seahorse puppets using paper rolls, googly eyes, and paint. Kids can act out ocean stories or sing sea songs with them.

This is a fun puppet-making activity that boosts creativity and storytelling skills.

28. Recycled Cactus Craft

Make a whole cactus garden using toilet and paper towel rolls.

Just paint and glue them for a 3D desert scene. It’s a fun and eco-friendly way to explore nature and landforms with kids.

29. Homemade Xylophone Instrument Craft

Make a musical xylophone using paper rolls and colorful ribbons. You can tap it with spoons to create tunes!

This is a fun sound craft that introduces rhythm and music to young children in a playful, hands-on way.

30. Flower Wall Art Decoration

Make some vibrant flower wall art with painted paper rolls. Cut and layer them for a cool 3D effect.

It’s a cheerful décor idea that brings spring indoors and lets kids express their creativity on canvas or paper.

31. Easy Birdhouse Craft for Summer

Build a temporary birdhouse using paper rolls and natural materials. This eco-friendly craft teaches kids about birds and their habitats.

A fun outdoor project that blends nature and creativity during those warm-weather months.

32. Simple Halloween Craft for Kids

Make some spooky Halloween characters like ghosts, bats, or witches from paper rolls. This festive craft gets kids super excited for the season.

Perfect for classroom parties or homemade decorations that are full of frightful fun.

33. Reindeer Christmas Ornament Craft

Create some silly reindeer ornaments with paper rolls, buttons, and eyes. This adorable craft makes great tree decorations or classroom gifts.

A fun way to celebrate Christmas with a little help from Santa’s flying friends.

34. Colorful Autumn Leaves Craft

Stamp autumn leaves using paper roll ends and fall-colored paints. This sensory craft is all about exploring seasonal changes and patterns.

Kids enjoy pressing, rolling, and watching their leaf prints come to life on the paper.

35. DIY Fall Windsock Craft

Create a breezy windsock with a paper roll, colorful paper, and yarn tails. Hang it outside to see how the wind moves.

This is a simple and engaging craft that teaches kids about weather and movement.

36. 3D Paper Towel Roll Tree

Make a standing 3D tree with paper rolls, paint, and felt. This nature-inspired craft adds a fresh look to rooms or desks.

It’s great for Earth Day or forest-themed learning with a decorative, handmade feel.

37. Homemade Mother’s Day Bracelet Gift

Create a bracelet using cut paper roll strips and beads. You can decorate it with markers or stickers for a personalized gift.

A sweet and thoughtful Mother’s Day craft that shows love through handmade creativity.

38. Cute Butterfly Craft Activity

Make some fluttering butterflies using paper rolls, wings, and pipe cleaner antennae. This insect craft supports both science and art.

It’s great for spring themes or learning about metamorphosis in a fun and colorful way.

39. Easy Easter Bunnies Craft

Craft some hopping bunnies with paper rolls, cotton balls, and ears. This Easter craft adds so much charm to holiday displays.

It’s perfect for kids who love animals and festive decorating with a soft and cuddly finish.

40. Upcycled Flower Craft for Wall Decor

Make blooming flowers from paper rolls and paint. Layer the petals for a 3D wall display that will brighten any space.

A fun and easy way to bring color and creativity into your home using recycled materials. What’s not to love?