Toilet Paper Rolls and Other Cardboard Tubes
If you are looking for crafting ideas with items you have at home, this episode is full of inspiration! Share your cardboard tube crafts on Instagram with the hashtag #thegreattoiletrollchallenge or check out what crafters are making around the world.
You can listen to this podcast episode about creative reuse of toilet paper tubes from March 2020. It is the most popular episode of Trashmagination of all time, and has been downloaded more than 9,000 by June 2023 – it’s a real puzzle why people are so interested in upcycling toilet paper tubes!
Toilet Paper Tube Activities with Younger Children
Toilet Paper Tube Cars – We made these for my son’s birthday and raced them from our patio down two ropes.
Nature Scavenger Hunt with Toilet Paper Tube Binoculars
Koinobori Mini-Windsock with a Carp Design – Made by Squirrelly Minds
Kadomatsu or New Years Decorations designed by me!
Toilet Paper Tube Activities for Older Children and Adults
Constellation Scopes – Practice recognizing constellations! Download a PDF with the designs for well-known constellations that you can cut out and attach to a cardboard tube. (Created by the Museum of Science in Boston, Massachusetts)
Take a “Moon Selfie” of yourself or a pet – The new face for the “man in the moon.”
Maze Ball Game – Get construction instructions by Frugal Fun for Boys or check out the video below:
Marble Chute Game
Cardboard Tube Instrument by Nathan Selikoff
Speaker for your phone made from a Pringles canister
Artists Who Work with Toilet Paper Rolls and other Cardboard Tubes
Junior Fritz Jacquet – Origami artist from France
Anastassia Elias – Illustrator from France
Awesome interview on a new Turkish TV show called Geri Dönüşen Sanat about artists who recycle materials – great job to director Tunahan İlbars!
Nituniyo – Elephant sculpture from 2015 called Somnis de Pes
Bea Szenfeld’s Toilet Paper Tube Dress from 2013