Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts Kids Will Love

Need easy Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts? These ideas turn empty tubes into Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and stars kids can make in minutes this holiday! 

Raise your hand if your recycling bin is overflowing with empty toilet paper rolls right now. 🙋‍♀️ Same here, friend! Before you toss them, grab the kids and try these Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts instead. Every idea is cheap, quick, and seriously cute.

What Are Cardboard Tube Christmas Crafts?

These are holiday projects that start with plain cardboard tubes from your bathroom or kitchen. Kids paint, wrap, or cut the tubes into Santas, reindeer, stars, and more. You can also swap in paper towel rolls when you want a taller character. Basically, they’re simple toilet paper roll crafts that turn trash into treasure for next to nothing.

Why You’ll Love These Ideas

First, these easy Christmas crafts use stuff you already have in the junk drawer. You won’t need a special trip to the craft store, which is a big win on a busy weeknight. Most projects take about 15 minutes from start to finish.

My two kiddos also love that every craft turns into a toy afterward. Their reindeer and Santas star in puppet shows on the coffee table for days. Plus, you get adorable homemade Christmas decorations without spending a dime. Honestly, what’s not to love? 😊

A Fun Way to Celebrate the Holiday Season

December is the ideal month to slow down and make something together. Crafting gives you that pause during the busiest weeks of the year. While little hands glue and paint, you get to chat, laugh, and make memories. These projects also spark creativity because no two reindeer ever look the same. In addition, kids build fine motor skills as they cut, fold, and squeeze glue bottles. Let’s be real, it also keeps them busy while you wrap presents! 🎁

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Supplies You Might Need

Most of these ideas use the same basic supplies. Start saving your tubes now, and you’ll have a stash ready in no time. Here’s a quick list to keep on hand this December:

• Empty toilet paper rolls or toilet roll tubes
• Paper towel rolls for taller crafts
• Acrylic paint or spray paint
• Construction paper and cardstock
• Googly eyes
• Pom poms (a white pom pom makes a perfect Santa hat tip!)
• Pipe cleaners and ribbon
• Cotton balls
• Glue stick, school glue, or hot glue (grown-ups only on that one, even I still burn myself when I use it!)
• Scissors
• Markers

Shop for everything you need if you don’t already have it handy. Click each image below to learn more:

Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts to Try

I rounded up 12 favorites from some of my favorite crafty bloggers. These Christmas craft ideas range from toddler-friendly stamping to cute characters for older kids. Pick one, or try a new one each weekend in December!

Variations to Try

Want to mix things up? Older kids can cut tubes into thin rings and glue them together into toilet paper roll snowflakes. Next, pinch a few rings into petal shapes for a pretty poinsettia ornament. For a fancier look, spray paint the tubes gold or silver before you start. A dab of glitter glue makes just about anything sparkle. Little ones, on the other hand, do best with stickers and pre-cut pieces.

Ways to Use Your Crafts

Once the glue dries, put those creations to work! Displaying them makes the whole house feel merry. Here are a few fun ideas to show them off:

• Hang them on the tree as homemade Christmas ornaments
• Paint thin rings green for Christmas tree napkin rings
• Line characters up as place cards at Christmas dinner
• Tuck a treat inside and hand them out as class party favors
• Add a personal touch to gifts with a mini tube topper
• Put on a puppet show for the grandparents

Let’s Get Crafting!

There you have it, mama! These Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts prove the best holiday activities don’t have to cost a thing. So save those tubes, clear off the kitchen table, and let the kids go wild. Don’t forget to save this post to your Christmas Pinterest board so you can find it fast. Also, sign up for my email list to get free holiday printables and easy seasonal ideas sent straight to your inbox! 💌

More Christmas Crafts to try:

• Christmas Wreath Ideas
• DIY Ornaments
• Christmas Countdown Crafts
• Printable Christmas Crafts
• Christmas Elf Crafts

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