Lovely Play & Recreation

Make the most of it before you toss it! Practical, grown-up craft ideas using plastic wrap cores

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

“It feels like such a waste to throw it away!” “Isn’t there some way to use it?” Many of us probably think this when we’re holding a sturdy plastic wrap core.

In fact, with a little creativity, wrap cores can be transformed into handy, stylish accessories.

In this article, we’ll share craft ideas using wrap cores—like pen holders, trinket boxes, and kids’ toys—that adults will genuinely want to make.

With easily sourced materials, you can create original pieces that add fun to your everyday life.

If you’ve been unsure how to dispose of those wrap cores, why not enjoy making some lovely handmade items instead?

Use it before you toss it! Practical, grown-up DIY ideas using plastic wrap cores (21–30)

Advent calendar

An Advent calendar lets you count down from December 1 to Christmas.

Many have candies inside and are popular as gifts for children.

Let’s make an Advent calendar using a paper towel or plastic wrap tube! Put sweets inside the tube and cap the ends, then stack the tubes in the shape of a tree and secure them.

Attach construction paper with numbers written on it to the caps, add Christmas-themed decorations, and you’re done.

For the caps, try covering the ends with origami paper or gluing on circular pieces of cardboard.

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Fun-to-shake shaker

Here’s a fun shaker made from a plastic wrap core.

Use origami made of film.

Wrap double-sided tape around the core and seal one end with the origami.

From the other side, add beads or similar fillings and seal it the same way with origami.

Wrap washi tape around it, then cut the origami into strips and wrap them on.

Add googly-eye stickers and a mouth to finish! It’s fun to dance with to music, too.

Little kids will enjoy it, so be sure to make it together and have a great time!

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Maze ideas

@tomonite_official
A handmade maze using a wrap core! This looks fun for both kids and adults♪ Try making it together with your child 😊 Please use this idea with adult supervision and with safety in mind. Featured from Instagram: a post by @mimita_asobi ✨ Thank you for the wonderful post. ↓↓↓ ───────────────── 【Not trash: A Spinny Maze with a Wrap Core】 Today’s post is a “spinny maze”! The child was super focused! But then they said, “Make a harder one next time,” 🫣 I guess it was a bit too easy for a five-year-old! You can make lots of different versions☺️ The child was able to make it themselves too, so everyone, try making it with your kiddo 👍🏻 ̖́- ▷Materials for today 〇 Wrap core (cardboard tube from plastic wrap) 〇 Paper (construction paper or copy paper is fine) 〇 Wrapping film 〇 Double-sided tape 〇 Stickers (or draw directly on the film) 〇 Pens/markers for drawing ───────────────── This is Tomonite @tomonite_official. Even on busy days, we want family time to be full of smiles! We share: 🏠 Time-saving housework and parenting hacks 💎 Convenient items with great time and cost performance 👶 Relatable parenting moments and heartwarming videos ✨ A favor ✨ Likes and comments really encourage us! If you found this post helpful or enjoyed it, we’d be happy if you leave a 👶 in the comments! All posts introduced by Tomonite are shared with permission from the original creators. Comments that may hurt others may be hidden by our team. We’d love for everyone to enjoy comfortable conversations and to connect a lot here ✨#AtHomePlay work Simple craft Maze
♬ Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts

You can make a fun maze with a cardboard wrap core! Here’s a simple way to do it.

First, cut construction paper to the length of the wrap core, and draw a maze on it using any writing tools you like.

Attach double-sided tape to the paper with the maze and wrap it around the core.

Next, cut a piece of wrapping film to about 5 cm and stick your favorite stickers on it—that’s it! Thread it through the wrap core to play the maze game.

If you make the construction paper removable, you can enjoy original mazes over and over again.

It’s also recommended to use stickers of your favorite characters to enjoy a themed world.

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Maze ideas

@tomonite_official
A handmade maze using a wrap core! This looks fun for both kids and adults♪ Try making it together with your child 😊 Please use this idea with adult supervision and with safety in mind. Featured from Instagram: a post by @mimita_asobi ✨ Thank you for the wonderful post. ↓↓↓ ───────────────── 【Not trash: A Spinny Maze with a Wrap Core】 Today’s post is a “spinny maze”! The child was super focused! But then they said, “Make a harder one next time,” 🫣 I guess it was a bit too easy for a five-year-old! You can make lots of different versions☺️ The child was able to make it themselves too, so everyone, try making it with your kiddo 👍🏻 ̖́- ▷Materials for today 〇 Wrap core (cardboard tube from plastic wrap) 〇 Paper (construction paper or copy paper is fine) 〇 Wrapping film 〇 Double-sided tape 〇 Stickers (or draw directly on the film) 〇 Pens/markers for drawing ───────────────── This is Tomonite @tomonite_official. Even on busy days, we want family time to be full of smiles! We share: 🏠 Time-saving housework and parenting hacks 💎 Convenient items with great time and cost performance 👶 Relatable parenting moments and heartwarming videos ✨ A favor ✨ Likes and comments really encourage us! If you found this post helpful or enjoyed it, we’d be happy if you leave a 👶 in the comments! All posts introduced by Tomonite are shared with permission from the original creators. Comments that may hurt others may be hidden by our team. We’d love for everyone to enjoy comfortable conversations and to connect a lot here ✨#AtHomePlay work Simple craft Maze
♬ Bling-Bang-Bang-Born – Creepy Nuts

You can make a fun maze with a cardboard wrap core! Here’s a simple way to do it.

First, cut construction paper to the length of the wrap core, and draw a maze on it using any writing tools you like.

Attach double-sided tape to the paper with the maze and wrap it around the core.

Next, cut a piece of wrapping film to about 5 cm and stick your favorite stickers on it—that’s it! Thread it through the wrap core to play the maze game.

If you make the construction paper removable, you can enjoy original mazes over and over again.

It’s also recommended to use stickers of your favorite characters to enjoy a themed world.

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Fly! Core Rocket

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Here’s how to make an easy “core rocket.” You’ll need a plastic wrap core, a toilet paper core, two rubber bands, and a straw.

First, cut the straw so it’s just a little longer than the opening of the toilet paper core.

Link the two rubber bands by looping them together.

Tape the rubber bands to the straw, then tape the straw onto the plastic wrap core with cellophane tape.

Once it’s set up so the toilet paper core can be launched, you’re done! Decorate the toilet paper core however you like to make your own original rocket.

Have fun and get creative!

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Fly! Core Rocket

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Here’s how to make an easy “core rocket.” You’ll need a plastic wrap core, a toilet paper core, two rubber bands, and a straw.

First, cut the straw so it’s just a little longer than the opening of the toilet paper core.

Link the two rubber bands by looping them together.

Tape the rubber bands to the straw, then tape the straw onto the plastic wrap core with cellophane tape.

Once it’s set up so the toilet paper core can be launched, you’re done! Decorate the toilet paper core however you like to make your own original rocket.

Have fun and get creative!

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Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

No drill or cutter needed: Make instruments with a plastic wrap core [Crafts]

Making instruments with a plastic wrap core

Let’s make a Chilean instrument that sounds like rain using a plastic wrap core! First, mark a bunch of toothpicks at the length of the wrap core so they match its length.

Next, cut the wrap core in a spiral.

Glue the cut toothpicks along the spiral using wood glue or similar adhesive.

Once you return the spiraled core to its original shape, seal the openings with duct tape.

Put in grains like mixed grains, different sizes of rice, beads, or beans.

After you cap it, your Chilean instrument, the rainstick, is complete!

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