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Kids get hooked on crafts with toilet paper rolls! Idea collection for elementary school students

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Many of you are probably wondering what to make for your summer vacation craft project.

So here, we’re sharing fun craft ideas you can make using a familiar material found at home: plastic wrap cores (cardboard tubes).

We’ve gathered lots of projects—like a lint-roller-style cleaner, hanging toys, and coin clappers—that you can play with and learn from once they’re finished.

All of them use easily sourced materials and have simple instructions.

Use this as a guide to get creative with your kids and make a one-of-a-kind original piece together!

Kids Get Hooked on Toilet Paper Roll Crafts! Ideas for Elementary Schoolers (1–10)

Marble run

Handmade marble run

Marble run

This is a fun craft where a marble spirals around and drops down along the core of a plastic wrap roll.

All you do is stick skewers into the roll while keeping step-like levels in mind—simple, but the skewers’ angles and spacing are key.

If you place the skewers poorly, the marble won’t make it to the bottom, so it’s best to experiment as you go.

The light, pleasant sound as it rolls is part of the fun, too, so aim for a satisfying sound by fine-tuning the number of skewers and the angles of the steps.

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Balloon pistol

Hit-the-target game powered by balloons! Super easy recycled craft: the “Balloon Pistol” #crafts #handmadetoys

Balloon pistol

You can play a fun target game using the power of a balloon! Use decorative pom-poms as the balls.

First, cut a balloon around the middle and attach it to a paper towel roll core.

Secure it with a rubber band so it won’t come off, and it’s ready! Put the decorative balls inside, pull back the balloon, and launch the balls to play.

Make the targets out of milk cartons.

It’s also recommended to decorate the launcher and shape it like a cool pistol using cardboard or any decorations you like.

Have fun with your own original ideas!

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Small box for cling film cores

Eraser Stamps & 100-Yen-Shop Stickers: A Box Made from a Plastic Wrap Core — Eraser Stamp/Small Circular Box

Small box for cling film cores

There’s a way to make a small container using a used plastic wrap core.

First, cut the core crosswise to match your desired size, as if slicing it into rings.

This length will be the depth of the container.

Next, make a bottom and a lid from thick paper or cardboard, and you’re done.

It’ll be on the smaller side, so it’s perfect for things like accessories or erasers.

Another charm of this container is that the impression changes a lot depending on the lid’s design.

Try to finish it with as cute a look as possible.

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Kids Get Hooked on Crafts with Toilet Paper Rolls! Ideas for Elementary Schoolers (11–20)

Let’s make a bow and arrow

How to make a bow and arrow from a single plastic wrap core (Beginner)

Let's make a bow and arrow

Here’s how to make a bow and arrow from a plastic wrap core! First, poke a hole in the center of the core, then make four vertical cuts along the tube.

Bend the cut middle sections inward on both sides.

Next, use rubber bands and twine to make the bow.

Hook a rubber band onto the indented part of the bow to finish it.

Make the arrows using a bamboo skewer and paper.

Since bamboo skewers are light, be sure to wrap them with paper.

Once your arrows are ready, set up a target and try it out.

You might be surprised at how far they fly.

Make sure small children are careful.

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hanging toy

[Handmade] How to Make a Hanging Toy with a Plastic Wrap Core | Upcycle

hanging toy

Let me introduce a hanging toy that’s fun to watch as it sways.

Before you begin, prepare several empty plastic wrap (cling film) cores.

Then combine pieces by slicing the cores into rings or cutting them into various shapes.

Tie them together with string so that each part can move when the toy is hung.

You can also customize it by hanging a bouncy ball or attaching a bell to the frame made from the wrap cores to make a toy for parakeets.

Feel free to let your ideas grow and enjoy creating it.

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Extending Sword

Let's make a sword that extends using a calendar and a wrapping paper core!

Extending Sword

Here’s how to make an extendable sword using a plastic wrap core and paper.

First, cut the core and use construction paper or similar to make the handle.

Next, make the blade with calendar paper.

Cut the paper so it’s as long as possible.

Roll it tightly so it fits inside the plastic wrap core.

Apply cellophane tape to the paper and adjust it so it matches the inside of the core, then stick it in place.

Once it’s the right size, you’re done! You can twist to extend and retract it for play.

Be careful not to pull it out too far.

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A climbing ladybug!

Easy magnet craft! A climbing ladybug! Recycle plastic wrap and toilet paper cores! #crafts #handmadeToys #summerVacationCrafts #recycledCrafts

A climbing ladybug!

Here’s how to make a ladybug toy you can play with using magnets.

First, decorate a half-sphere of Styrofoam to look like a ladybug using pens or any materials you like.

Attach a magnet to the back of the ladybug with double-sided tape.

Next, flatten a toilet paper tube and cut it in half.

Use double-sided tape to fix the cut piece around a wooden stick to form a ring, then attach a magnet so it attracts the ladybug’s magnet.

Make a “tree” using a plastic wrap (cling film) tube, and insert the stick inside the tube.

When you move the stick up and down, the ladybug will move too! It’s also fun to make other bugs or your favorite characters instead of a ladybug, so give it a try!

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