![[Childcare] Play with Toilet Paper! A Collection of Craft and Play Ideas](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kj9ePNnWMjA/sddefault.jpg)
Toilet paper and toilet paper rolls are easy to get, so many teachers may be thinking about using them in childcare activities.
If you can expand your repertoire of games, you can enjoy various activities with the children.
However, some teachers may be worried that the play can become repetitive because the materials are so simple.
So this time, we’ve gathered ideas for games that use toilet paper and toilet paper rolls!
All of these ideas are safe and fun, so please use them as a reference.
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[Childcare] Play with Toilet Paper! A Collection of Craft and Play Ideas (1–10)
Shinkansen
Perfect for kids who love vehicles! Let’s make a movable Shinkansen (bullet train).
Recommended for children ages 4 and up.
First, cut a straw to match the length of a toilet paper roll core, and attach it to the top of the core.
Decorate it by using vinyl tape to create the Shinkansen design and drawing windows with a pen.
Finally, thread some kite string through the straw, and it’s done! Children can play by each holding one end of the string with a friend, or enjoy it as a wall-mounted toy—there are lots of ways to have fun.
You can make it even more exciting by increasing the number of trains or creating different types of trains to expand the play.
Homemade crackers
Let’s make party poppers using toilet paper tubes! Some children might not know what a party popper is, so it’s a good idea to show them a real one before starting the craft.
Here’s how to make it: First, wrap the toilet paper tube with origami paper and glue it on, then attach an origami-paper lid to one end of the tube.
Next, cut small slits around the rim of the tube and hook a rubber band onto them.
Finally, fill the tube with small pieces of torn origami paper—and you’re done! When you pull the rubber band hooked near the lid, colorful confetti will pop out.
It’ll be fun to see the kids’ reactions! These should be a hit at birthday parties and events too.
Ehomaki (lucky direction sushi roll)
Let’s make an Ehomaki using a toilet paper roll core.
The main materials are a toilet paper core, origami paper, tissues, rubber bands, and tape.
First, attach black origami paper to the side of the core to resemble seaweed.
Next, cut the origami paper for the fillings into 7.5 cm × 15 cm pieces.
Fold the cut paper in half to make a strip, roll it up tightly from the end, and glue it.
Once all the fillings are rolled, bundle them together and secure with a rubber band, wrap them with tissue, and fix them inside the core.
You’ll need the same on the other side as well, so please make two sets of fillings.
Making an oni (ogre) using a toilet paper roll core
Let’s try making Setsubun decorations using recycled materials! Many teachers may be thinking about creating oni (ogre) crafts for Setsubun.
This time, let’s make wonderful pieces using toilet paper rolls that we usually throw away.
You’ll need toilet paper rolls, origami in various colors, scissors, glue or double-sided tape, a pencil, a black permanent marker, and a white correction pen or white permanent marker.
The steps are simple and easy to follow, so even children in infant classes can give it a try while arranging the craft together with their teacher.
Flies far! Bazooka
If you have a toilet paper tube and a paper towel tube, you can make an air cannon that flies well.
Find a large open space and play together.
First, make a single cut in the toilet paper tube and insert the paper towel tube inside.
Fill the gap created in the toilet paper tube with construction paper, and tape it so there are no gaps.
Next, cut a circle of construction paper to fit the opening of the toilet paper tube and tape it in place.
Then make 1.5 cm slits around the paper towel tube at 1 cm intervals, and fold each tab inward in order.
With the folded tabs facing down, reattach it to the toilet paper tube.
Secure with a rubber band, and you’re done.
Toilet Paper Art
You can create paper art by tearing toilet paper into pieces! First, prepare the picture you want to make.
You can draw directly on thick paper, or paste a copied picture onto thick paper.
Next, tear the toilet paper into small pieces.
If everyone works together and has fun, you’ll have it done in no time.
Add water to the torn toilet paper to moisten it, then squeeze it tightly and separate it into containers by the colors you plan to use.
Mix in acrylic or watercolor paint, then add glue to make it paste-like.
Use wooden sticks or bamboo skewers to apply the colors to your picture, and let it dry for about a day to finish!
pulp clay
You can make pulp clay using toilet paper.
First, tear the toilet paper into pieces and put them in a container.
A deep and wide container like a washbasin is recommended because it makes the work easier.
Next, tear two or three types of tissue paper (craft flower paper) and add them as well.
Try arranging the colors so they look nice when they dissolve.
Add water and keep stirring while gradually adding more toilet paper.
Then add some liquid laundry starch or white glue and mix.
Once it becomes sticky, your clay is ready! Shape it as you like and let it dry to harden.
It’s great not only for play but also for making art projects.