Turn your cardboard tubes into fun toys that your kids will want to play with. Learn how to turn boring toilet paper tubes into an interactive cardboard tube construction toy.
This is a great kids craft and activity that recycles cardboard toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes into DIY tinker toys. Your child can use their imagination and creativity to build castles and towers.
I heard about this cardboard tube craft / activity at my local library and I knew I had to share it with you.
The great thing about this craft is you probably already have the supplies on hand. Just raid your recycle bin for the cardboard tubes.
The hardest part for me was remembering where I put the hole punch. I don’t use it that much.
This kids craft was great in that it kept my kids busy for hours. It is a perfect rainy day kids craft.
My son built a castle. Then, he grabbed his plastic army men and played with his cardboard construction toy for most of the afternoon. My daughter made a horse stable with her cardboard tubes.
What will your kids design and build using their imagination?
This kids craft reminded me of playing with tinker toys during indoor recess at elementary school. My teacher had a box of tinker toys and my friends and I would build all sorts of interesting things. This is a DIY version of tinker toys and it is not the same as tinker toys.
This is a great activity to use empty toilet paper and paper towel tubes. First, collect the cardboard tubes waiting to be recycled.
Next, grab some straws. Any kind and any color will work. We found it best to cut the straws into smaller pieces.
Then, scissors and a hole punch will turn the boring cardboard tubes into fun cardboard tube construction toys.
You can also paint your homemade tinker toys. This turns the boring toilet paper tubes into colorful building blocks. This step is optional.
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Cardboard Tube Construction Toy Supplies
- Cardboard tubes (empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls)
- Straws
- Hole punch
- Scissors
- Acrylic paint (optional)
- Paint brush
Cardboard Tube Activity Instructions
Using a hole punch, put 4 holes in each end of the cardboard tube. The holes should be across from each other.
Punch 1 hole with a hole puncher, then directly across from that hole punch another hole. Halfway between the 2 holes, punch another hole. Punch another hole across from that hole.
Cut slits between each hole. The slits do not have to be big. This will allow for the cardboard tubes to be stacked.
Cut some of the straws into 2 inch pieces or any size that you like.
If you want, you can paint your cardboard tubes. We used acrylic paint, but you could use washable paint.
Let your child use his imagination to build and play. He can use the straws to connect cardboard tubes together.
Ways to Modify This Cardboard Tube Tinker Toy Activity
Your child can paint or color the cardboard tubes. Or they can decorate it with stickers. Or they can leave the toilet paper tubes plain.
