Cardboard Tubes - 10 Creative Art Projects You Can Make With Paper Towel & Toilet Paper Tubes

​Don’t toss those cardboard tubes just yet! Paper towel and toilet paper rolls are versatile, free, and perfect for creative art projects for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re crafting at home, in a classroom, or at a community art event, these simple materials can transform into imaginative works of art with just a little paint, paper, and creativity.
Here are 10 fun and easy art projects you can create using cardboard tubes.


1. Cardboard Tube Binoculars
Tape or glue two toilet paper tubes together, decorate with paint or markers, and attach yarn for a strap. Perfect for pretend play, nature walks, or pirate adventures.
Skills learned: Design, fine motor skills, imaginative play


2. Stamped Art Patterns
Cut tube ends into shapes (hearts, stars, flowers), dip them in paint, and stamp onto paper for unique pattern art.
Great for: Process art, pattern recognition, mixed media artwork


3. Paper Roll Animals
Turn tubes into owls, cats, snakes, or penguins by folding the ends, adding paint, and gluing on paper details like ears, wings, or eyes.
Tip: This works especially well for storytelling projects.


4. Marble Run Wall Art
Cut paper towel tubes lengthwise and tape or glue them onto cardboard or a wall-safe surface to create marble tracks.
Learning bonus: Problem‑solving and engineering concepts


5. Pencil or Paintbrush Holder
Decorate a sturdy paper towel tube and use it to store art supplies on a desk or craft table.
Eco win: Functional art made from recycled materials


6. Cardboard Tube Flowers
Cut tube ends into petal shapes, flatten, paint, and glue together into 3D flowers. Attach to paper or display as a bouquet.
Perfect for: Spring art, Mother’s Day, or gift-making


7. Rain Stick Instrument
Fill a tube with rice, beans, or beads, seal both ends, and decorate the outside before gently shaking to create soothing sounds.
Cross‑curricular: Art + music exploration


8. Mini City or Building Sculptures
Use paper towel tubes as skyscrapers! Paint windows, doors, and rooftops to create a cardboard cityscape.
Extend the activity: Add roads, people, and vehicles


9. Rocket Ships & Space Crafts
Paint tubes metallic colors, add fins, flames, and a cone top to create rockets. Great for STEM or space‑themed learning.
Imagination fuel: Space exploration and storytelling


10. Cardboard Tube Sculpture Assembly
Challenge artists to use multiple tubes to build abstract sculptures—no right or wrong design!
Artist inspiration: Louise Nevelson or modern sculptors


Final Thoughts
Paper towel and toilet paper tubes prove that art doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. These projects encourage creativity, sustainability, and hands‑on learning—all while having fun. Save those tubes, grab some paint, and let your imagination roll!