Toilet Paper Roll Christmas Crafts for Kids: Budget-Friendly Projects

Toilet paper roll crafts are more than fun. They are also a way to show creativity and self-expression. Each craft teaches children that something ordinary can become extraordinary using a little imagination and hard work. Here you’ll find easy and budget-friendly toilet paper roll Christmas crafts to make at home or school.

1. Santa Claus

A toilet paper roll Santa.

Materials:

  • 1 toilet paper roll
  • Red construction paper or paint
  • White construction paper
  • Pink construction paper (small piece)
  • Black marker or pen
  • Cotton balls
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Red pom-pom (optional for hat)

Instructions:

  1. Wrap the toilet paper roll with red paper or paint red and allow to dry
  2. Draw a small pink circle for Santa’s face and attach to the top part of the roll
  3. Draw two small dots for eyes and a curved line for a smile with the black marker
  4. Cut a white strip about 1 inch wide for Santa’s beard area and glue it below the face
  5. Stretch out cotton balls and glue them onto the white strip to create a fluffy beard
  6. Cut a small white rectangle for Santa’s hat brim and glue it above the face
  7. Glue cotton balls along the hat brim and add one cotton ball or red pom-pom at the very top
  8. Cut a small black rectangle for the belt and glue it around the middle of the roll
  9. Add a small yellow square for the belt buckle

Explore here more Santa Claus crafts for kids.

2. Reindeer

A toilet paper roll reindeer.

Materials:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Brown paint
  • Googly eyes
  • Red pom-poms
  • Brown pipe cleaners
  • Paintbrush
  • Black marker

Instructions:

  1. Paint toilet paper roll brown and let dry
  2. Glue googly eyes onto the front of the roll
  3. Add red pom-pom nose below eyes
  4. Poke holes in the top of roll for antlers
  5. Insert and twist pipe cleaner antlers through holes
  6. Draw on a mouth and any other details
  7. Let everything dry completely

Kids also love these easy reindeer craft ideas for Christmas.

3. Snowman

A toilet paper roll snowman.

Materials:

  • 1 toilet paper roll
  • White paint or white construction paper
  • Orange construction paper
  • Black construction paper
  • Small buttons (3) or black circles cut from paper
  • Colored paper for scarf
  • Black marker
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Small twigs (optional for arms)

Instructions:

  1. Paint the toilet paper roll white or cover with white paper and let dry
  2. Cut a small triangle from orange paper for the carrot nose and glue in place
  3. Draw two black dots for eyes above the nose with marker
  4. Glue three buttons or black circles down the front for the snowman’s coat
  5. Cut a strip of colored paper for the scarf and wrap it around the neck area
  6. Cut small fringe on the ends of the scarf for a realistic look
  7. If using twigs, poke small holes on either side and insert for arms
  8. Draw a curved smile below the carrot nose
  9. Add any extra details like rosy cheeks with pink marker

4. The Grinch

A toilet paper roll Grinch.

Materials:

  • Empty toilet paper rolls
  • Green paint
  • Red construction paper
  • White construction paper
  • Black marker
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Cotton balls

Instructions:

  1. Paint toilet paper roll green and let dry
  2. Cut a triangle from red paper for the hat
  3. Glue hat to one end of the roll
  4. Draw two black dots for eyes
  5. Cut a small white strip and glue below eyes for the snout area
  6. Draw a small curved line for the mouth
  7. Glue cotton ball to tip of hat
  8. Add eyebrows with black marker for extra Grinch attitude

Check out this collection of festive Grinch crafts for kids.

5. Christmas Angel

A toilet paper roll angel.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint toilet paper roll white and let dry completely
  2. Stretch cotton balls and glue around the top for hair
  3. Twist a gold pipe cleaner into a halo shape
  4. Glue the halo on top of the cotton ball hair
  5. Draw a face with markers

6. Christmas Tree

A toilet paper roll Christmas tree.

Materials:

  • Toilet paper roll
  • Green construction paper
  • Glue
  • Brown paint
  • Star stickers
  • Foam shapes or small circular stickers
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Paint toilet paper rolls brown for tree trunks
  2. Let dry completely
  3. Cut green construction paper into cone shapes
  4. Roll and glue paper into cone shapes that fit over rolls
  5. Slide cones onto painted rolls
  6. Secure with glue if needed
  7. Add star stickers to tops

Explore these 25 easy and fun Christmas tree crafts for kids.

7. Elf

A toilet paper roll Elf.

Materials:

  • 1 toilet paper roll
  • Green construction paper
  • Flesh-toned or pink paper
  • Red construction paper
  • White paper (small piece)
  • Black marker
  • Glue stick
  • Scissor
  • Small bell (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wrap the toilet paper roll with green paper for the elf’s attire
  2. Cut out a circle of flesh-colored paper for the face and affix near the top
  3. Draw dot eyes, rosy cheeks, and a smile with markers
  4. Cut a triangle from red paper for the elf hat
  5. Glue the hat above the face, with the point bending to one side
  6. Cut a small white circle for the hat’s pom-pom and glue to the tip
  7. Add a tiny bell to the hat tip if desired
  8. Cut small strips from flesh-toned paper for the elf’s hands
  9. Draw simple fingers on the hand strips and glue to the sides of the roll

Explore more elf crafts for kids here!

8. Christmas Candle

A toilet paper roll Christmas candle.

Materials:

  • 1 toilet paper roll
  • White, cream, or ivory construction paper
  • Red, yellow, or orange tissue paper
  • Yellow construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Crayons or markers
  • Small LED tea light (battery operated, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Wrap the toilet paper roll with white or cream paper for the body of the candle
  2. Cut a small flame shape from yellow paper, about 2 inches tall
  3. Cut a slightly larger flame shape from orange or red tissue paper
  4. Layer the tissue paper behind the yellow flame and glue together
  5. Make small slits along the top rim of the toilet paper roll 1/2 inch deep
  6. Insert the flame into the center of these cuts and secure with glue
  7. Use crayons in the same color as your candle to create drips of melted wax down the sides
  8. Use a small round base by cutting out a circle just larger than the diameter of the roll
  9. Attach the candle onto the base for stability
  10. To add an extra touch of magic, insert a small LED tea light inside the roll so it really lights up

These toilet paper roll Christmas crafts work beautifully as gifts for grandparents, decorations for the tree, or just as a fun way to spend a snowy afternoon together. If your kids liked them, they may also enjoy these other easy toilet paper roll crafts.

Want more holiday inspo? Explore kid-friendly Christmas craft ideas, including 15 holiday projects to make together,  24 DIY Christmas tree ornaments. easy popsicle stick Christmas crafts, and handmade Christmas cards.

You can also find budget-friendly painted rock ideas for Christmas, paper plate crafts, pipe cleaner crafts, and paper bag Christmas crafts.

Don’t miss our Preschool Christmas Gifts for Parents post for more handmade holiday inspiration!

Looking for more ideas? Check out our winter crafts for kids to keep the creativity going all season long!

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