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Toilet Paper Roll – Cars Activity

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These Recycled toilet roll or toilet tube kids craft is lots of fun to make and even more, fun to play with.

Add this activity to a storybook reading and you have yourself a very easy lesson plan that has the potential for hours of creation and play. Once these cars are made the kids can use their imagination for pretend play as well as using it to create stories for older kids. 

The links below are affiliate links which means when you buy a book from that link we get a small kickback in change, this is at no extra cost to you.

 

Books about Race Cars (or with race cars in them!):

Good Night Racecar –

Race Car Count –

Go Dog Go –

Supplies:

  • Empty toilet paper or paper towel cardboard tube
  • Tempra paint
  • Paint brush
  • Paper Plate
  • Hot Glue
  • Scissors

 

Instructions:

If using a paper towel tube, cut it in half.  

Draw an oval shape in the middle of the tube.  Carefully cut it out! Kids might need help with this step!  This will be the driver’s seat area.

Trace one end of the cardboard tube on a paper plate and cut it out.  Once cut, decorate it with markers (or paint) to be the grill of the car.

On a paper plate (or if you have a thick cardstock that would work!) cut out 4 circles for the tires, a small circle for the steering wheel and a seat shape.  I told our kids to cut out a large, skinny hill shape and they cut out perfect race car seats! 🙂

Paint time!  You can use anything you want to decorate your cars.  We used paint. Paint your car, tires, steering wheel and seat.  (Be sure to paint both sides!) Decorate the side of the car with craft supplies or draw on numbers and designs.  Allow to dry.

To assemble: Glue the grill to the front of the toilet paper tube.  It should fit nicely!

Glue on the 4 tires to the bottom of your car.  You will want your car to kind of stand a bit.

A small dab of glue on the steering wheel to place on the front edge of the oval shape you cut out.  And slide the seat into the driver’s area.

Ta da!  

Did you know that more than eight billion rolls of toilet paper, bath tissue or toilet tissue as it is sometimes referred to are sold yearly in the U.S.A. It is guesstimated that the average person uses 23 rolls each per year. I don’t know about you but that seems a little low to me.

Recently we changed to the thick rolls which are triple length, so now we only have to change them a 1/3 as often, which is great cause no one in the house changes the toilet roll except me.

 

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Making Popsicle Stick Playing Cards – Surprisingly Fun and Totally Charming!

Okay, I’ll be honest — when I first saw the Popsicle Stick Playing Cards project floating around on Instructables, I wasn’t entirely sold. Popsicle sticks and playing cards? Sounds like a summer camp throwback, right? But curiosity got the best of me (as it usually does with anything slightly crafty and slightly quirky), and I decided to give it a whirl.

And let me just say: I loved this project way more than I expected to.

At its core, this DIY is super simple. You’re basically fusing old playing cards with humble craft sticks to create chunky, tactile “cards” that are durable enough for little hands — or just to enjoy as a cool novelty set. The end result? A full deck that feels a little bit rustic, a little bit retro, and totally unique.

What I really appreciated about this project was how accessible it was. You don’t need anything fancy to get started — just some basic glue, scissors, popsicle sticks (standard size worked fine for me), and of course, a deck of cards that’s either past its prime or missing a few members. We all have one of those lying around somewhere, right?

I ended up using an old UNO deck that was looking pretty rough around the edges, and it turned out great. The cards stick well to the wood, and once everything’s dry, you get these sturdy, chunky pieces that have such a fun hand-feel. It almost reminds me of vintage tile games or big wooden dominoes.

This would be such a great project for kids — whether it’s as a rainy-day craft, a classroom activity, or even as part of a DIY learning game (think memory matching or number recognition). I can see this also being a hit with older adults or people who need cards with a little more grip or visual clarity.

Plus, if you’re a DIY gift-giver like I am, imagine pairing these with a handmade fabric pouch or wooden box for a personalized twist. It would make a really thoughtful and low-cost present for a game lover or nostalgic friend.

Now, one tiny tip: make sure to let everything dry completely before stacking or using them. I rushed a bit on my first batch and ended up with a few cards stuck together. A bit of sanding or sealing would probably help prevent that too, especially if you want them to last.

Overall, this craft hit all the right notes — easy, upcycled, fun, and surprisingly satisfying to hold in your hands when they’re done. It’s a fantastic way to breathe new life into something old, and I honestly can’t wait to make a few themed sets as gifts.

So if you’re on the fence, give it a try. It’s playful, it’s practical, and hey, it might just be your new favorite weekend project.