Back to school season is the perfect excuse to pull out the scissors and glue and make something colorful with the kids!
If you’re looking for a simple project that fits the school theme, these Toilet Paper Roll Crayons are such a fun one to try.
They turn ordinary cardboard rolls into giant colorful crayons, complete with pointed tips and cute little faces.
And because the main part of the craft is an empty toilet paper roll, you don’t need a long list of special supplies to make them.
I also created a free printable template to make this Toilet Paper Roll Crayon Craft even easier. Simply print the pieces, cut them out, and use them to transform your cardboard rolls into a colorful little collection of crayons.
Make one in your child’s favorite color or save up several rolls and make the whole set!
These crayons are a fun choice for back to school crafts at home, but they can also be used as first day of school activities in the classroom.
Materials
- 6 Empty toilet paper rolls
- Free printable crayon templates (Get them at the end of this post)
- Printer paper or cardstock
- Printer
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tape
How to Make Toilet Paper Roll Crayons
Depending on the age of the kids making the craft, you may also want to have an adult help with some of the cutting and assembly.
Step 1: Print the Crayon Template
Start by downloading and printing the free crayon template.
Choose which crayon color you’d like to make, or print several and make a whole collection!
Step 2: Cut Out the Pieces
Carefully cut out all of the pieces from the printable file.
Younger kids can practice their scissor skills on the larger pieces, while an adult can help with any smaller or trickier sections if necessary.
I like to cut everything out before I start gluing so all of the pieces are ready for assembly.
Step 3: Cover the Toilet Paper Roll
Take the main crayon wrapper and wrap it around your empty toilet paper roll.
Line up the paper so that the crayon design is facing outward and the cardboard tube is covered.
Add tape to secure the wrapper onto the roll.
Then, apply glue on the side of the paper.
Press it gently into place and give the glue a little time to set before moving on.
Step 4: Add the Extra Touches
Glue the black bands around the crayons where the color changes slightly.
Step 5: Make the Crayon Tip
Next, it’s time to give your crayon its point!
First, fold the circle in fours and open it back up so you can see the crease across the center. Next, make a straight cut from the outer edge of the circle to the center point, following the crease.
Then form it into a cone and secure it so it holds its shape.
Step 6: Attach the Crayon Tip
Place the pointed paper tip onto the top of the toilet paper roll and secure it in place.
Try to center it over the tube so that your crayon has a nice pointed shape.
Your Paper Roll Crayon Craft is finished and ready to display!
Make a Whole Box of Toilet Paper Roll Crayons
Why make just one?
Save several cardboard tubes and create a whole collection of Toilet Paper Roll Crayons in different colors.
Put them side by side in rainbow order, line them up on a classroom shelf, or let each child in a small group make a different color.
You could even make a simple oversized crayon box from cardboard and put all of your finished crayons inside!
Toilet Paper Roll Crayon Craft Video Tutorial
Want to see exactly how these Toilet Paper Roll Crayons come together? Watch the video tutorial below!
I’ll walk you through the process step by step, from cutting out the printable pieces to wrapping the toilet paper roll and adding the pointed crayon top.
Ways to Use Your Paper Roll Crayons
Once your crayons are finished, you don’t have to put them away!
Classroom Decorations
These crayons are also adorable as classroom decorations.
Place them along a shelf, use them to decorate a reading or art area, or combine everyone’s crayons into a Back to School display.
Because each child can make their own, the display becomes something the whole class helped create.
Back to School Party or Playdate
If you’re having a little get-together before school starts, set up a crayon craft station.
Print the templates beforehand and place them on a table with cardboard rolls, scissors, and glue.
It’s a simple activity kids can work on together, and everyone gets something cute to take home.
Pair Them With a Crayon-Themed Book
Another easy idea is to pair the craft with a story about crayons, colors, art, or going back to school.
Read the story together first and then make your Toilet Paper Roll Crayons afterward.
This works particularly well for younger kids who enjoy combining story time with a hands-on activity.
Practice Learning Colors
For preschoolers and younger children, the finished crayons can also become a simple color-learning activity.
Ask kids to name each crayon color, arrange them in a certain order, or find objects around the room that match each crayon.
It’s an easy way to add a little learning to craft time without making the activity feel like a lesson.
Download the Free Toilet Paper Roll Crayon Printable
Ready to make your own colorful crayon crew?
Download the free Toilet Paper Roll Crayon printable, gather a few empty cardboard tubes, and you can have this craft ready to go without a lot of prep.
You can make just one crayon or collect enough toilet paper rolls to make the whole colorful set.
And if you’re planning your Back to School Activities ahead of time, you can print the template now and keep it with your craft supplies until you’re ready to use it.
Get the Free Toilet Paper Roll Crayon Printables
More Back to School Crafts and Activities
- Color Matching Backpacks
- School Bus Shapes Craft
- Apple Paper Plate Craft
