This weekend I had the pleasure of hosting a Cottonelle Roll Cover Party for myself, some friends, and their kids. We got to check out the new Roll Covers designed by Jonathon Adler. We also had the opportunity to repurpose those classic cardboard tubes into some fun new crafts!
There are so many different things you can do with cardboard tubes, but for our party, I decided we’d do two easy crafts. The first one was finger puppets, and the second one was fairy party favors. I thought it was perfect timing; they make great crafty Earth Day ideas, which happens to be this Sunday! To stay in the reduce, reuse, recycle spirit, I wanted to try and use mostly – if not solely – supplies from around the house.
The penguins used the following materials:
- Black marker
- Cardboard Tube
- Black felt
- Yellow Balloon (or yellow pipe cleaner)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue


Ta da! Penguin finger puppet. You could make any number of animals once you get the basic idea down. With some yarn and a pompom, you could make a lion; a kangaroo can be done with a piece of felt glued on as a pouch and a couple of small strips for ears. The only limit is your imagination!
The Fairy Party Favors used the following supplies:
- Tissue paper (we used a fuscia color)
- Cardboard tubes
- Felt or tulle in a coordinating color
- Ribbon in a coordinating color
- Scissors
- Tape


Roll the tube all the way down the tissue paper, and tape into place. Then fold the extra tissue paper on each end over the edge and tuck inside the tube. Have an adult (or older child) cut out a square of felt that’s about 6″x6″. Use the scissors to cut a wavy pattern into each side of the felt; it will look sort of like the petals of a flower. Cut a circle (or an X slit) in the center of the felt and slide it onto the wrapped tube. Then tie a bow around the middle using the ribbon.
I think they’d be perfect for a Fairies birthday party (in person, they seriously remind me of Tinker Bell and all her friends). You could even make a little fairy wand and tuck it under the bow and felt. Next, fill them with candy, and you have instant party favors! You can tuck some of the extra tissue paper into the bottom if you want to make sure that the favors don’t fall out.
We also decided that the designer roll covers could easily be repurposed to corral markers or crayons, on your desk to store pens & pencils, candy and snack containers – so many things! The lids fit really snug so you don’t have to worry about everything to come flying out if they get knocked over.
What crafts would you make with your kiddos using cardboard tubes?
I participated in a campaign for Mom Central Consulting, on behalf of Cottonelle, and received product samples and a promotional item to facilitate my party.
Aww, I love the penguins! It’s fun that you can do SO many things with paper towel and toilet paper rolls!
This is really great idea for the little ones to make for crafts. They will be fun to make with the grandkids to. The older kids can do more with them to. Also use the bigger rolls from paper towels to for the crafts
The penguin is so cute. Like that it’s recycled items to make a new thing.
that cute ilike the idea
That is too cute!! gave me a plan for my granddaughters Birthday!! Thanks for sharing
You have the best imagination. Love your works of art. I try to Recycle any and everything. We have a special bin for anything that we need to throw out that looks like it could be something else. I do have to go thru it and actually recycle or toss some things, but I love the amazing crafts they come up with. Thanks for the great ideas.
ncjeepster@aol.com
I am not very creative. I like the party tubes though I think I could do that with my daughter. Thank you for giving me a good idea
I remember when I was young and we saved all of our paper rolls for crafts after school. We would do the crafts each friday evening and by christmas we had all our gifts for friends and family.