As we’re all adjusting to the current order to stay home, everyone is looking for new ways to entertain themselves and their kids. Now is the perfect time to channel some inner creativity and learn how to reuse the resources available to us to create something fun, beautiful and functional.

We all have a little more toilet paper in our homes than usual, but did you know that you can recycle your empty rolls? Here are simple DIYs that the whole family can enjoy!

Toilet Paper Roll Planter

You will need:

  • Seeds (of any kind)
  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Bag
  • String
  • Soil
  • Misting Bottle

Directions:

  1. Place the soil in a small bowl, then mist with warm water until slightly damp.
  2. Cut one toilet paper roll in half.
  3. Tear or cut the paper bag into a small square, about 4” x 4”, then place one piece of the roll onto the paper square.
  4. Fill the roll with damp soil until there is about one centimeter left from the top.
  5. Lift the corners of the paper bag to wrap the roll and secure it with string.
  6. Sprinkle a few seeds into the roll and gently press them into the soil, then place in sunlight.
  7. Repeat these instructions for as many planters as you’d like to have.

Mist each planter a few times daily and when the seedlings begin to sprout, plant the tubes in a more permanent location, such as a garden or larger pot.

Reference: https://www.carolynshomework.com/2014/05/the-dirt-brown-paper-seedling-pots.html

Marine Animal Toilet Paper Roll Craft

You will need:

  • Toilet Paper Rolls
  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Scissors
  • Tape or glue

Octopus

  1. Paint a toilet paper roll with the color of your choice.
  2. Once dry, paint a face on your octopus.
  3. From the bottom, cut even slits about 1/3 of the length of the roll. These will act as the tentacles.
  4. Gently roll each tentacle up. Be sure that each tentacle is even, or else it won’t be able to stand.

Octopus

  1. Flatten a toilet paper roll.
  2. Draw markings on your roll where you will make your cuts. On one side, follow the rounded line to shape the head of the fish. On the other end, make two, even, downward slits where your markings are.
  3. Once the slits are cut, fold the excess into the roll in order to shape the tail.
  4. Seal each end using a glue gun or double stick tape.
  5. Then paint your fish any color or design you prefer. Don’t forget to give your new fish friend a face!

Crab

  1. Paint your toilet paper roll red (or color of your choice).
  2. Draw the claws on a piece of construction paper, then cut.
  3. Attach the claws to one side of the toilet paper roll.
  4. On the opposite site, draw the face of your crab.

Shark

  1. Draw markings on each side of the toilet paper roll where you will cut the shark’s mouth.
  2. Make the cuts.
  3. Paint the toilet paper roll.
  4. While the paint dries, draw and cut the sharks’ teeth using white or construction paper.
  5. Cut the teeth into appropriate lengths and attach to the inside of the shark’s mouth.
  6. Give the predator a face and you’re done!