Here are 65+ of the BEST toilet paper roll activities for toddlers and preschoolers! From sensory bins to crafts to learning activities and more!
Whether you call them cardboard tubes, toilet paper rolls, poster rolls, gift wrap tubes or paper towel rolls – they are hands down one of the best ways to entertain your toddler on the cheap!

Here are over 65 super fun and super easy ways to teach and play with your toddler or preschooler using cardboard tubes.
I have organized this amazing list into four helpful sections to make it easier for you to find the type of activity you are looking for:
- Learning Activities (including literacy and numeracy activities);
- Easy kid-friendly Crafts (i.e. your toddler or preschooler can actually do these crafts with a little help);
- Sensory Bins; and
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Activities

20+ Toilet Paper Roll Learning Activities
- Tube Pattern Matching by Happy Toddler Playtime
- PLAY DOUGH & CARDBOARD TUBES by Learning 4 Kids
- Cardboard Tubes Shape Match by A Crafty Living
- Alphabet Drop by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Cardboard Tube Counting Activities by Color Made Happy
- Feed the Caterpillars: Pom Pom Sort by Happy Toddler Playtime

- ABC Tube – easy letter matching activity by Busy Toddler
- ABC Toilet Paper Tunnels by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Busy Hands: Cardboard Tube Printmaking by Sand in My Toes
- Cardboard Tube Yarn Threading by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Fine motor Play from Recyclables by Teach Me Mommy
- Hot Glue Cardboard Tube Rollers by HSES Arty Party
- Cardboard Tube Snowflakes by Happy Toddler Playtime

- Make a GIANT dinosaur out of toilet paper rolls by Your Modern Family
- Balloon Bug Tennis – by Happy Toddler Playtime

- Clothespin Pull: Toddler Fine Motor Game by Days With Grey
- Button Match by Happy Toddler Playtime

- Holey Toilet Paper Threading by A Crafty Living
- DIY Recycled Toilet Paper Roll Building Blocks by Swoodson Says
- CARDBOARD BEADS THREADING ACTIVITY FOR TODDLERS by The Imagination Tree
- Pouch Lid Drop by Happy Toddler Playtime

- Toilet Paper Roll Haircuts by A Crafty Living
- Fine motor cardboard tube challenge for kids by Laughing Kids Learn
- Word Families Tubes by Mother Could
- Tube Counting by Happy Toddler Playtime
- ALPHABET PING-PONG DROP LITERACY GAME by The Imagination Tree
- Preschooler Colour Matching Activity by Days with Grey

20+ Fun & Easy Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
- TOILET PAPER ROLL BUTTERFLY CRAFT by The Resourceful Mama
- Bird Finder Binoculars by The Art Blog
- Toilet Paper Roll Airplane Crafts for Kids by Sunshine Whispers
- Cardboard Tube Bee Craft for Kids Using Yarn by Buggy and Buddy
- Toilet Paper Roll Butterflies – The Best Ideas for Kids
- Rocket Paper Roll Craft by Look We’re Learning
- Cute Paper Tube Lion Craft by Hello Wonderful
- Cardboard Tube Shape Stamping by Crafty Morning
- Paper Towel Tube Snake Craft by Munchkins and Moms
- Recycled Birdhouse Craft by Rhythms of Play
- CARDBOARD TUBE FAMILY CRAFT by Fantastic Fun and Learning
- Paper Plate Dinosaur Kids Craft by I Heart Arts n Crafts
- TOILET PAPER ROLL TRAIN CRAFT by Kids Activity Blog
- Make Your Own Kaleidoscopes by The Crafting Chicks
- TP Roll Monsters! by Danya Banya
- Owl Paper Roll Craft Tutorial by The Centsible Life
- TP Roll Super Hero Cuffs by Reading Confetti
- Robot Toilet Paper Roll Craft by Glue Sticks & Gum Drops
- How to make a tutti frutti kazoo out of a toilet paper roll by Today’s Parent
- Paper Roll Flowers by The Best Ideas for Kids
- Cardboard tube shakers by The Craft Train
- DIY rain stick craft that actually sounds like rain! by Gift of Curiosity
- Confetti Popper Toilet Paper Tubes by Smashed Peas and Carrots
- Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder – Easy Camping Craft by The Joys of Boys
- Make Apple Stamps Using a Toilet Paper Roll by Crafty Morning

15 Toilet Paper Roll Sensory Bins
- The Drop Anything Sensory Bin for Toddlers by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Pom Pom Ramps by Busy Toddler
- Tubes & Funnels Sensory Table by The Imagination Tree
- Tubes and Rice by Happy Toddler Playtime
- SENSORY EXPLORATION WITH SAND by Learning 4 Kids
- Caps and Rices Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime
- ALPHABET ACTIVITIES: SEED SENSORY BIN by Growing Book by Book
- Tubes and Caps by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Car Ramp Sensory Bin by Mama Papa Bubba
- Make a Recycled Sensory Bin by Busy Toddler
- Apple Picking Sensory Bin by Mrs Plemons’ Kindergarten
- Car Themed Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Buggy and Buddy
- Construction Sensory Bin by Keep Calm and Teach On
- Tinker Box Inventor’s Kit by Busy Toddler
- Christmas Tubes Sensory Bin by Happy Toddler Playtime

12+ Easy Cardboard Tube STEM Activities
- Paper Towel Roll Domino Challenge by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Paper Tube Race Track by 7 Days of Play
- Magnetic Tubes by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Tubes & Pumpkins by Happy Toddler Playtime
- DIY Cardboard Tube Construction Toy by Pickle Bums
- Sticky Wall Pom Pom Drop by Happy Toddler Playtime
- BUILDING ACTIVITY FOR KIDS: STRAWS AND PAPER TOWEL ROLLS by Frugal Fun for Boys
- Tubes and Christmas Baubles by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Cardboard Tubes Sticky Wall by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Building with Cardboard Tubes by PlayTivities
- Easy Toilet Paper Run for Kids by Active Littles
- Acorn Slides Fine Motor Activity by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Toilet Paper Roll Seed Starters by Home Talk
- Tubes and Easter Eggs by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Magnetic Ball Run by Taming Little Monsters
- Pooping Bunny Pom Pom Drop by Happy Toddler Playtime
- DIY Magnetic Marble Run by Go Science Kids
- Jingle Bell Magnetic Tubes by Happy Toddler Playtime
- Pom Pom Tube Ramps by Busy Toddler
WILL YOU TRY ANY OF THESE CRAFTS OR ACTIVITIES WITH YOUR LITTLE ONE? PIN IT FOR LATER!!

