Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

My friend Kristi and her girls come to visit us every summer and I asked her oldest daughter to come up with a craft for the little kids.  This was from their visit a few years ago and I'm embarrassed to say that I just found these pictures when I was looking for something else.  Kalli did an awesome job and the kids just loved what they made.

Supply List:  construction Paper, 2 toilet paper rolls, markers, ribbon, scissors

Start by measuring and cutting a piece of construction paper that is as wide as your toilet paper roll is long.  Cut all the way across the paper at this length.

Decorate with your markers.

Use your stapler to attach the paper to 1 toilet paper roll and then roll it up and repeat with the other side.  Tie on your ribbon.

Go searching for adventure!

Book Suggestion: You may know Jane Yolen from her wonderful children's books but this one is a little different.  Birds of a Feather is a poetry book that your kids are sure to find delightful.  We checked it out at the library this week and my 6 year old and 3 year old both enjoyed the beautiful pictures and spirited poems.

Cardboard Tube Bumble Bee

 Bee Supply List: 1 toilet paper roll, yellow construction paper, yellow and black paint, glue, google eyes, scissors, pipe cleaner

 Begin by painting black and yellow stripes on your toilet paper roll.

 Poke two holes in the top of what you want to be the head of the bee and thread your pipe cleaner through.

 Cut your yellow construction paper in an oval shape and decorate if so desired.  Glue wings and google eyes on your toilet paper roll and allow to dry.

Book Suggestion: With school just beginning for most kids, The Very Greedy Bee is a great book to read and discuss the importance of manners, being kind and sharing.  The Greedy Bee likes to eat all the nectar and not share with any of his friends.  One day he eats and eats and eats and can't fly home so he has to rely on the kindness of some other bugs to help him.  Kids will love the bright pictures and cute story.

Toilet Paper Roll Heart Butterfly

Happy Valentine's Day!

Heart Butterfly Supply List: 1 toilet paper roll, pink paint, pipe cleaner, google eyes, construction paper, marker, hole punch

 

Start by painting your toilet paper roll pink.  Allow it to dry. 

While you're waiting for the paint to dry draw 2 hearts on your construction paper and cut them out.  I always try to let Cole do most of our crafts independently.  He loves to cut, so even though our butterfly wings won't be even, I let him cut them out all by himself.

Adhere your google eyes and pipe cleaner antenna and use your marker to draw on a mouth.  I actually punched a hole on the back of the toilet paper roll and threaded the antenna through it. 

Finally, glue on the wings.  Let the whole thing dry before taking your butterfly for a flight around the house.

Book Suggestion:  This is one of Cole's favorite pop-up books.  Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer has beautiful pictures and an adorable 3-D caterpillar that is actually a slinky covered in green fabric that jumps out from the pages.  It follows a caterpillar through the seasons as he changes into a beautiful butterfly.

Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars {National Bird Day}

Tomorrow is National Bird Day.  Celebrate by creating some binoculars that are perfect for bird watching in the backyard or at the park.  You can learn more about National Bird Day here.

Binocular Supply List: 2 toilet paper rolls, paint, glue, hole punch, ribbon or string.

Start by painting your binoculars.  We used our Roll It Paint.  Allow the card board tubes to dry.  I let them dry and then put a little glue between them and allowed them to sit overnight.

Use some ribbon or string and wrap it around your toilet paper rolls.  Use a little glue so it sticks to the tubes.

Punch holes on the outside of the tubes and thread another piece of ribbon through the holes.  I let Cole do the threading himself.  He likes to do as much of our crafts independently and this was a good chance to develop his fine motor skills.

Once they are dry your binoculars are ready for National Bird Day and it's time to get outside for some local bird watching.

Book Suggestion: What's That Bird? is a great book to introduce kids to the different types of birds in your backyard.  Not only does the book identify hundreds of different birds, but it also gives you fun facts about birds and includes diagrams with the different bird parts.  If your kids are anything like mine, they love learning random facts about animals.  Field guides and non-fiction are always popular around here.