Have any toilet paper rolls sitting around? If so, don’t throw them away! You can use them to make a craft perfect for the winter season that is quickly approaching us. Today we are going to make toilet paper roll penguins! This project is fun and versatile and encourages creativity and recycling. Preschool and school-age kiddos are sure to enjoy this activity as they get to express their artsy side and even engage in some creative play when the craft is complete.
You Will Need:
Toilet Paper Roll
Googly Eyes
Acrylic Paint (colors: black and white)
Paintbrush
Writing Utensil
Scissors
Orange Construction Paper, not much is needed so you can use scraps!
Glue
Newspaper
Let’s Get Started!
Before starting the craft, you may want to lay out some newspaper over the surface you will be working on. This is not required, but it is highly recommended since we will be using paint.
Step 1: First we are going to create the beak and feet. To do this, draw three small triangles on the orange construction paper. Two of the triangles will be the penguin’s feet and one will be the beak.
Tip: Try to make all the triangles a similar size so it won’t matter if they get mixed up.
Step 2: Next, carefully take your scissors and cut out the triangles. Don’t be afraid to ask for help with the cutting if you need it! Place the triangles aside in a safe place while we continue preparations.
Step 3: Now, we are going to draw an outline on the toilet paper roll. This will make it easier to know where to put the black paint and where to put the white. I used a pencil in case I needed to erase any mistakes, but a pen or marker would work fine as well. The oval should be about 3 inches long and 1.5 inches wide.
Step 4: Now that everything is prepared, let’s start painting! Start with the black paint. Paint around the oval and cover the back and sides of the paper roll with black paint. Make sure not to paint the inside of the oval black because that’s where the white paint is going.
Tip: It may be hard to figure out how to hold the paper roll without getting paint on your hands. I found that placing my thumb on the paint-free part of the paper roll (inside of the oval) and my index finger on the inside of the paper roll kept my hands clean!
When you’ve finished painting the paper roll black, let it dry for 10 to 15 minutes. You want the paint to be mostly dry so when you are adding white paint, the colors do not mix and create gray streaks. If you are using the same paintbrush, don’t forget to rinse it well so the colors do not mix that way either!
While waiting, I did some stretches and danced to a few of my favorite songs. Those 10 to 15 minutes flew by and my paint was dry in no time!
Step 5: When the black paint has dried, paint the inside of the oval with white paint. Let the white paint dry for 20 minutes.
At this point, your paper roll is starting to look like a penguin already! Can you see it?
Step 6: Once the paint is dry, it is time to start gluing on the face and feet. Let’s start with the eyes first. Place a small dot of glue about an inch from the top of the paper roll. Then, paste one of the googly eyes to the paper roll. Hold it in place for 5 to 10 seconds. Do the same with the other googly eye right next to the one you already glued.
Tip: Don’t have googly eyes? No worries! You can just draw the eyes with a marker!
Step 7: Next, use another small dot of glue to paste one of the triangles you made earlier below the eyes. Make sure the triangle is upside down, so it really resembles a beak!
Step 8: Then, glue the other two triangles on the very bottom of the paper roll. These triangles should be upright. Let the glue dry for 5 to 10 minutes.
Now your penguin is done! I named mine Flo the Penguin. What will you name yours?