Key Takeaways
- This toilet paper roll snake craft for kids turns empty toilet paper rolls, paint, ribbon, and googly eyes into moveable snakes children can wiggle and play with.
- Active craft time is about 20–30 minutes, plus a 30–60 minute wait for drying.
- Use natural patterns, rainbow colours, or chinese new year lucky colours like red, black, and yellow.
- Most supplies needed are common items from the house, making this an easy recycled toilet paper roll craft.
Introduction: A Simple Toilet Paper Roll Snake Craft
A toilet paper roll snake is a fun craft that turns loo rolls into a bendy cardboard tube snake kids can coil, train, and move across the floor. Unlike a flat paper chain, this roll snake craft has a sturdy 3D form.
It works for home, preschool, playgroups, and classroom tables. You can decorate it as a jungle snake, a cute pet snake, or a chinese zodiac project; in Chinese culture, the snake can represent wisdom, intuition, and transformation.
This post covers supplies, the process, safe steps, patterns, play ideas, and FAQ.
Supplies Needed for Your Cardboard Tube Snake
You likely have most supplies at home:
- 3–6 toilet paper rolls for the Segmented Method, or paper towel rolls / wrapping paper tubes cut in half for bigger sections
- 1 toilet paper roll for the Spiral Method
- paint, markers, scissors, glue, glue stick, tape
- string or ribbon, hole punch
- googly eyes or googley eyes, red paper or ribbon for the tongue
- optional washi tape, stickers, foam shapes, metallic paints, glitter glue, black marker, hot glue
Common materials for decorating toilet paper roll snakes include paints, markers, googly eyes, and ribbons for the tongue, along with a few top craft paper supplies for creative projects if you want to expand your craft stash. Adults should handle hot glue and help cut thick toilet paper tubes.
Step-by-Step: Toilet Paper Roll Snake Craft Instructions
Do this in two sessions: paint first, then assemble after drying. Younger children can keep rolls whole; older children can cut more pieces for a longer roll snake.
Step 1: Paint the Empty Toilet Paper Rolls
Lay newspaper down, then paint each cardboard tube. To make toilet paper roll snakes resemble real snakes, paint the rolls in various colors and patterns, then let them dry before assembling them into a snake shape.
Try green, brown, rainbow, or different shades on each tube. Washable paint is best for young kids. Stand each roll on one end to dry.
Step 2: Add Patterns and Scales
Encourage kids to paint different patterns on the tubes, such as stripes or spots, so they resemble real snakes and add a fun decorative element. Use a sponge to dab paint onto the tubes for a scaly look.
Try triangles, squares, circles, diamonds, rectangles, zigzags, or black triangles down the back. This is a simple link to maths vocabulary and fine motor practice; art activities can support children’s hand control, as noted in early childhood craft research on fine motor development, and offer the same kind of creativity benefits you get from fun paper activities for creative minds.
If time is short, stickers or colored tape can decorate the paper roll instead of wet paint.
Step 3: Make the Snake’s Head
Choose one toilet paper roll for the head. Cut two small angled notches at one end and pinch the shape into a snake head. Glue or stick it in place.
Cut red paper or ribbon into a thin strip, then snip a V to make the snake’s tongue. Glue the flat end inside the mouth so the forked tongue sticks out.
Step 4: Add Eyes and Facial Details
Glue on googly eyes near the front. If you do not have them, draw eyes with a black marker or cut paper circles. Add nostrils, fangs, or eyebrows so the snake head looks different from the tail.
Older children can copy a real snake from a reptile book; snake patterns like stripes, bands, and spots are useful for camouflage or warning, according to the Environmental Literacy Council.
Step 5: Build and Connect the Snake’s Body
For the Segmented Method, materials needed include 3–6 toilet paper rolls, string or ribbon, paint, scissors, and a hole punch. Punch two holes in each tube except the head and tail, which only need one hole each.
Thread ribbon through the holes from head to tail. Tie a knot in the middle or inside the first roll, repeat with each section, and check that pieces are not pulled too tightly. This makes a flexible body for movement and play.
For a glued method, glue rolls end-to-end at slight angles. Another alternative method involves linking cut and whole sections of toilet paper rolls to form a flexible body.
Step 6: Final Touches and Play Ideas
Trim the tail into a point, add glitter glue for shine, then watch the snake slither in S-shapes. Kids can measure length, sort by patterns, or name their snake. Store it flat or gently coiled.
Chinese New Year Cardboard Tube Snake (Lucky Colours Version)
This toilet roll snake craft is easy to adapt for chinese new year. Using red, black, and yellow can create an auspicious look for your toilet paper roll snake, especially for celebrations like the Chinese New Year.
Choosing Lucky Colours and Patterns
Paint each paper roll in red, yellow, and black bands. Red often suggests good fortune and happiness; yellow or gold suggests prosperity. Metallic paints or glitter glue can give your snake a shiny appearance, making it more visually appealing and unique.
Incorporating Learning and Storytelling
Read a short zodiac story while children decorate the loo rolls. Count the rolls, compare length, and let the lucky-colour snakes “dance” across the floor, or branch out into other cute crafts paper ideas for fun DIY projects.
Age-Appropriate Variations and Classroom Ideas
This snake craft adapts well for playgroups, preschools, and older children, promoting creativity and fine motor skills, and it’s a great starting point if you’re exploring more projects from Simply Paper Crafts.
Preschool and Kindergarten Snake Craft
Use whole rolls, large stickers, tape rings, and pre-cut tongues. Adults can assemble one giant classroom roll snake from everyone’s decorated tube.
Craft Ideas for Older Kids
Older children can cut rolls in half, add camouflage, explore other creative toilet paper roll crafts for family projects, or use fasteners for joints. One technique for making a snake craft involves cutting the toilet paper roll into a spiral shape, which can then be shaped into a snake’s head and decorated with eyes. Materials needed for the Spiral Method include 1 toilet paper roll, paint or markers, scissors, googly eyes, and red paper. An adult should assist with the initial spiral cut if the cardboard is too thick for small hands.
Tips for Success, Safety, and Clean-Up
Prepare trays, aprons, and a drying spot before kids start. Label each child’s rolls so they do not mix. Use glue sticks for young children; save hot glue for adults.
For inspiration, you might see ideas from red ted art or craft comments online, or even try creative paper squishies ideas for fun DIY projects, but keep the project simple: cut, paint, decorate, thread, tie, play. As children grow more confident, you can also experiment with creative uses of paper mache for art and craft projects as another way to explore 3D crafting.
FAQ: Toilet Paper Roll Snake Craft
How many toilet paper rolls do I need for one snake?
Use 3–4 rolls for a short snake or 6 or more rolls for a dramatic cardboard tube snake.
Can I make this snake craft without paint?
Yes. Markers, crayons, coloured paper, stickers, and washi tape work well when you do not want drying time.
What if I don’t have googly eyes at home?
Googly eyes are optional. Paper circles or marker-drawn eyes work just as well.
How long does this craft take?
Plan for 20–30 minutes of active crafting plus 30–60 minutes of drying.
Is this safe for toddlers?
Yes, with close supervision. Avoid tiny parts if children mouth objects, and let adults handle scissors, holes, and hot glue.
