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Simple Cardboard Tube Fox - Easy Recycled Craft for Kids

Make your own friendly fox from the simplest of 'junk' craft supplies: a cardboard toilet paper roll! You can make quite a few things from cardboard tubes, and let's face it, TP rolls are always popping up at your house. This easy project transforms everyday waste into adorable animal friends using just construction paper, googly eyes, and basic craft supplies. Perfect for teaching kids about recycling while creating something cute and fun!

15-20 minutes Ages 3-8 1 step may need help

About This Project

A 15–20 minutes craft for ages 3–8, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Googly Eyes, and White Glue.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

Recycled Craft Projects
Animal-Themed Crafts
Toilet Paper Roll Crafts
Easy Kids Activities
Upcycling Projects

Project Tags

1
Find Supplies

Do you have everything you need?

Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.

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Scissors
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Googly Eyes
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White Glue
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Hot Glue
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Black Markers
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Toilet Paper Rolls
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Orange Construction Paper
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White Construction Paper
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Hot Glue Guns
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Make Simple Cardboard Tube Fox

Messy Mode

Cover the tube in orange paper

Cut the orange paper the same height as your tube. Roll the paper around the tube and secure with hot glue.

Add the ears

Cut two small triangles from the orange construction paper. Using your white glue, glue to the inside of the cardboard tube. If you're feeling fancy, add a smaller white triangle inside before glueing them on. We recommend using white glue for this step to make it more kid friendly, but if you're in a hurry, the hot glue gun will work just as well.

Add the face

From the white paper, cut one heart shape. Using a black marker, color the tip of the heart to make a nose. Using white glue, glue the face to the tube. Glue the googly eyes onto the face. We recommend using white glue to make the project more kid-friendly, but if you have an older child or want to make the project go more quickly, a hot glue gun will work just as well.

Add the tummy

Cut half an oval out of the white construction paper. Glue it to the front of the tube.

Add a tail

Cut a tail shape from the orange construction paper and glue it to the back of your fox. And you're done! Display your fox proudly.

Your creative buddy says:

"Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

Step 1: Cover the tube in orange paper

HOT! Grown-up required

Cut the orange paper the same height as your tube. Roll the paper around the tube and secure with hot glue.

Step 2: Add the ears

Cut two small triangles from the orange construction paper. Using your white glue, glue to the inside of the cardboard tube. If you're feeling fancy, add a smaller white triangle inside before glueing them on. We recommend using white glue for this step to make it more kid friendly, but if you're in a hurry, the hot glue gun will work just as well.

Step 3: Add the face

From the white paper, cut one heart shape. Using a black marker, color the tip of the heart to make a nose. Using white glue, glue the face to the tube. Glue the googly eyes onto the face. We recommend using white glue to make the project more kid-friendly, but if you have an older child or want to make the project go more quickly, a hot glue gun will work just as well.

Step 4: Add the tummy

Cut half an oval out of the white construction paper. Glue it to the front of the tube.

Step 5: Add a tail

Cut a tail shape from the orange construction paper and glue it to the back of your fox. And you're done! Display your fox proudly.
3
Clean up
Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.
Tidy up our space

Pick up anything that fell on the floor.

Wipe up any spills on the table.

Put your completed project somewhere safe!

Throw away all your trash and recycling.
Put away our supplies

Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

Put away googly eyes. Where they belong:

Put away white glue. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close glue lids.

Put away hot glue. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Let the hot glue gun cool before putting it away.

Put away markers. Where they belong:

— Don't forget! Close all marker caps tightly.

Put away toilet paper rolls. Where they belong:

Put away construction paper. Where they belong:

Put away construction paper. Where they belong:

Put away scissors. Where they belong:

Put away hot glue gun. Where they belong:
Update what we have left

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About the Author

STL Motherhood

I’m a boy mom, crafter and former reporter who loves taking my kids to superhero movies. Join me for a mix of traditional kid crafts, STEM fun and 3D printing.

More projects by this author

Simple Cardboard Tube Fox - Easy Recycled Craft for Kids

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies

Make Simple Cardboard Tube Fox

Step 1: Cover the tube in orange paper

Step 2: Add the ears

Step 3: Add the face

Step 4: Add the tummy

Step 5: Add a tail

Clean up

Tidy up our space

Put away our supplies

Update what we have left

Save

More projects you might like

Use what’s already at home

About the Author

STL Motherhood