5 Fun Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids Instead of ditching the empty roll, help your child turn it into a creative craft. Do you feel like you're constantly changing out empty toilet paper rolls? Seriously, how does it get used so quickly, and why can no one else remember to change it? Next time the task comes up, save that empty toilet paper tube for your next craft day.An empty toilet paper tube is an excellent craft supply with virtually endless uses, and the best part is you have an abundance of them -- and they're (basically) free. Let your kids' imaginations run wild with toilet paper roll crafts, and who knows, maybe someday they'll even be willing to change the roll to snatch up the tube for their latest project. Hey, you can dream, right?Here are five ideas for toilet paper roll crafts to get you started: Race Some Toilet Paper Roll Cars(Courtesy of Nancy Bandzuch)Nancy Bandzuch, a mom of three and crafty personality behind Do Small Things With Love created this fun idea for car-loving kids.

"My kids and I love finding simple objects around the house and transforming them into creative toys!" she says. This cool car craft is sure to get their creativity motor running.Supplies: Toilet paper roll (one for each car)Paint (kid-safe watercolor or acrylic)PaintbrushesNewspapers to cover your tableSafety scissorsThin cardboard or card stockKid-safe glue gun Directions: Cut a "U" shape in the middle of one side of the toilet paper roll. Start cutting on one side of the "U," round down and come up to the other side and stop, leaving the cardboard flap attached. Fold the flap up in a straight line so the "U" part is pointing up and out of the roll (this will make the back of the seat for the car).Spread out newspapers to protect your floor or surface of your table.Paint the entire toilet paper tube and set aside to dry.Draw five circles on a piece of light cardboard such as a manila envelope or thick card stock. Make smaller circles to represent steering wheels and larger circles for tires.

Paint the circles black, and allow the paint to dry completely.Cut out the circles. Your little one may need your expert assistance with this step!Patio Chairs That SwivelGlue the steering wheel in the curved part of the "U" opening, opposite the folded up seat. Pet Fox Puppies For SaleGlue all four tires in place on the toilet paper tube. Replacement Leather Seat Covers Honda AccordEven with a child-safe glue gun, this step should also be your job. Make and Hang a WindsockThis cool craft will brightly decorate your yard or garden -- or hang beautifully indoors as well. Supplies: Toilet paper roll (one per windsock)TapeDouble-sided tapeSafety scissorsTissue paper in various colorsTwine Directions: Wrap tissue paper around the toilet paper tube until you achieve desired thickness, and secure edge with tape.

Decorate the tube with additional shapes cut out of tissue paper, as desired. Affix using double-sided tape.Stick a piece of double-sided tape around the inside edge of the tube, near the edge you would like to be the bottom of the windsock.Cut colorful strips of tissue paper to desired length.Attach the tissue paper strips to the wind sock by sticking them to the double-sided tape.Mom, this step is for you. Cut a length of twine to your desired length and tape the loose ends across from each other inside the top of the tube, creating a loop to hang the windsock from. Hang the windsock outside, and watch the colored strips blow in the breeze! Feed the Birds(Courtesy of Annie Moffatt)Your kids will love this creative spin on a bird feeder. Annie Moffatt, a mom, teacher, homeschooler and creator of The Moffatt Girls blog notes that "creating this simple bird feeder craft is a great way to help kids connect with nature." And after they've made the craft, they'll enjoy watching for hungry customers, too! 

Supplies: Toilet paper tube (one per bird feeder)Creamy peanut butterBird seedPaper plateChild-safe plastic knifeSingle-hole punchYarn Directions: Punch two holes directly across from each other near the top of the toilet paper tube.Loop the yarn through the holes to create a hanger, and securely tie it in a knot.Help your child spread smooth peanut butter on the toilet paper roll using a child-safe plastic knife (or their fingers).Gently roll the tube on a paper plate of bird seed.Hang the bird feeder on a tree branch easily visible from the house.Tip: Don't have a hole punch or yarn handy? Thread the entire tube over a branch. This works especially well in the winter time when the leaves are gone. Create Toilet Paper Roll AnimalsYour child will love to create her favorite animals out of toilet paper tubes. Whether your little one makes a giraffe, penguin, bird or made-up animal, she's sure to enjoy transforming an ordinary toilet paper roll into an animal friend. Supplies: Toilet paper tubesConstruction paperSafety scissorsNon-toxic glueGoogly eyesPipe cleanersFeathers Directions: Cut a solid piece of construction paper to fit the circumference of the toilet paper roll and glue on.

Mom, you may need to help with the cutting!Glue on googly eyes.Embellish with feathers, pipe cleaners, more construction paper or other art supplies. Let your child's imagination run wild! Make Homemade BinocularsYour kids will love this fun craft, and they can use them to spot the birds who visited their bird feeders as well! Supplies: Two toilet paper rolls (per pair)Single hole punchYarnSafety scissorsWide tape, like packing tape Directions: Place two toilet paper rolls side-by-side, and wrap a piece of wide tape all the way around the tubes, securing them in place. Choose a fun, patterned tape to jazz the binoculars up.Punch a hole on the outside edge of each binocular, directly across from each other.Tie one side of a long piece of yarn through each hole, making a neck strap for the binoculars. Strand should be long and hang loosely around your child's neck.Tip: Skip the neck strap for young toddlers who want to play with the binoculars to eliminate choking risk. For more decorative binoculars, your child can paint the rolls, draw on them with markers or cover them in construction paper prior to securing them to each other.