Amazing toilet roll animals you will want to make!

The recycled toilet rolls in our craft bin had been piling up.  The twins had just started toilet training and if I didn’t do something soon, we would be overrun, swimming in a playroom filled with faintly ocean fresh-scented cardboard rolls. What’s worse is that my mum started to collect hers for me too. What could I do with them all?  We needed a project, a BIG toilet roll project!

So, we got one—toilet roll animals.

Over a couple of months, every few days I’d sit down and craft an animal out of toilet rolls.

‘What animal would you like me to make today, Miss Possum?’

And each time she’d reply with a completely different animal from the last.

I’d craft it and she would paint it. Then once it was dry, we’d add a little more detail on each. We used three craft items: toilet rolls, a good craft glue (or super glue for the hard drying parts) and acrylic paint.

Toilet Roll Animals

Pig Toilet Roll Craft

Our first creation was a pink pig, which I haven’t added into this top photo simply because it’s been so well-loved that it’s fallen apart now and therefore won’t be showing up in any of the later activities. Here’s a picture of it in its former glory

Gorilla Toilet Roll Craft

Move on a month later and I’m sitting at the table wondering how on earth I’m going to craft a gorilla—a gorilla for heaven’s sake! I did it. I don’t know how I did it, but I did. 

 

Elephant toilet roll craft

We tried to use one whole toilet roll for the body each time. Other toilet rolls were used to make heads, trunks, feet and other extremities. I found the elephant trunk quite challenging but I like a challenge!

Cheetah Toilet Roll Craft

The cheetah was a lot of fun. We especially enjoyed painting this one!

Squirrel Toilet Roll Craft

Miss Poss had never seen a squirrel, so I’m not sure where this request came from but I like squirrels despite the fact that I’ve never seen on. I hope all you US readers think I’ve done an okay job!

Koala Toilet Roll Craft

I was thrilled when a koala craft was put forward. I know them well, they are simply adorable and I didn’t have any problem with motivation to make this one. 

Horse Toilet Roll Craft

Horse. I was dreading having to make the horse. I had NO IDEA how I was going to make the neck. Turns out my fears were warranted because I really struggled with making this toilet roll animal craft!

Frog Toilet Roll Craft

I love frogs. I enjoyed this one!

Cockatoo Toilet Roll animals

   When I look at them all lined up together above, it really does bring me joy. Joy because Miss Possum and I spent time together. Joy because they look amazing! And joy because we completed our mission by using well over 25 toilet rolls in the process (although they’re already piling up again!)

We have a few activities planned for the animals, and I’ll do a follow-up post on that later down the track.

Why don’t you try to make your own toilet roll animals and recycle those cardboard rolls that just keep piling up too?!

Other animals you can make using toilet/cardboard rolls:

• Beautiful butterflies
• The cutest octopus
• Penguins
• Ten toilet roll snake!
• Little owls