I love a free project – especially one that saves something from a landfill and adds some sparkle to my home! These snowflakes are made with old toilet paper tubes and are simple to make. So simple, in fact, that a group of my students were able to easily make them, and give them as gifts to their parents for the holiday and Christmas season.
Supplies Needed
- toliet paper or paper towel tubes
- school glue
- tacky glue or hot glue
- glitter
First, collect up some empty toilet paper or paper towel tubes. One toilet paper tube will make one snowflake.
Next, crease the tube down flat, and cut it into 6 strips about 1/2 inch thick.
Use quick-drying tacky glue, or hot glue, to glue the points of the tube to one another, forming the snowflake shape. (Because tacky glue takes a bit to dry, I’d recommend completing this step, and then letting it dry before assembling the other pieces. Hot glue will allow the pieces to stick together right away, which will speed up the crafting process!)
Use the leftover amount of tube to cut 6 thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick, and fold each of those pieces in half.
Use school glue to paint some glue on the outside edge of the pieces. You’ll do the same for the large snowflake as well.
Dump glitter over the areas with glue and let it dry.
Who would have thought cardboard tubes could look so pretty! I’ve only made this design, but you could get creative on the types of snowflakes you make.
Wouldn’t this be a great craft project to have older kids make in their classroom as a gift for their parents? I made them with a group of 6th graders and they had a lot of fun with it. Having taught 5th grade, too, makes me think that they’d be successful with creating them as well. You could even have the students glue a picture to the center of the snowflake to personalize it!
You could use these as DIY ornaments, make a garland out of them, hang them in your windows, or use them as little stocking ornaments. Plus, I’m sure all you creative folks out there can think of a ton of other ways to use these to decorate for the holidays!
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So cute! What a easy project to do with kids too! Great idea!!
Lindi @ http://www.lovecreatecelebrate.com
Thanks! A lot of kids are already excited about making them next week!
OK, these are great! I love them! We would love to have you share them at our link up party Found & Foraged this Friday at 8PM Central Time (normally it starts on Saturday at 8PM, but this week only it starts on Friday). I hope you can make it over to http://houseofhipsters.com/
Thanks – I’ll make sure to check it out. 🙂
Jenny I love your toilet paper snowflakes – so pretty. I plan on making a few to add to my holiday decor next year. I’ve pinned it to our DIY Sunday Showcase Talent Board.
http://www.pinterest.com/pinkwhen/diy-sunday-showcase-talent/
[email protected] Interior Frugalista
Thank you! They are so easy to make – such a quick way to update holiday decor!
I LOVE these, Jenny!! I chose them as one of our features from our Get Your DIY On party! That will go live Sunday…who knew tp rolls could look so fabulous?? Pinning and sharing! XO
Thanks, Christy!! It was pretty awesome to see how great the kids’ snowflakes turned out at well – all with a silly TP tube and glitter!
Love the sparkly sparkly!! What a great way to upcycle tp rolls! Love this and appreciate the tute 🙂 Thanks for linking to the creative craft challenge!
These are fantastic! I love simple crafts and have a tendency to stock toilet rolls for this exact type of thing. Pinning for future reference. Stopping by from the Craft Challenge Creative Link Up Party
I just love when pretty meets frugal! These turned out amazing and totally don’t look like they came from a TP tube. Great job!
Very cute! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
Kim
I made this and they are very adorable. One suggestion though. Try putting a little bell in the center. Fills in that hole and really sets the whole thing off.
Great idea! Thanks for the suggestion Susan.
Just found this upcycle craft and love it. Started to make it and just wonder about the bigger snowflake. It reads “next, crease the tube down flat, and cut 6 strips about half and inch thick.” Okay, I have to ask, this does mean 1 1/2″ thick, correct? It seemed rather big to me for the base of the snowflake and just want to confirm. Looking forward to making these, thank you!
Hi! Thanks for the question, and it made me notice that I typed that instruction incorrectly. It should say to cut the strips about a half (1/2) inch thick. Yes, I think 1 1/2 would be a little too thick too! Thanks for the question – I’m off to change that in the post now.