The Humble Toilet Paper Roll. A DIY crafting staple.

The Humble Toilet Paper Roll. A DIY crafting staple.

DIY halloween crafts with toilet paper rollHalloween is approaching. I'm sure you've spent some time pondering your halloween costume from atop the toilet. Did toilet paper Mummy come to mind? I mean, it's a one-size-fits-all, relatively inexpensive, and readily available costume. It takes about 1-3 rolls to cover the average human. But, then again, if the great toilet paper shortage of 2020 taught us anything, it was to hoard, hoard, hoard!

Being in the toilet paper spray industry has given us some other fun DIY ideas for crafts involving...yes, the humble toilet paper roll. Don't toss them in the recycling bin just yet – with a little imagination and some craft supplies, you can transform these cardboard tubes into hauntingly delightful Halloween decorations.

Most of these crafts can be made with items you already have in your house.

child sitting on toilet. Pristine toilet paper spray and toilet paper near by

Namely, toilet paper rolls. The key is to maintain your typical bathroom procedures. No need to rush to use up all the toilet paper. Note: If you are using Pristine Toilet Paper Spray it will take longer to use up your toilet paper since Pristine extends the life of toilet paper by helping it clean more effectively.

A few notes before beginning. When making DIY toilet paper roll crafts, I prefer to use construction paper over paint since the toilet paper rolls will no longer be recyclable if they are painted. Use small amounts of glue to stick the construction paper and googly eyes so the toilet paper roll and construction paper can still be recycled.

What can be recycled:

    What cannot be recycled:

    • googly eyes
    • painted toilet paper rolls or construction paper
    • excessive glue or tape

    Once you've got a hand full of empty toilet paper rolls, the DIY fun begins.

    GHOSTLY GARLAND

    A ghostly garland is a simple yet effective way to add a spooky touch to your Halloween decor. To create this eerie decoration, you'll need:

    • Toilet paper rolls
    • White paint or white paper
    • Black marker
    • String or twine
    • Scissors
    • Hole punch

    Instructions:

    1. Flatten the toilet paper rolls and cut them into ghost shapes. These can be as simple as ghost silhouettes or as detailed as you like.

    2. Paint the ghost shapes white and allow them to dry completely. If you prefer, you can cover them with white paper instead of painting.

    3. Use a black marker to draw ghostly faces on each figure.

    4. Punch a hole at the top of each ghost and thread them onto a string or twine.

    5. Hang your ghostly garland around your home for a spooky and whimsical touch.

    CREEPY CANDLE HOLDER (LED)

    Transform your toilet paper rolls into creepy candle holders that will cast eerie shadows when you place an LED light candle inside. You'll need:

    • Toilet paper rolls
    • Black paint or black paper
    • Scissors
    • Craft knife (adult supervision required)
    • LED tea light candles (not actual flames please)

    Instructions:

    1. Cut the toilet paper rolls into various lengths to create different-sized candle holders.

    2. Paint the outside of the rolls black or wrap them in black paper, leaving the top open.

    3. Use a craft knife (with adult supervision) to cut out spooky shapes, such as bats, spiders, or haunted house silhouettes, from the black-painted or black-paper-covered rolls.

    4. Place a tea light candle inside each candle holder and light them up for an eerie glow.

    MINATURE MUMMIES, DRACULA, PUMPKIN, FRANKENSTIEN AND FRIENDS:

    These miniature halloween creatures are adorable and super easy to make. Of course, we got a little silly and gave our Pristine Toilet Paper Spray bottle a great costume too (see pic above). Gather the following supplies:

    • Toilet paper rolls
    • Googly eyes
    • Glue
    • Scissors
    • White medical gauze or white fabric strips (for mummy)
    • Black construction paper or marker to make faces and costumes

    Instructions:

    1. Mummy:  Wrap a toilet paper roll with white gauze or fabric strips, leaving gaps for the eyes.  Glue googly eyes onto the gauze to create the mummy's eyes peeking out.

    2. Pumpkin: Paint toilet paper roll orange, or cover with orange construction paper. Draw triangles for eyes and nose, and a giant pumpkin smile (see photo for ideas).

    3. Frankenstein: Paint toilet paper roll green, or cover with green construction paper. Glue googly eyes onto toilet paper roll. Use black construction paper or black marker to make mouth and eyebrows.
    4. Dracula: Glue googly eyes onto toilet paper roll. Use pen or marker to make a sinister smile and fangs. Use construction paper to create a widow's peak hairstyle. Cut purple construction paper into a bowtie and triangles to make a terrifying cape. Glue bowtie and cape to toilet paper roll.

    These "spooky" (but, not really) Halloween crafts made with toilet paper rolls are budget-friendly and fantastic way to recycle and repurpose materials you already have at home. They are so easy to create and are tremendous fun for kids. Especially, since it involves toilet paper, which tends to make kids giggle.

    One (of many things) that are spookier than these cute crafts is running out of toilet paper. So, please don't unravel the entire roll just to make a toilet-paper-roll-Frankenstein head. And, of course continue to conserve toilet paper by using Pristine Toilet Paper Spray with your regular toilet paper to extend the life of your toilet paper, and for a clean and fresh feeling.

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