Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than by making these adorable paper roll birds? They’re a quick and fun kids craft, and they’re the perfect way to add a little colour and charm to your home. Plus, this DIY craft only uses simple supplies that you probably already have around the house, so it’s budget-friendly and easy to pull off!
Toilet paper roll birds are perfect for so many occasions. Whether you’re looking for a fun spring activity or a creative way to repurpose old paper rolls, this project is sure to fly high with everyone. So are you ready to spread your wings and give this bird craft a try?
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How to Make Paper Roll Birds
Materials:
- Toilet paper roll
- Acrylic paint (yellow, green, orange)
- Paint markers (grey or black, and green)
- Glue tape
- Googly eyes
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Create the bird shape
- Flatten one end of a paper roll.
- Add hot glue along one half of the flattened side.
- Press the two sides of the roll back together, holding it firmly for 20 to 30 seconds while the glue dries.
- Trim about 1 inch off the open end of the roll.
- Cut a triangle shape from the excess cardboard for the bird’s beak.
- Flatten the open end of the roll in the opposite direction from the glued end.
- Cut this end on a bit of a curve. Keep the center the same length, but trim down a bit on each side.
- Add a small line of glue towards the center curve. Place the beak into the glue.
- Now add another line of glue across the whole side. Press the sides together, again, holding them until the glue dries and it stays on its own.
Step 3: Paint the bird
- Use pencil to draw wing shapes on both sides of the bird. Draw angled lines towards the front of the bird that will divide the main colour and breast colour of the bird.
- Choose a main colour for your bird. Paint the top and wings of the bird this colour.
- Once the paint has dried, add a second coat if necessary.
- Paint the chest and bottom of the bird a second complementary colour. Again, add a second coat of paint if you’d like.
- Paint the beak orange, yellow, or black, depending on what kind of bird you’d like to make.
Step 4: Add details
- Once the paint has completely dried, outline the wings in black or grey paint marker and add little lines to represent the feathers.
- You can also add feather details on the back of the bird and on the tail.
- Use a matching colour of marker (a darker green, for us) to add feather details to the chest and bottom of the bird.
- Attach googly eyes to either side of the bird’s face with glue tape or a small dot of hot glue.
- Your paper roll bird is complete!
Helpful Tips:
- To make different sizes of birds, use different sizes of paper tubes! You can cut down a paper towel roll to make a larger bird or use multiple smaller pieces to make a whole flock of tiny birds.
- If you’re crafting with younger children, consider using a low-temperature glue gun. Alternatively, you can tape the ends together and use duct tape as part of the colourful design.
What if I don’t have toilet paper rolls to make this paper roll bird craft?
If you’re out of toilet paper rolls, you can easily substitute cardboard tubes, which are available on Amazon. These pre-cut rolls are sturdy and perfect for crafting.
You can also cut down a paper towel roll, wrapping paper roll, or even roll up a piece of cardstock and secure it with tape for a quick DIY alternative.
What’s the best type of paint to use for a colourful toilet paper roll bird?
For best results we recommend acrylic paint, which is easy to work with, dries quickly, and comes in a wide range of colours. These paints are perfect for crafting and give your birds a smooth, vibrant finish.
If you’re crafting with kids, you’ll want to ensure you use a kid-safe, non-toxic paint (which most acrylics are). Tempera and project paints are often designed with children in mind, and are washable for easy clean up.
What else can I use to decorate my paper roll bird?
There are so many creative ways to decorate your toilet paper roll bird! Here are just a few ideas:
- Glue on craft feathers to give your bird real wings or a tail!
- Outline the wings or add patterns using glitter glue for a sparkly, eye-catching finish.
- Give your birds some sparkle by decorating them with adhesive rhinestones.
- Wrap the bird’s body or wings with fun designs using washi tape.
- Add texture with puffy paint. It creates a raised look, perfect for making feather details pop on the wings and chest.
- Instead of using standard googly eyes, try using colourful googly eyes or ones of different sizes.
- Paint your bird in shimmering metallic shades for a sleek, glossy finish.
- Make your bird “stand out” by adding pipe cleaner legs. Twist them into little feet and glue them to the bottom of your bird for extra charm.
These paper roll birds are such a fun and simple craft that anyone can make! Whether you’re crafting with kids or just looking for a cute spring project to do on your own, these little feathered friends will brighten up any space. They’re easy to decorate, so you can make each bird your own. Happy crafting, and may your creativity take flight!
Here’s even more paper roll craft ideas:
Easy Monarch Butterflies Craft
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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