This paper roll cactus is a fun recycled craft that turns a simple cardboard tube into the cutest little desert plant. Paint the roll, add a pair of googly eyes, and paint on tiny details to give it tons of charm!
Kids can make just one cactus or create a whole collection in different shades of green. Change up the faces, give them different numbers of arms, and use different patterns so they all turn out a little different. This desert craft is fun for kids, a great way to reuse cardboard rolls, and an easy project for classrooms or summer crafting.
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How to Make a Paper Roll Cactus
Materials:
- Toilet paper roll
- Acrylic paint (green)
- Large googly eyes
- Acrylic paint markers (black and green)
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Prepare the pieces of the cactus
- To make your paper roll cactus you’ll need 1 toilet paper roll to be the center base of the cactus.
- You’ll also need a 2nd roll for the arms. Flatten this roll down with your hands.
- Use a pencil to draw 2 arms for the cactus on the flattened paper roll. You want the raised (vertical) parts of the arms to be along the sides of the roll.
- Cut out the cactus arms and then trim the horizontal section of the arms down. This will open it up, so it’s no longer connected on the one side.
- Then fold in the horizontal pieces on both arms to create little tabs. This is where they’ll connect to the cactus.
Step 3: Paint the cactus pieces
- Add a coat of green paint to the full paper roll.
- Make sure you paint the top of the roll and a bit inside the top as well.
- Then add the same colour of paint to the outside of the cactus arms.
- Allow the paint to dry, and then paint the inside of the arms as well. Allow to dry again.You now have the main parts of your cactus ready!
Step 4: Put the cactus together
- Add hot glue to both tabs on one of the cactus arms.
- Attach the arm to the side of the cactus. Hold it in place for a minute to allow the glue to dry.Then repeat with the second arm, attaching it at a different height on the opposite side.
Step 5: Add the details
- Use hot glue to attach googly eyes to the front of the cactus.
- Then use a black acrylic paint marker to draw a smiling mouth.
- Finally, use a yellow or light green paint marker to draw cactus spines all over the cactus body and arms.Here we drew alternating slanted lines, but you can also do little “Vs” or “Xs”. Take a look at the picture below to get more ideas!
- Your paper roll cactus is complete!
- Have fun making cacti in all different shapes and shades of green!
Helpful Tips:
- Make sure the base paint is completely dry before adding details with a paint marker. If the paint is still damp, the marker can smudge or drag through the paint.
- Have fun making each paper roll cactus unique! Try different cactus shapes, funny faces, shades of green, arm styles, and needle patterns to give each one its own little personality.
- If you don’t have toilet paper rolls you can buy craft tubes online or cut paper towel rolls and wrapping paper rolls down to size.
What’s the best type of paint for making a paper roll cactus?
Multi-surface acrylic paint is the best choice for this paper roll cactus craft. It goes on in thick, even coats and usually covers the cardboard roll with just one coat.
Regular acrylic paint will also work well, but you may need to add a second coat to fully cover the paper roll, especially if the paint is thinner or more transparent.
How many paper rolls do I need to make one cactus?
You’ll need 2 paper rolls per cactus if you’re making both the body and the arms from cardboard rolls. One roll is used for the main cactus body, and the second roll is used to cut out the arms.
If you use green cardstock or cardboard for the arms instead, you can make each cactus with just 1 paper roll.
How can I make each paper roll cactus different?
There are lots of easy ways to personalize your paper roll cactus! Here are some fun ideas:
- Paint each cactus a different shade of green
- Add different facial expressions
- Draw on the eyes instead of using googly eyes.
- Change the style of the cactus needles (lines, dots, V-shapes, dashes, or little starburst shapes)
- Add varying sizes of arms and place them in different positions
- Glue on small tissue paper flower(s) to make your cactus extra cute.
This paper roll cactus is such a fun way to turn simple recycled materials into a cute craft with lots of personality. Choose your favourite shade of green and give your cactus a cute smiling face and other fun details. It’s a cute summer craft that’s perfect for kids of all ages and looks super cheerful on display!
Here’s even more cactus craft ideas:
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:
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