Turn ordinary paper rolls into the cutest little owls with this easy fall craft! This paper roll owl craft is easy, fun, and a great way to get creative with kids while using recycled materials you already have at home.
Add paper wings, googly eyes, and a few bright colours to give each owl its own personality. This owl craft is a quick, low-mess project that makes adorable handmade decor for the season!
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission which helps us run this website.
How to Make a Paper Roll Owl
Materials:
- Toilet paper roll
- Acrylic paint
- Cardstock (multiple colours)
- Large googly eyes (20mm)
- Glue tape
- Black paint pen
Equipment:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Form the owl shape and paint it
- To make your owl you’ll need an empty toilet paper roll or a paper towel roll cut down to size.
- Begin by pushing the end of the paper roll down and in on one side.
- Repeat on the other side, creating the owl’s ears.
- Paint the outside of the paper roll owl with acrylic paint. Make sure you get the top of the owl’s head as well.Allow to dry, and add a second coat of paint, if necessary.
Step 3: Add the owl’s features
- Cut pieces from cardstock to decorate your owl. You’ll need 2 circles for the eyes (larger than your googly eyes), a beak, 2 wings, and an oval for the chest/stomach.
- Add glue tape to the back of the googly eyes and attach them to the cardstock circles. You can also use tacky glue.
- Apply more glue tape on the backs of the eyes and set them in place at the top of the owl.
- Glue the beak just below the eyes (or even overlapping it a bit) and then attach the wings to the sides of the owl.Add glue tape to the top 1/3 of the wings and set them in place. Bend the wings inwards a bit so they’re sticking up.
- Use a paint marker or Sharpie to draw “U” shaped feathers on the chest.
- Add glue tape to the back of the chest and attach it to the paper roll.
- Your paper roll owl is complete!
- Now have fun making a whole parliament of owls in all different colours!
Helpful Tips:
- No googly eyes? No problem! Buttons make adorable eyes, or you can draw eyes directly on the paper roll using paint markers or permanent markers. Or cut small cardstock circles and draw the pupils in for a classic owl look.
- Choose your glue wisely: Glue tape works great for a low-mess option, but you can also use a low-temperature glue gun, tacky glue, or regular school glue — just allow a little extra drying time if you’re using liquid glue.
- Add tiny feet for extra character: Cut out feet from cardstock and glue the “leg” part to the front inside edge of the roll. Then fold the feet outward at a 90-degree angle so your owl can stand. Try orange or yellow paper for a fun pop of colour!
Can I make this paper roll owl craft without cardstock?
Sure! You can cut the owl’s features from another paper roll and paint them in your chosen colours. Or mix and match patterned scrapbook paper, old book pages, or bits of wrapping paper for unique wings and feathers.
Cupcake liners also make great ruffled wings, while craft foam adds a bit of dimension. Felt also works beautifully — and you can even use fabric paint or puff paint to add texture to the chest feathers!
Do I have to use toilet paper rolls for this owl craft?
Toilet paper rolls are the perfect size, but if you don’t want to use ones from your bathroom you can also buy cardboard tubes for crafting. Or cut paper towel rolls or wrapping paper tubes down to about 4 inches.
If you prefer not to use recycled rolls, you can make your own tube by rolling and taping a strip of cardboard from a cereal box — just be sure to secure it well with strong glue or tape.
What paint works best for making paper roll owls?
Acrylic paint is ideal — it’s inexpensive, dries quickly, and gives bold colour with just one coat.
Tempera paint is another good choice, especially for younger kids, since it’s washable. Just note that you’ll need a couple of coats for full coverage. You can also use paint sticks or markers if you want to skip the brushes altogether.
This project is a great reminder that some of the best crafts come from the simplest materials. By turning recycled paper rolls into fun little owls, you can create something charming, sustainable, and seasonal — all at once!
It’s an easy, low-mess way to get creative and use up what you already have on hand. Whether for a classroom art project or a quiet weekend craft, these recycled owls are a super fun way to celebrate fall.
Here’s even more owl 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:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
Leave a Reply