Christmas Lights Craft: How to Make with Toilet Paper Rolls
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This Christmas lights craft made with toilet paper rolls is a fantastic way to recycle and have holiday fun.
Using only a few materials, this frugal craft can be made with kids for DIY decorations. My boys and I have enjoyed this project for Christmas fun. We've tried a variety of ideas to make creative Christmas lights for our trees and more.
Get ready for some festive fun with this crafty activity that your children will love for the holidays!
Related: This free printable Christmas lights scavenger hunt is a cool activity for building observation skills.
Brighten Your Holiday Activities with a Frugal Project
Are you looking for easy ways to have festive fun with kids? Need a frugal activity to enjoy during a holiday party or community event? Perhaps you'd like to teach your students about recycling while making a Christmas decoration that looks awesome?
Well, this colorful Christmas lights craft is amazing for all of those things and many more!
My boys and I really go all out for the holidays. As my boys have gotten older, we seems to add a little bit more to our Christmas homeschool fun activities. One of our best decisions was to add a Christmas tree to our homeschool area (a.k.a. dining room).
For this tree, we use only homemade ornaments and accessories. I love looking at this tree because it brings back so many fond memories of special times spent together. And the garland for this tree is variations of this DIY Christmas lights garland made with empty toilet paper rolls!
Recommended Materials for This Toilet Paper Roll Craft
This simple Christmas craft allows you to recycle empty toilet paper rolls. It's an excellent way to show your kids that you don't have to spend a ton of money for craft time or making decorations that actually look good. So, start a stash of empty toilet paper rolls now so you'll have enough to use for making extra TP roll lights!
If you'd like to stay away from paint (I totally get it!), I highly recommend using tempera paint sticks, like Kwik Stix.
Have these supplies prepared so you'll be all set for craft fun with kids. In this list, I've included the recommended materials, as well as suggestions for additional ways to tweak or customize:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Paint
- Ribbon (yarn, twine, string)
- Paintbrush
- Hole punch
- Scissors
- Tempera paint sticks
- Glitter glue
- Washi tape
- Cardstock
- Stapler, tape, or glue sticks (if using cardstock instead of toilet paper rolls)
Henoyso 100 Packs Cardboard Tubes for Craft 1.57 x 3.74 Christmas DIY Toilet Paper Rolls Thanksgiving Cardboard Paper Tubes Halloween Supplies for Kid DIY Craft(White)Bright Creations 48 Pack Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts, Brown Cardboard Tubes for DIY, Classrooms, Dioramas (1.6 x 4 in)JOYIN Washable Paint for Kids 42PCS - Non-Toxic- Tempera Paint Set (2 oz Each), Liquid Paint with 15 Brushes and 4 Palettes - Paint for Arts and Crafts Project, Finger Painting6 Rolls 150 Yards Christmas Wrapping Ribbon Glitter Fabric Holiday Festival Satin Plaid Ribbons for Gift Wrapping Decoration Floral Bows Craft…The Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paints, Thin Stix Paint Pens, Super Quick Drying, 12 Classic Colors for Children - 12 Pack - TPG-608Crayola Washable Glitter Glue, Assorted Colors 9 ea (Pack of 3)letesult 80 Sheets Christmas Cardstock Thick Paper,Red Green Glitter Silver Gold Holiday Cardstock Paper Card Stock for Christmas Card Making Arts Scrapbook Crafts Invitations Greeting Present TagsPrintworks Holiday Cardstock, 67lb Heavyweight Cardstock, Includes Red, Green, and White Cardstock, 200 sheets total, Perfect for Christmas Cards, Gift Tags, Party Announcements & Craft
How to Make This Christmas Lights Toilet Paper Roll Craft
01
Cut toilet paper rolls
Flatten the toilet paper rolls and cut strips approximately one inch wide.
02
Paint toilet paper roll pieces
Paint toilet paper rings inside and out. Let dry completely. Choose several different colors for a better effect.
03
Put a hole in each toilet paper roll ring
Punch a hole through both sides of one end of toilet paper ring only for each “light.”
04
String the toilet paper roll rings on the ribbon
Thread the toilet paper roll rings (lights) on the ribbon, alternating colors again.
Have More Christmas Lights Fun with Kids
Keep your Christmas crafty fun going by making more frugal crafts. Our Christmas tree toilet paper roll craft is another terrific way to recycle those materials.
If you need a few mess-free options for getting creative over the holidays, our free printable 3D Christmas tree is outstanding for colorful holiday fun. This free printable 3D Christmas coloring project results in a delightful display that's great for gift giving and more.
Enjoy yummy treats with this Christmas lights cupcake recipe by Baked Bree and Christmas lights cookies by Dessert for Two.
Ideas for Using Your Christmas Lights Craft
Would you like to personalize your TP roll Christmas lights garland? You can use different colors of paint (besides the traditional colors). Consider adding glitter to your paint for a sparkly effect.
Boost your decorations with small items like pom poms, stickers, sequins, or small jingle bells.
Not sure where to display your DIY Christmas lights garland? A few places that you could hang your garland include:
- Above your fireplace on your mantle
- Above or on your doorway
- Windows
- On your Christmas trees
- On your mailbox
- To decorate your stair railings (you can weave through or wrap around a pillar)
⭐ How would you customize this Christmas lights craft? Do you have any questions about how to make it? Please let me know if you have any questions about the steps in this tutorial. And let me know in the comments area at the bottom of this post!