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Sometimes things just hit me. Take these cardboard snakes as an example. I’m not sure why, but all of a sudden my mind said “Hey, I think a cardboard tube cut into a coil would make a really adorable snake craft!” It’s probably no surprise since I really do love turning cardboard tubes into something with character. So I hit the craft room, found a few tubes and some colorful paint, and today we have cute little colorful snakes made from toilet paper rolls.
You can use any colors you like. I chose bright colors for these just for the fun of it. Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes. You might need a second coat, just depends on the brand of paint you use and the color.
Cut the tubes into coils, but if your cardboard is still a little damp it might not hold it’s round shape while you cut. Don’t panic! I’ve got you covered. :) Take a tube from wrapping paper, or something similar, and wrap the cut cardboard around the tube loosely. Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add polka dots with a contrasting color of paint. LET DRY. Flip over on the other side and finish your polka dots.
Remove from tube and wrap the painted cardboard in coil fashion around your fingers. Here’s where you can play with it a bit and position it the way you want to. Paint the end with red and let it dry. Meanwhile, glue on googly eyes, I find it easiest to add the glue with a toothpick since they are small.
Now that the red paint is dry, use some small scissors to snip the red end into a forked tongue. An easier option, if your kids are smaller, is to cut a forked tongue from red construction paper, snip the end of the cardboard to cut off the point, and glue that paper tongue in place instead.
When the tubes are completely dry they are a lot easier to manipulate and shape. Stretch them out for a coiled snake on the ground, or coil them up with their head popping out!
Have fun!
| Cardboard Tube Coiled Snakes |
- 3 cardboard tubes
- tube from wrapping paper or similar tubular item
- 6 googly eyes
- Toothpick
- White craft glue
- Scissors
- Acrylic craft paint in colors of your choice
- Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes. Apply second coat if needed.
- Cut the tubes into coils, but if your cardboard is still a little damp it might not hold it’s round shape. Using a tube from wrapping paper, or something similar, and wrap the cut cardboard around the tube loosely. Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add polka dots with a contrasting color of paint. Let dry completely then flip over on the other side and finish your polka dots.
- Remove from tube and wrap the painted cardboard in coil fashion around your fingers. Place coiled cardboard on table. Paint the end with red and let it dry. Meanwhile, glue on goggly eyes, adding the glue with a toothpick since they are small.
- Now that the red paint is dry, use some small scissors to snip the red end into a forked tongue. An easier option, if your kids are smaller, is to cut a forked tongue from red construction paper, snip the end of the card board to cut off the point, and glue that paper tongue in place instead.
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Cute craft and fun to do! Great craft for the Bible story Adam & Eve. :)
Oh good idea!
i love this craft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome craft to go with our camouflage unit!
Well, you got me with snakes. I NEVER would have guessed snakes. And I wouldn’t have thought maybe you were going to cut the tubes. ;)
Haha stumped you! :)
They are the snakiest cute snakes I have ever seen…. My kids will love to make some of them to put in the garden :) Thanks!!!
cute….
These are so cute! My girls and I are big fans of cardboard tube crafts. This is definitely going on the list of craft projects we want to do!
These are so cute-you could even wrap them around your wrist & wear as a bracelet! Adorable!
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dumb question…how did you paint the inside of the tube?
Hi Debbie! Paint the outside and the inside of the tube first, before you do any cutting :)
They are adorable! Have to try this!
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I just love these! I was searching for a snake craft for my Sunday School class for the story about Moses and the rebellious Israelites in the wilderness when God sent fiery serpents among the people and many of them died. The Israelites cried out to God to forgive them and God told Moses to make a serpent of brass and put it on a stick and lift it up. All the people had to do was look at it and they would be saved. Kind of a rough story for kids so I was looking for something cute. This is perfect! Thanks for the great idea!
That’s great Jennifer, thanks!
What a fun craft, Amanda! My boys will love this!
Thanks Amy!
Thank you so much for sharing such a cute craft! I tried this with my 2nd grade 21st Century Summer School students today, during Arts & Crafts. They totally loved it! The K/1st graders were looking at the snakes and can’t wait until they make it tomorrow! Such a winning craft with our school! Keep posting the great ideas! :-)
How awesome, thanks Kelly!
CUTE! My boys are going to love doing this, thank you!
Oh my goodness, they are so good. My girls are going to love making them and playing with them.
Thanks Ali! Hope you have fun!
Ingenius! We’re definitely going to make these at my preschool!
We are so doing this for Chinese New Year, this is the year of the snake….thinking reds and golds with glitter!!!
Sounds like a great project!
Loved this project! I featured it on my website for the Chinese New Year, here’s the link: http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2013/2/10_Annee_du_serpentYear_of_the_snake.html
Cheers!
Marie-Eve
Thank so much for the feature!
Hi I am from Costa Rica, I love your crafts!
Thanks so much Alejandra!
cute. I think when you use old plastic containers and cut them like you did in a coil then you will have outside garden/balcony snakes.XD
like this, thank you for the tute and the sharing;XD
Very Very great idea! Thank you! I started to collect ideas using tissue paper rolls and your’s one of the best
My friends and I made 40 of these and took them to a nursing home. The residents loved them.
How fun Pegge, so glad you enjoyed the project and they did too! :) :)
So I really want to make these for my childcare kids, but I definitely don’t have access to 40 something toilet paper rolls. Any other way or material I could use instead?
Thanks!
Hi Rebecca. Cardboard tubes are your best bet. Why not ask parents to drop some off, and once your collection is large enough then make them?