These adorable cardboard tube chicks are an easy kid’s craft tutorial for spring or Easter. All you need is a cardboard tube, paint and pipe cleaners. If you are planning any Easter crafts for your kids, be sure to include this one!
Cardboard Tube Chick Tutorial
This is a fun craft for Easter and for spring as well. It’s also part of my cardboard tube farm series! Make these cute toilet paper roll chicks with your kids today!
Supplies you will need
- Cardboard tube
- Acrylic paint: yellow, pink, orange
- Yellow and orange pipe cleaners
Helpful crafting tools
Crafting Tips
- To simplify this project for younger kids, use wiggle eyes instead of a marker, or simply draw the eyes on for your children.
- You can also substitute felt or construction paper for the wings, beak, and tufts of hair. This would work for the feet as well.
- I do use a hot glue gun for this project. You can use Beacon’s 123 instant grab glue or other fast dry glue if you prefer. You can also use white craft glue but will need to hold the wings, tufts of hair and feet in place as the glue sets.
How to make Cardboard Tube Chicks
- Cut cardboard tube to desired size, mine are 1 1/4″ high.
- Paint inside and outside of cardboard tube with yellow paint and let dry.
- Cut 3 small pieces of yellow pipe cleaners, about 3/4″ long each. These are the tufts of hair. Glue them together at the ends so that the ends meet and the tops fan out.
- Cut 2 pieces of orange pipe cleaners, about 1 1/2″ long. These are the feet.
- Cut 2 pieces of yellow pipe cleaners, about 2″ long each. Bend each one in half, these are the wings.
- Glue the tufts of hair inside the top of the cardboard tube. Glue the wings to the side of the tube and the feet stems go inside the bottom. Bend them so they stick out the front. See below.
- Use orange paint to add the beak, and a Sharpie marker to add the eyes and eyebrows.
- Use an old scruffy, small paintbrush dipped in pink paint to add the cheeks. Before adding the cheeks, dab off as much excess paint as you can so that you are applying it almost dry.
We love how cute these little cardboard tube chicks are! Super fun craft project for the kiddos.
More Chick Crafts for Kids
- Washcloth Bunny and Chick
- Foam Cup Chick
- Painted Rock Chicks
- Yarn Pom Pom Chicks
- Plastic Spoon Chicks
Cardboard Tube Chicks
Turn recycled toilet paper tubes into darling little baby chickens - perfect for spring or Easter. These cardboard tube chicks are so sweet!
Supplies
- 1 Cardboard tube
- Acrylic paint: yellow, pink, orange
- 2 each Yellow and orange pipe cleaners
Craft tools
- Hot glue and a glue gun
- Black marker
Instructions
- Cut cardboard tube to desired size, mine are 1 1/4″ high. Paint inside and outside of cardboard tube with yellow paint and let dry.
- Cut 3 small pieces of yellow pipe cleaners, about 3/4″ long each. These are the tufts of hair. Glue them together at the ends so that the ends meet and the tops fan out.
- Cut 2 pieces of orange pipe cleaners, about 1 1/2″ long. These are the feet.
- Cut 2 pieces of yellow pipe cleaners, about 2″ long each. Bend each one in half, these are the wings.
- Glue the tufts of hair inside the top of the cardboard tube. Glue the wings to the side of the tube and the feet stems go inside the bottom. Bend them so they stick out the front.
- Use orange paint to add beak, and a Sharpie marker to add the eyes and eyebrows. Use an old scruffy, small paintbrush dipped in pink paint to add the cheeks. Before adding the cheeks, dab off as much excess paint as you can so that you are applying it almost dry.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- To simplify this project for younger kids, use wiggle eyes instead of a marker, or simply draw the eyes on for your children.
- You can also substitute felt or construction paper for the wings, beak, and tufts of hair. This would work for the feet as well.
- I do use a hot glue gun for this project. You can use Beacon's 123 instant grab glue or other fast dry glue if you prefer. You can also use white craft glue but will need to hold the wings, tufts of hair and feet in place as the glue sets.
This post originally appeared here on Mar 28, 2011.
Latest posts by Amanda Formaro (see all)
- Spring Activity Sheets and Coloring Pages - May 22, 2022
- Tulip Wreath - May 6, 2022
- Lavender Bath Bombs - April 29, 2022
Jackie Urquhart says
I remember doing these at primary school, mum was chuffed, so she ended up putting them on my Easter Bonnet. Thank you for reminding me of a memory.
Michele Randles says
Great crat for kids on a rainy or snowy day
Michelle says
So sweet! They came out so cute!I would love if you would link this activity up to my Made by Little Hands Monday linky part!!
Thanks so much!
Michelle
http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
These are beyond-words cute!
Sommer says
If those aren't the cutest things… I don't know what is! I'd love to have you link this to my VIP party today! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/03/vip-party-9.html
Hollie - TheSevenYearCottage.com says
So stinkin' cute!
Nicole @ The Wonderful World of Wohler says
Super Cute, thanks for sharing, visiting from Tatertots & Jello.
Pams Party says
These are so cute!
phasejumper says
These are really cute! Bookmarking them to use later!
Elle Belles Bows says
Too cute!! Stopping by from Red Ted!
Kerri
Erin says
Totally adorable! You are so darn creative!!!
RedTedArt says
Ooooh we made some loo roll chicks too! But yours are very cute!! Love them – you always have so many ideas!
Thank you for linking up to Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
These are really cute—so many things to do with tubes!!! You should do an "angry birds" version of this!!!! (video game) It would be a huge hit!!!
Ani says
Those are super cute! I'm sure they will brighten up any home :)
Bugged Designs says
Brilliant! Looks like we are going to be very busy over the easter holidays :)
marla says
Amanda these are so cute, I want them running all around my house.
Katrina says
Chicks are probably my favorite spring animal. Though I do love bunnies, too. And sheep. Frogs are really cute. My son collects frogs. Aw, little kitties and puppies.
Can't wait to see what all you come up with!
Anonymous says
I could see the little chicks sitting on a cup cake! Kids would have a little toy to play with after they ate the cake:)
Sweet Little Smoothie says
Adorable!! I can't wait to make these with my little boy! Thanks for sharing :)