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Craft Tutorials | Crafts for Kids | Animal Crafts for Kids | Cardboard Tube Cow: The Farm Series

Cardboard Tube Cow: The Farm Series

Author by Amanda Davis on April 8, 2011 Updated on May 29, 2020

5 from 3 votes
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Yesterday I stopped by my friend Butch’s farm and said hi to some of his many dairy cows. So today I thought it was fitting to share my cardboard tube cow with you, the 3rd in the Farm Series of cardboard tube crafts. You’ve already met the pig, the chicken, her chicks, and the sheep. So today I’ll show you how to make this cute little Holstein.

First, say hi to some of Butch’s cows. These lovely ladies live a couple miles down the road from me.

Here’s Butch’s farm. His family has been farming in this area since the 1800’s.

So now you know why I was inspired to create a series of farm animals, I’m surrounded by them! Now let’s get on with the tutorial. :)

Cardboard Tube Cow

Cardboard tube, cut to about 3″
Acrylic paint: pink, white, and black
2 white chenille stems
Spouncer (round sponge applicator)
Scissors
White craft glue or glue gun
Black Sharpie marker

Paint the tube inside and out with white paint and let it dry.

Paint a pink oval on the front for the nose.

Use a small round sponge applicator to add black splotches. Just dip it in black paint then press, twirl, spread, whatever you want, to get the effect of splotches. Dip the handle end of a paintbrush into black paint and add the nostrils. You can also use a Sharpie for this step.

Cut 2 1/2″ off of each white chenille stem. Set the long pieces aside and make the ears from the two shorter pieces. See the picture above. Just coil one end and leave a little bit of it straight.

Glue the ears in the top of the tube, the straight piece goes on the inside of the tube.

Cut the two longer pieces in half so that you have 4 pieces. Coil those around the handle of a small paintbrush and glue them inside the bottom of the tube for the legs.

Use a Sharpie to add eyes, eyebrows and a smile. Shown here with his piggy friend. Get the tutorial for the cardboard tube pig here.

Print Project
5 from 3 votes

Cardboard Tube Cow: The Farm Series

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • Cardboard tube cut to about 3"
  • Acrylic paint: pink white, and black
  • 2 white chenille stems
  • Spouncer round sponge applicator
  • Scissors
  • White craft glue or glue gun
  • Black Sharpie marker

Instructions

  • Paint the tube inside and out with white paint and let it dry.
  • Paint a pink oval on the front for the nose.
  • Use a small round sponge applicator to add black splotches. Just dip it in black paint then press, twirl, spread, whatever you want, to get the effect of splotches. Dip the handle end of a paintbrush into black paint and add the nostrils. You can also use a Sharpie for this step.
  • Cut 2 1/2" off of each white chenille stem. Set the long pieces aside and make the ears from the two shorter pieces. Just coil one end and leave a little bit of it straight.
  • Glue the ears in the top of the tube, the straight piece goes on the inside of the tube.
  • Cut the two longer pieces in half so that you have 4 pieces. Coil those around the handle of a small paintbrush and glue them inside the bottom of the tube for the legs.
  • Use a Sharpie to add eyes, eyebrows and a smile.


Did you enjoy this post? Why not subscribe to my feed, or better yet, to my free newsletter – Foodie in the Craftroom, which provides not only crafts but recipes from my other blog, Amanda’s Cookin’ as well!


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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Animal Crafts for Kids, Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids, Earth Day Crafts, Easy Crafts for Kids Tagged With: animals, cardboard tubes, earth day, farm, farm animal, farm animals, holidays, kid's crafts, recycle crafts

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Comments

  1. Laura Ingalls Gunn says

    April 15, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    I absolutely adore this project! I am hosting a Springtime Craft and Project linky party today and I would love it if you would particpate.

    There is a giveaway involved. :)

    Reply
  2. creativejewishmom/sara says

    April 14, 2011 at 8:07 am

    adorable Amanda, you've definately cornered the market on tp tube crafts! thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

    Reply
  3. RedTedArt says

    April 13, 2011 at 11:38 am

    You think you have seen them all and then you come up with another idea!! ;-)

    Maggy

    Reply
  4. Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl says

    April 12, 2011 at 1:09 am

    Cute as can be! I am next to you at Met Monday.

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    April 11, 2011 at 4:23 am

    Gah- so cute! I love those little ears! Thanks so much for another adorable how-to, I'll be linking.

    Reply
  6. Tami says

    April 8, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    So sweet! You're lucky to have farms so close by!

    Reply
5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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