This adorable giraffe is made completely from toilet paper cardboard tubes and some printed felt. You could paint the tubes instead, but I found the printed felt at Hobby Lobby on sale, couldn’t pass that up! He’s just busy nommin’ on my bushes… :)
There’s a little story behind this giraffe. This was originally intended for Kaboose, one of my day jobs, but the aim there is to create easy crafts for small children. While I intended this to be easy, it ended up being more complicated than I thought it would. Now really, it’s not hard to make, but the big challenge comes in where I can’t use dangerous items such as craft knives, hot glue guns, etc. So, getting this giraffe together without a glue gun was almost impossible. I did manage to make it work without a glue gun, but by that time, it had gone from the easy craft in my head, and morphed into just far too many steps for little kids.
There was no way that the white glue was going to hold. There was nothing but thin round edges of cardboard tubes for it to grab, so no go there. That led to me inserting jumbo craft sticks into the body parts in order to keep the pieces together. Even that made for a wobbly giraffe, so instead, I made something easier for Kaboose, and kept this cute little guy for myself. :)
In the instructions below I skip all the craft stick mumbo jumbo, simply because using a glue gun to attach all the body parts works perfectly, eliminating the need for the craft sticks all together.
Wouldn’t this be just adorable in a baby nursery?? :)
Cardboard Tube Giraffe
6 cardboard tubes
2 sheet giraffe print felt
1/2 sheet white felt
2 large wiggle eyes
shipping or masking tape
white craft glue or felt glue
jumbo craft stick
scissors
24″ white yarn
hot glue gun
Tape 2 of the tubes together, end to end.
Cover with giraffe print felt using white glue.
Cover 3 of the remaining 4 tubes with giraffe print felt and trim the ends.
Stand 2 of the short tubes up on their ends (legs). You will need to cut a half-circle shaped notch in the top of each one. This is where the body will sit. Save the notched out pieces, you will use them to make the ears.
Cut a similar notch at one end of the long tube. This is where the neck will rest on the body.
Take the last tube and cut about 1/3 off, save for another project. Cover the 2/3 tube with white felt. Cut a notch at one end, this is where the head will attach to the top of the neck. Above where the notch is, cut two slits, about 1/2″ long, for the ears. From the notched out giraffe print pieces you have left over, cut two ears and insert them into the slits. Add some glue, set aside to dry.
At the top of the body, above the front leg, cut a slit and insert a jumbo craft stick. This will help keep the neck steady.
Use hot glue to secure all the body pieces together.
Cut white yarn into 3/4″ long pieces. Pipe a generous line of white glue along the back of the neck and up between the ears for the forelock. Stand the pieces of yarn up in the glue, they should stay up. If a few fall, just stand them back up again.
Cardboard Tube Giraffe
Supplies
- 6 cardboard tubes
- 2 sheet giraffe print felt
- 1/2 sheet white felt
- 2 large wiggle eyes
- shipping or masking tape
- white craft glue or felt glue
- jumbo craft stick
- scissors
- 24 " white yarn
- hot glue gun
Instructions
- Tape 2 of the tubes together, end to end. Cover with giraffe print felt using white glue. Cover 3 of the remaining 4 tubes with giraffe print felt and trim the ends.
- Stand 2 of the short tubes up on their ends (legs). You will need to cut a half-circle shaped notch in the top of each one. This is where the body will sit. Save the notched out pieces, you will use them to make the ears.
- Cut a similar notch at one end of the long tube. This is where the neck will rest on the body.
- Take the last tube and cut about 1/3 off, save for another project. Cover the 2/3 tube with white felt. Cut a notch at one end, this is where the head will attach to the top of the neck. Above where the notch is, cut two slits, about 1/2" long, for the ears. From the notched out giraffe print pieces you have left over, cut two ears and insert them into the slits. Add some glue, set aside to dry.
- At the top of the body, above the front leg, cut a slit and insert a jumbo craft stick. This will help keep the neck steady.
- Use hot glue to secure all the body pieces together.
- Cut white yarn into 3/4" long pieces. Pipe a generous line of white glue along the back of the neck. Stand the pieces of yarn up in the glue, they should stay up. If a few fall, just stand them back up again.
If you like jungle themed crafts, or are just looking for something kid friendly, look at this really cute lion’s face craft that Sherri from Family Crafts at About.com made! Isn’t it adorable? Visit Sherri for the instructions :)
I’m participating in the following craft carnivals. To see some other awesome projects, be sure to visit them!
- Glowing Jack O Lantern Jars - September 19, 2023
- Glow in the Dark Monster Rocks - September 12, 2023
- Deco Mesh Pumpkin Wreath - September 5, 2023
Jennifer says
Thank you so much for this wonderful illustration it was very helpful in making this for my daughter’s project for school in making a sculpture out of something at home and why not out to paper toilet rolls my daughter and I enjoyed making this very much.
Amanda Formaro says
How fun, thank you so much Jennifer!
Ducks n a Row says
This giraffe is adorable! One of my kid blogging friends shared the link. I alternate years for my themes in my preschool class. This year was letter G is for Garden so next year is G is for Giraffe! I am pinning this so that we can have it for next year. Thanks
Sinea from Ducks n a Row
Amanda Formaro says
That will be so fun!
BARBARA says
THIS GIRAFFE IS ADORABLE AND BECOME ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTER CIERRA’S SUMMER PROJECTS. I LOVE IT AND I KNOW SHE WILL TOO. MAYBE SHE CAN MAKE ONE FOR HER GRANDPA PAUL WHO LOVES GIRAFFE’S ALSO.
Amanda says
Thanks Barbara! Hope you have fun!
Crafts blog says
Great tutorial! i love it, thanks for sharing
Sandy Ang says
Thanks for the great tutorial. fantastic giraffe. Love for you to link it up to my challenge here http://angsandy.blogspot.com/2011/03/sandys-challenge-3.html
michelle@somedaycrafts says
Just reminding you that I am featuring this at somedaycrafts categorically crafting show today!
Amy @ Positively Splendid says
This is just too cute for words! Found you through Sew Much Ado. :)
Room to Inspire says
Oh my, this is just ADORABLE! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired last week!
Chelsea
Stephanie Lynn says
This is a wonderful craft for my little guy! Your creativity is simply amazing! Love him! Thanks for linking to the Sunday Showcase! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn
A Spoonful Of Sugar says
Another great recycle craft!
Jodie says
Too cute!!! What a fantastic idea.
Laura says
This is so adorable!! Thanks for linking up to Saturday is Crafty Day @ along for the ride! Hope to see you back next week!
Tracey @ My House of Giggles says
ok…seriously…this little guy is adorable!!! Thanks for sharing :)
Andy Porter says
WAy too cute!
Kenzie says
That is too cute! He is adorable!
Fawnda says
SO Cute! I love giraffes! he is too cute! :)
[email protected] says
That is so cute Amanda, I love it! Thanks so much, I'll be linking.
Sara's Sweet Surprise says
Amanda~ It was so nice to see you stroll in for a visit. I hope you enjoyed taking a peek around.
This is quite adorable. I've never seen giraffe print felt before, but we have the misfortune of not having Hobby Lobby's in our area. This would make a great centerpiece for a giraffe or zoo animal themed party. I wonder if you could adapt this idea to a mini version and stuff the rolls with candy for a party favor.
Sweet wishes,
Sara
Lanie Ree says
Aw, this is adorable!
Thank you for linking this to A Little Craft Therapy, with Life in the Pitts.
Summer says
Thanks for linking up! I'll be featuring this on my blog on Saturday! Be sure to come grab a featured button!
http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com
Sumo
Melissa says
He is very, very cute…
somedaycrafts says
This is one of the cutest TP roll crafts I have ever seen! I love it. I will feature it next week at the TP roll Categorically Crafting show on Somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
In response to your question about the giveaway, it can be to a website. The link just has to go somewhere!
Kim @ seven thirty three says
This is so fun! Great activity for my little ones!
Thanks for linking up with What are little boys made of?
Jenn @ Delicious Ambiguity says
Wow! This is Ah-Maze-ING! You are brilliant and incredibly talented. I hope you'll link up to Tot Tuesdays this week (well still under last weeks link). Have a good week! :)
Allison @ House of Hepworths says
Thanks for linking up to my blog roll!! Sorry it's taken me so long to stop by and say thanks. Busy busy!
That giraffe is so stinkin' ah-dorable!! I have to make one for my kids room.
pink and green mama says
So stinkin' cute — my little "C"'s favorite animal is a "draff" : )
She would love this!
Bobbie says
I love it! I have a link party on saturdays it is http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com
Abbi says
That is very cute! I love that you recycled. I have a bunch of TP tubes waiting to have something done with them.
Denise Marie says
this would be cute for a child to play with and for decor at a baby shower or b-day party.
Girl, I bet you dream up this stuff while you sleep. I want to do lightbulb crafts but look at you pulling it off..kuddos!!
Alix says
Adorable!
Thanks for the great idea!
Jax @ AlyandAsh says
How cute! My son LOVES giraffes! I'll totally have to try it!
Amy Bowman says
we have a whole bag full of tp/paper towel rolls! this is so very cute and will help us use up our stash. Thanks for linking to "AP Tuesdays!"
the momma says
That is really cute! Giraffes are definitely up there as one of my favorite animals…what? Why can't a 30 year old have a favorite animal??? Seriously, if you have kids you get asked those sort of q's all.the.time. (what's your favorite…color? food? animal? sport?) So you'd BETTER have an answer ready!
Great project!
Liz says
How stinking cute is that! I love it! :)
~Liz
Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} says
This is so cute! And would look great in my son's jungle-themed room. I'm going to try it!
I've found that when I don't want to get my glue gun out that the Beacon's 3-in-1 adhesive works almost as well. It very quick drying.
creativejewishmom.com says
This is just too cute! Would love if you linked to it at Craft Schooling Sunday this week, and I'll feature it next week. all the best!
Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.com says
That's super cute. I got some of that felt, too! I couldn't resist!
ClassyGal says
I love the giraffe, it's so very cute!!
Ramona says
I love this activity. Card board tubes are a great resource to use for so many arty activities and I hadn't seen this one before. It's great!
Steph says
This is too darn cute, Amanda! Great craft, as always. :)
Shawna says
Adorable!!…love all of your crafts!
http://pretendpartyandplay.blogspot.com/