I know that I’m a little late on the minion crafts. Despicable Me 2 was released in July and here it is the end of January, but I don’t think timing matters with these little guys. The little yellow minions made famous by their last two movies are just too cute and I doubt anyone would object to yet one more minion craft! So I present to you… Cardboard Tube Minions!
Cardboard Tube Minions
Many of you know that my kids are just about all grown up. My youngest is 15, so his interest in cardboard tubes is gone. I’m not a grandmother yet either, so now I give many of my kid’s craft projects to my friend Debra’s grandson. You’ve seen him on this blog before when he modeled these Egg Carton Spy Glasses that I made a couple of years ago.
I’m no stranger to cardboard tube crafts, that’s for sure. They’re an awesome way to reuse a cardboard tube that you’d normally throw in the trash (let’s hope you throw them in the recycling bin!) So I figured adding adorable Cardboard Tube Minions to the collections would be perfect! You can’t go wrong with these cuties.
Have a minion lover in your family? Using canning lids and some felt you can make these adorable Minion Ornaments!
I think they turned out fun! They’re a great kids craft, and also fall under the recycled craft category as well. Which is always a plus!
He seems to think they’re pretty darn cute, so I bet your kids and grandkids would too!
What you need to make Cardboard Tube Minions
- 3 cardboard tubes
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Black, gray-brown and yellow markers
- Pattern
Construction paper:
- Blue
- Yellow
- White
- Black
(Full printable instructions below) Glue yellow construction paper around the cardboard tube.
Cut a sheet of blue construction paper in half lengthwise. Take one of the halves and cut it in half in the opposite direction. Now, from one of those halves, cut in half again, lengthwise. The strips you need measure 2″ x 6″.
Use the pattern (link in printable instructions) to cut the coveralls out of your blue strip.
Glue the coveralls to the yellow tube, lining it up along the bottom of the tube. Add all the details as described in the printable instructions below.
Now you cardboard tube minions are finished! How cute, right? You may also like this Cardboard Tube Olaf craft and of course the Cardboard Tube Superman, Cardboard Tube Batman, and Cardboard Tube Wonder Woman that are always a hit!
Cardboard Tube Minions
Supplies
- 3 cardboard tubes
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Black gray brown and yellow markers
- Pattern
Construction paper:
- Blue
- Yellow
- White
- Black
Instructions
- Cut a sheet of yellow construction paper in half lengthwise. You can get two minions from each half. Apply glue stick to the yellow paper and wrap it around the cardboard tube. Trim the excess (about half the sheet) and repeat this process for the next two minions.
- Cut a sheet of blue construction paper in half lengthwise. Take one of the halves and cut it in half in the opposite direction. Now, from one of those halves, cut in half again, lengthwise. The strips you need measure 2" x 6".
- Use the pattern to cut the coveralls out of your blue strip.
- Glue the coveralls to the yellow tube, lining it up along the bottom of the tube.
- If you like, you can add the details such as the buttons on the coveralls using a black marker, and the front pocket with the letter "G" onto the front. For smaller kids, you may want to skip this part.
- Cut a thin strip of black paper, about 1/4" wide for the goggles. Glue the strip around the head area of the tube, about 3/4" from the top of the tube.
- Cut the goggle pieces from the black and white paper.
- * for a minion with one eye, use the larger circles, for two eyes use the smaller set of circles.
- Glue the white circle to the black circle and draw a pupil in the eye using a brown marker. You can add a dot of black to the brown. Glue the eye to the head of the minion overlapping the goggle strap. If you like, you can make the eyes appear to be squinting by adding yellow marker to the white as pictured.
- Use gray or brown markers to add mouths.
- If you would like to add hair, cut from black paper and glue to the inside of the tube at the front.
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Mrs Jackie Evans says
My Rainbow Guides will enjoy doing this as part of their recycling badge, they will use toilet roll tubes, I live in England
Roxanne says
Wow. the minion was so fun to make.
Our cousins play with them the whole time!
Amanda Formaro says
That’s awesome, so glad you had fun!
Sadia says
They are soooo cute!My daughter Sophia also made these!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Sadia!
bella says
Despicable Me -Minions i love it
Kelly says
These are too cute, Amanda! Pinned and Stumbled. Hugs!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much Kelly!
HawaiianLibrarian says
Never too late for minions! Mahalo for sharing a perfect craft for family movie nite at the library.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks HawaiianLibrarian!