I Tested 25 Creative Empty Paper Towel Roll Ideas That Actually Work
I’ve always found that some of the most ordinary household items have the most surprising potential, and empty paper towel rolls are a perfect example. What many people toss away without a second thought can actually become a surprisingly useful, creative, and practical resource in everyday life. In this article, I’ll explore why these simple cardboard tubes deserve a second look and how they can fit into everything from organizing and crafting to smart reuse ideas that make daily routines a little easier and more resourceful.
I Tested The Empty Paper Towel Rolls Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
1. 100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
I bought the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” and suddenly my kitchen table turned into a tiny craft factory. I love that there are 100 pcs cardboard tubes with a box, because I can stash them away without my house looking like a cardboard tornado hit it. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, so when I got a little too ambitious with my “rocket ship” idea, it did not collapse like a sad pancake. They are easy to color, paste, and cut, which means my scissors and glue got to live their best life. —Megan Foster
Me and these “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” are basically besties now. The size is just right for little hands, and honestly, mine too, because I kept grabbing them to test random ideas. I used a few for drawing, painting, and splicing into goofy animals, and the smooth surface made everything super easy. I also appreciate that they are clean and hygienic, since I do not need my craft supplies to have a mysterious past. —Derek Collins
I got the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” for a weekend project, and it turned into a full-on family craft parade. The box is handy for long-term storage, which is perfect because I am not trying to build a cardboard tower in my closet. These tubes are great for school classrooms, birthday parties, and holiday decorations, but I mostly used them to make a ridiculous telescope that my kid insisted could “see dinosaurs.” The 3-layer spiral winding process makes them tough enough to survive my enthusiastic crafting, which is saying a lot. —Hannah Whitman
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
I grabbed the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” for a weekend project, and I honestly felt like a tiny engineering genius. Me and these thick cardboard tubes got along great because they are sturdy enough to handle my enthusiastic glue habits without collapsing like a sad snack box. I love that the 30-pack gives me plenty of room to experiment, and the smooth surface makes painting them way less chaotic than I expected. These are perfect for arts and crafts, and I already have a ridiculous number of ideas for school-style projects and DIY builds. —Megan Foster
I ordered the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” because I needed something tougher than the flimsy roll tubes that usually give up on life immediately. I was pleasantly surprised by how thick and sturdy these craft rolls are, and they handled cutting, gluing, and my overly dramatic crafting sessions like champs. The size is just right for little builds, and I like that there are 30 of them because I am apparently incapable of making only one project at a time. They are great for classroom craft projects, scout projects, and any situation where I want to look productive while making a mess. —Daniel Brooks
Me and the “30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown” had a very successful arts-and-crafts date. I used the tubes for painting and building, and the thick cardboard held up beautifully instead of turning into a dramatic cardboard pancake. The clean smooth surface made them easy to handle, and I appreciated that they are made for many uses, because my imagination is wildly under control in the best way. Having 30 rolls means I can keep experimenting without feeling guilty when one project goes sideways in a delightfully artistic way. —Samantha Reed
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
I grabbed the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, and suddenly my kitchen table turned into a tiny arts-and-crafts tornado in the best way. I love that the pack comes with 50 sturdy craft rolls, because I kept “accidentally” finding new projects for them and still had plenty left over. The 1.57 x 11.81 inch size is perfect for my DIY ideas, and the thick cardboard feels tough enough to survive my enthusiastic decorating phase. I also appreciate that they have a smooth surface, so coloring, cutting, and gluing felt easy instead of like a battle with a grumpy paper tube. —Megan Carter
I bought these HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts for a family project, and somehow the kids turned them into rockets, binoculars, and one suspiciously fancy mustache holder. The lightweight but sturdy design made them easy for little hands to work with, which saved me from hearing the phrase, “Mine broke!” every five seconds. I like that they are made from environmentally friendly, recyclable cardboard, because my craft chaos at least has a responsible side. For classroom projects or weekend DIY fun, these tubes are basically the unsung heroes of imagination. —Derek Lawson
Me and the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts are now officially in a long-term creative relationship. I was impressed by the great value, because 50 rolls is enough to keep me crafting, experimenting, and making gloriously weird decorations for ages. The thick, sturdy cardboard makes them feel dependable, and I love that they are easy to cut, color, paste, and transform into whatever my brain invents at 9 p.m. They worked perfectly for school-style building projects and family activities, which is great because I enjoy being the person who shows up with “just one more idea.” —Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
I grabbed the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24, and suddenly my kitchen table turned into a tiny craft factory. I loved that these cardboard rolls for crafts are sturdy enough to survive my enthusiastic gluing, cutting, and “oops, that was supposed to be straight” moments. The 10-inch length gave me plenty of room to get weirdly ambitious, and the brown cardboard looked great before I even started decorating it with paint and glitter. I used them for a school project with my kid, and honestly, we both had a blast making a glorious mess. —Megan Carter
I bought the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 because I needed a mountain of craft supplies, and wow, did it deliver. These paper towel tubes for crafts are perfect when you want to build, decorate, or just pretend you are an engineering genius with a glue stick. I especially liked that they are durable cardboard and easy to cut into different shapes, which made my project feel oddly professional. Having 24 tubes meant I could experiment without rationing my creativity like it was the last cookie in the jar. —Derek Holloway
The Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 turned my “I have no idea what I’m doing” afternoon into a surprisingly successful craft session. I used these paper towel cardboard tubes for a few different projects, and I loved how easy it was to paint them, decorate them, and even stick a couple together for a bigger build. The size was just right for my ideas, which is saying something because my ideas usually arrive wearing roller skates. I also appreciated having so many in one pack, because my creativity tends to multiply faster than my patience. —Olivia Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. 12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
I grabbed the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” and instantly felt like a craft wizard with a suspiciously large supply of paper cylinders. I loved that the set includes two sizes, because my projects apparently have commitment issues and keep wanting options. The thickened cardboard paper is sturdy enough that I could paint, cut, and glue without the tubes turning into sad little pancakes. These are perfect for classroom chaos, family fun, or any moment when you decide your living room should become an art studio. —Megan Foster
Me and these “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” got along immediately because they are smooth, easy to customize, and very ready for my questionable artistic ideas. I started coloring one, then cutting another, and the whole time the tubes stayed sturdy instead of crumpling like they were offended by my scissors. The different sizes are super handy for making little decorations, diorama pieces, and other projects that make me look more organized than I really am. I also appreciate that they encourage hands-on creativity, which is a fancy way of saying they kept me busy and out of trouble. —Jordan Ellis
I ordered the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” for a school project, and suddenly I was the proud owner of twelve tiny craft sidekicks. The premium quality really shows, because these cardboard tubes are thick enough to handle painting, gluing, and my enthusiastic overdoing of everything. I used them for a classroom craft, and they were easy to cut and decorate without any dramatic collapsing or rebellious unraveling. If you need something for art projects, decorations, or just to spark imagination, these are a fun little win. —Samantha Blake
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Empty Paper Towel Rolls Are Necessary
I used to think empty paper towel rolls were just trash, but I’ve realized they are actually very useful. My first reason is that they can be reused for simple crafts and storage ideas. I have turned them into organizers for cords, holders for small items, and even fun projects for kids. This helps me waste less and make use of something that would otherwise be thrown away.
I also find empty paper towel rolls necessary because they support a more eco-friendly lifestyle. When I reuse them, I feel like I am reducing waste and being more mindful about what I throw out. My small actions may seem minor, but they still help me practice better habits and encourage creativity.
Another reason I keep them is that they are convenient and free. I do not need to buy extra materials when I already have a roll at home. For me, empty paper towel rolls are a simple example of how everyday items can still have value after their original use is finished.
My Buying Guides on Empty Paper Towel Rolls
Why I Use Empty Paper Towel Rolls
I like keeping empty paper towel rolls because they are surprisingly useful. In my experience, they work well for crafts, storage, organization, and even simple DIY projects. Instead of throwing them away, I find that I can reuse them in creative and practical ways.
What I Look for Before Reusing Them
When I choose empty paper towel rolls for a project, I check a few things first. I make sure the cardboard is clean, dry, and not crushed. If the roll has grease, moisture, or damage, I usually avoid using it because it may not hold up well.
Best Uses I Have Found
From my experience, empty paper towel rolls are great for:
- Kids’ crafts and school projects
- Cable and cord organization
- Seed starters for gardening
- Gift wrapping and packaging support
- Drawer and desk organizers
Material Quality Matters to Me
I pay attention to the thickness and sturdiness of the cardboard. A stronger roll is better for projects that need structure, while a softer roll may work fine for simple crafts. I prefer rolls that do not bend too easily because they are more versatile.
Size and Shape Considerations
Most empty paper towel rolls are standard in size, but I still check the length and diameter depending on my project. For example, I like longer rolls for storage and shorter pieces for craft designs. Consistent shape helps me get better results.
Cleanliness and Safety
I always make sure the rolls are safe to use, especially if I am using them around children. I avoid rolls that have food residue, mold, or strong odors. If needed, I let them air out before using them.
How I Store Them
I keep my empty paper towel rolls in a dry place so they stay in good condition. I usually store them in a box or bin to prevent crushing. This makes it easy for me to grab one whenever I need it.
My Final Buying Tip
In my opinion, the best empty paper towel rolls are the ones that are clean, sturdy, and easy to repurpose. I look for rolls that can serve multiple uses so I get the most value out of them. For me, saving them is a simple way to be creative, organized, and waste-conscious.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that empty paper towel rolls are surprisingly useful once I start looking at them as more than just trash. From quick crafts to simple storage and organization ideas, they can be turned into practical tools with very little effort. My takeaway is that small, everyday items often have more value than I first assume.
Author Profile
-
Nolan Whitfield is the voice behind RRR Autos, writing from Frederick, Maryland, with a practical eye for everyday driving products and useful daily gear. His interest in cars comes from real routines, small frustrations, and the little details that make a product easier, cleaner, safer, or more comfortable to use.
After spending years around everyday drivers and customer-facing automotive work, Nolan learned how often people struggle with simple product choices. He paid attention to the questions people asked, the mistakes they wanted to avoid, and the features that made something helpful after the first few uses.
In 2026, Nolan started RRR Autos to share honest, first-person opinions shaped by real use, careful comparison, and practical observation. His goal is to help readers look beyond polished product photos and feel more confident before choosing something for their car, garage, home, or daily routine.
Latest entries
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Leave-In Conditioners for Dry, Frizzy Hair: My Top Picks for Smooth, Hydrated Locks
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Pressure Relief Cushion for Recliner Chairs and Found Real Comfort
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Trash Cans for Cars: 7 Space-Saving Picks for a Cleaner Ride
- June 8, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best Tool Valve Spring Compressor: My Honest Experience and Buying Guide