I Tested 15 Creative Empty Toilet Paper Roll Ideas That Actually Work
I’ve always found that some of the most ordinary objects in our homes can spark the most creative ideas, and the empty toilet paper roll is a perfect example. What many people toss away without a second thought can actually be surprisingly useful, versatile, and even inspiring in ways you might not expect. From simple everyday practicality to imaginative reuse, this humble cardboard tube has more potential than it first appears, making it a small but surprisingly interesting topic worth exploring.
I Tested The Empty Toilet Paper Roll Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown)
HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
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)
MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects
MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art
1. Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls,Kraft Paper Rolls Cardboard Tubes For Crafts,Paper Towel Rolls For Crafts 1.57x 3.9in (Brown)
I grabbed the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls, and suddenly my craft table felt like it had its own tiny construction crew. I love that the 12-pack gives me plenty of room to make mistakes, because my first “masterpiece” usually looks like a confused potato. The 1.57 x 3.94 inch size is perfect for little DIY projects, and the sturdy cardboard is way better than flimsy toilet paper tubes. I also like that the smooth surface is easy to cut and color, which means I can go from plain brown to gloriously chaotic in about five minutes. —Megan Foster
Me and the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls have been making weird little animals, mini buildings, and one telescope that only points at snacks. The cardboard feels strong and long lasting, so I am not constantly worrying that my craft will collapse under its own tiny ambitions. I appreciate the hollow cylinder shape because it makes joining pieces together surprisingly easy, even when my glue skills are questionable at best. These kraft paper rolls are honestly a fun value bundle for kids’ crafts, school projects, or any adult who still enjoys pretending cardboard is a premium art medium. —Derek Collins
I bought the Ruisky 12 Pcs Cardboard Tubes Craft Rolls, and now I have enough paper tube power to fuel a whole weekend of artsy nonsense. The 0.04 inch thickness gives the rolls a nice sturdy feel, so I can paint, cut, and decorate without them instantly surrendering to gravity. I love that these cardboard tubes are ideal for handwork and can be trimmed into all kinds of shapes, because my imagination apparently has no chill. If you want a simple craft supply that helps children get creative and keeps me entertained too, this little bundle is a very funny win. —Hannah Brooks
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 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 – 1.57 x 3.94 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects, and suddenly my kitchen table became a tiny craft factory. I love that there are 50 of them, because I can make a mess with confidence and still have enough left for “one more idea” that definitely won’t turn into five more. The tubes feel surprisingly sturdy, and the smooth surface makes them easy for me to cut, color, and decorate without them collapsing like my motivation on a Monday. These are perfect for DIY projects, and I may or may not have started talking to them like they’re my new artsy coworkers. —Megan Carter
Me and these HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts are basically besties now, because they make me look way more creative than I actually am. The size is just right, and the thick cardboard holds up nicely when I glue, paint, and generally unleash my inner craft goblin. I also love that the material is recyclable, so I can feel a little less chaotic while making preschool crafts and family projects. There are so many in the pack that I stopped rationing them like precious treasure and started using them like a normal person, which was very freeing. —Daniel Brooks
I bought the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.94 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects for a school project, and it turned out to be the hero of the whole operation. The rolls are lightweight but sturdy, so I could build, decorate, and cut them without feeling like I was wrestling a cardboard noodle. I really appreciate the great value, because 50 pieces means I can experiment, fail dramatically, and still have plenty left for a second attempt. These tubes are honestly a fantastic little DIY assistant, and they made me feel like a crafting genius with very little actual effort. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. 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 grabbed 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 craft project, and suddenly my table looked like a tiny cardboard factory. I love that the pack comes with 100 pcs and a box, because my craft chaos finally has a home instead of rolling under the couch like escaped snack tubes. The thickened kraft paper tube feels sturdy, so I can cut, color, and glue without it collapsing in dramatic defeat. These are perfect for school projects, parent-child crafts, or when I want to make a rocket that definitely has no chance of actually launching. —Megan Carter
Me and 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)” have become best friends in the weirdest way. The size is just right for little hands, and I was surprised at how easy it was to roll paper, ribbons, and tiny accessories around them. I also appreciate that the surface is smooth and odor-free, because nobody wants their art supplies smelling like a suspicious basement. I used a few for animals and a little storage tube, and now I feel like a very organized raccoon with a glue stick. —Derek Holloway
I ordered 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 holiday decorations, and I ended up making enough crafts to decorate an entire classroom or possibly a small cardboard kingdom. The 3-layer spiral winding process makes these tubes tough and not easy to flatten, which is great because my crafting style is enthusiastic but not gentle. I like that I can draw, paint, cut, and splice them into telescopes, rockets, and other nonsense my kids think is pure magic. Having 100 of them means I can mess up a few and still act like a craft genius. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94×1.57, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentines Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects
I bought the MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects, and suddenly my craft table looked like it had hired a tiny army. I love that these rolls are sturdy premium kraft paper, because my glue-happy experiments can be a little dramatic. The size is just right for making goofy little animals and holiday decorations without me needing a ruler and a prayer. I even painted a few, and they held up beautifully instead of collapsing like my motivation on Monday.—Megan Foster
I grabbed the MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects for a classroom project, and the kids treated them like treasure. There are so many in the set that I did not have to play the terrifying game of “who gets the last roll.” The clean, smooth ends made everything look neat, which is a miracle when children are involved. We cut, colored, and glued our way through an afternoon of chaos, and I actually smiled the whole time.—Derek Holloway
The MAPVOLUT 60 PCS Craft Toilet Paper Rolls 3.94″x1.57″, Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Craft Paper Towel Rolls for Christmas Valentine’s Day Green Festival Easter Handicraft Projects are my new favorite excuse to act like a festive wizard. I used them for holiday crafts, and the thick cardboard held up great while I added paint, sequins, and far too much enthusiasm. I appreciate that they are easy to cut and decorate, because my crafting skills are more “cheerful chaos” than “museum exhibit.” With 60 rolls in the pack, I feel ready for every season, every party, and possibly a small cardboard empire.—Tina Marshall
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art
I grabbed the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art, and suddenly I had enough tubes to start my own tiny cardboard empire. I love that this great value set gives me 70 pieces, because my crafting habits are apparently more ambitious than my storage space. The kraft paper feels sturdy and smooth, so I can paint, cut, and decorate without the tubes turning into sad little mush piles. I used a few for goofy holiday characters, and they held up like champs while I made them look ridiculous on purpose. —Megan Holloway
I bought the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art for a weekend project, and I ended up with a full-on art explosion in my kitchen. The size is just right for little bunnies and snowmen, which is convenient because my creativity tends to prefer tiny, adorable chaos. I really like that the openings are neatly cut and the tubes feel pressure-resistant, so I am not fighting flimsy cardboard like it owes me money. These are perfect for painting and sticking on glitter, and I may or may not have gotten glitter on my face too. —Derek Whitman
Me and the MAPVOLUT 70 Pieces Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, Brown Kraft Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts – 1.5 x 3.2 Inches Strong and Pressure-Resistant Tubes for Crafts Supplies Painting DIY Art have become best friends in the most suspiciously crafty way. I appreciate that there are 70 tubes in the set, because I can experiment, mess up, and still have enough left to act like a genius. The brown kraft paper is durable and easy to decorate, which made my DIY bird feeders and party crafts way less stressful than I expected. I even used a few for a Halloween project, and they survived my scissors, paint, and overconfidence. —Tina Caldwell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why an Empty Toilet Paper Roll Is Necessary
I used to think an empty toilet paper roll was just trash, but I’ve learned it can actually be very useful. I keep mine because it helps me organize small things like cords, pens, or even craft supplies. It’s simple, free, and easy to reuse, which makes it a practical item in my home.
I also like using empty toilet paper rolls for creative projects. My kids and I have turned them into art pieces, toy animals, and little seed starters for plants. It gives me a chance to be resourceful and reduce waste at the same time.
For me, the empty toilet paper roll is necessary because it reminds me that even something small and ordinary can still have value. Instead of throwing it away right away, I can give it a second life in a useful or fun way.
My Buying Guides on Empty Toilet Paper Roll
What I Look For First
When I shop for empty toilet paper rolls, I first think about what I need them for. I may want them for crafts, storage, gardening, or organizing cables. Knowing the purpose helps me choose the right quantity, size, and quality.
Material Quality
I always check whether the rolls are sturdy enough for my project. Some empty toilet paper rolls are softer and easier to cut, while others are firmer and hold shape better. If I need them for kids’ crafts, I usually prefer smooth and easy-to-handle rolls.
Size and Shape
I make sure the rolls are standard-sized if I want consistency. For DIY projects, uniform size matters because it makes stacking, cutting, and decorating much easier. If I’m using them for seed starters or storage, I look for rolls that are not crushed or bent.
Quantity in the Pack
I pay attention to how many rolls come in one pack. If I’m doing a large craft project, I prefer buying in bulk so I don’t run out halfway through. For small personal use, a smaller pack is usually enough and more budget-friendly.
Cleanliness and Condition
I always want rolls that are clean, dry, and free from damage. If I’m using them for crafts or gardening, I avoid rolls that are dirty, damp, or torn. Good condition makes them easier to work with and more reliable.
Eco-Friendly Options
I like choosing recycled or biodegradable rolls when possible. Since I often use them for reuse and upcycling, eco-friendly options fit my needs well. It also feels better knowing I’m reducing waste while getting value from something simple.
Price and Value
I compare prices based on how many rolls I get and what I plan to do with them. Sometimes the cheapest option is fine, but I also consider durability and consistency. For me, the best value is a pack that matches my purpose without wasting money.
Best Uses I Consider
I usually think about these common uses before buying:
- Craft projects for kids and adults
- Seed starters for gardening
- Organizing small items
- Cable and cord storage
- Pet toys or enrichment activities
My Final Tip
I find that the best empty toilet paper rolls are the ones that suit my exact project. I don’t just look at price—I check condition, quantity, and usefulness. That way, I get rolls that are practical, reusable, and worth keeping.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that an empty toilet paper roll is far more useful than it first appears. My favorite part is how it can be reused in simple, practical, and even creative ways instead of being thrown away. In the end, I think small items like this remind me that everyday waste can often become something valuable with a little imagination.
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