6 Fun and Educational Activities with Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls

Turning Everyday Items into Learning Tools

If you’re looking for fun, engaging activities that both entertain and teach, paper towel and toilet paper rolls are an easy way to make learning come alive. These activities are simple to set up, require minimal materials, and can be easily tailored to your kids’ age and abilities. Plus, they help you make the most of household items you already have on hand, which is always a win!

Continuing My New Activity Series: Learning with Everyday Household Items – Part 5: Paper Towel and Toilet Paper Rolls

Welcome to the fifth part of my activity series, where I transform everyday household items into fun and educational play tools! This time, we’re turning our attention to paper towel and toilet paper rolls. These simple, often overlooked items are surprisingly versatile when it comes to engaging your child in educational activities. From letter and color sorting to building balance and improving fine motor skills, these rolls can easily become interactive learning tools. Plus, they require minimal supplies and setup, making them a perfect option for quick, hands-on learning at home. Let’s explore these creative ideas that will transform your everyday paper rolls into powerful educational tools!

1. Paper Towel Roll Name Sort

Help your little one practice letter recognition and fine motor skills with this fun name sorting activity! Start by writing your child’s name in large letters on the top of a cardboard box. Poke wooden skewers or craft sticks above each letter. Then, cut toilet paper or paper towel rolls into 1-inch pieces and write each letter of their name on several of the pieces. Your child will match each letter piece to the skewer above the corresponding letter, reinforcing their name while practicing sorting and matching.

Learn more here: Paper Towel Roll Name Sort

2. Toilet Paper Roll Color Sort

A great way to introduce color recognition and sorting, this activity is as fun as it is educational. Cover six toilet paper rolls with construction paper (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple). Fill a plastic bin with colored craft sticks, then stand the toilet paper rolls upright. Your child will love sorting the craft sticks into the matching colored rolls. You can even make it a little more challenging by using different shades of each color!

Full directions here: Toilet Paper Roll Color Sort

3. Drop Tubes

Perfect for promoting curiosity and experimentation, this activity gives your child a chance to explore cause and effect in a hands-on way. Tape a variety of paper towel and toilet paper rolls to a wall or a large surface using painter’s tape. Set them at various heights to create different drop zones. Then, provide a plastic bin filled with pompoms or small balls. Your child can drop the balls through the tubes, learning about gravity and observing how the height of the tube changes the way the balls drop.

Find all the details here: Drop Tubes

4. Tube Ball Balance

This activity is a fun way to work on balance and coordination. Stand up a variety of paper towel and toilet paper rolls on a table or flat surface, and then challenge your child to balance ball pit balls on top of each roll. The goal is for your little one to carefully place each ball on top without it rolling off. It’s a fun way to practice patience and focus, while also building fine motor skills!

Explore this activity here: Tube Ball Balance

5. Toilet Paper Roll Straw Threading

Great for developing hand-eye coordination, this activity takes a simple toilet paper roll and turns it into a threading challenge! Use a single hole punch to create several holes in the roll, and cut plastic straws into halves or thirds. Your child can thread the straws through the holes, practicing fine motor control while improving dexterity. It’s simple to set up and can be made easier or more difficult depending on your child’s skill level.

Get the details here: Toilet Paper Roll Straw Threading

6. Paper Towel Roll Letter Matching

Turn a simple paper towel roll into an interactive letter matching game! Write letters of the alphabet on the roll using a black permanent marker, then write matching letters on dot stickers. Your child can match the stickers to the corresponding letters on the roll, building their letter recognition and cognitive skills in a fun, hands-on way. This activity is especially great for your preschoolers who are just starting to recognize letters and their sounds.

Get the full instruction here: Paper Towel Roll Letter Matching

Repurpose, Play, and Learn: The Power of Paper Rolls

These activities are a fun and easy way to repurpose paper towel and toilet paper rolls into educational tools. Whether it’s working on letter recognition, color sorting, or motor skills, these activities are a great way to keep your kids engaged and learning while giving new life to everyday items. Give them a try, and watch your little ones enjoy learning while they play!

Black Permanent Markers

Dot Stickers

Ball Pit Balls

Single Hole Punch

Bendy Straws

Painter’s Tape

Colored Craft Sticks

Pom-poms

Wooden Skewer

Construction Paper