Toilet Paper Roll Color Sort: A Simple and Fun Color Activity for Toddlers

A No-Prep, No-Stress Toddler Activity

Some activities require a craft store run, precise instructions, and more patience than any parent has at 4 PM. This is not one of those activities. This is an easy, toddler-friendly, low-prep sorting activity that turns toilet paper rolls into a fun, hands-on way to learn about colors.

Part of my Random Household Objects series, this activity is proof that learning doesn’t need to be complicated. We’re taking something that would normally hit the recycling bin and turning it into a simple yet engaging kids learning activity. So, grab those empty toilet paper rolls, a handful of craft sticks, and let’s get sorting!

What You’ll Need

• 6 empty toilet paper rolls
• Construction paper (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
• Colored craft sticks (matching the paper colors)
• A plastic bin or tray
• Tape or glue

How to Set Up the Toilet Paper Roll Color Sort

1. Wrap the Toilet Paper Rolls – Cover each toilet paper roll with a different color of construction paper and secure with tape or glue.
2. Fill a Bin with Craft Sticks – Toss in craft sticks in all six colors.
3. Stand Up the Rolls – Arrange the covered toilet paper rolls in the bin or on the table so they’re ready for sorting.
4. Start Sorting! – Let your child match the craft sticks to the correct colored roll, dropping them in as they go.

That’s it. Less than five minutes of prep for an activity that will actually hold their attention (at least for a little while).

Why This Activity Works So Well

1. Color Recognition

Sorting activities like this help toddlers make visual connections between colors. Instead of just pointing to colors in books or on toys, they get to actively engage with them, reinforcing learning in a hands-on way.

2. Fine Motor Skill Development

Picking up craft sticks, gripping them, and sliding them into the toilet paper rolls? That’s a fine motor workout in disguise. These small hand movements strengthen finger muscles needed for writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.

3. Independent Play & Focus

This is the kind of activity that allows you to sip your coffee while your child plays. It’s simple enough for them to do on their own but engaging enough to keep them busy for a while—exactly what every parent needs in their day.

Ways to Expand the Activity

Want to keep the fun going? Here are a few ways to mix it up:

• Add Tongs or Tweezers – Have your child use kid-friendly tongs to pick up and sort the craft sticks for an extra fine motor challenge.
• Try Different Sorting Materials – Instead of craft sticks, use pom-poms, buttons, or LEGO bricks for sorting.
• Turn It into a Race – Set a timer and see how fast they can sort all the colors. Then, challenge them to beat their own time!
• Practice Counting – As they drop craft sticks into the rolls, have them count each one aloud for an added number-learning bonus.

More Activities Using a Paper Towel Roll 

If you’re on a roll (see what I did there?), don’t stop now. There are plenty of activities using a paper towel roll and activities using a toilet paper roll that turn recycling into fun. Here are a few more ideas:

1. Paper Towel Roll Name Sort: Write your child’s name on a cardboard box and attach wooden skewers above each letter. Write the letters of their name on pieces of cut paper towel rolls and match them to the correct skewer.
2. Drop Tubes: Tape paper towel and toilet paper rolls at different heights on a wall and let your child drop small balls like pompoms through the tubes, experimenting with gravity and motion.
3. Tube Ball Balance: Stand various paper towel and toilet paper rolls upright and challenge your child to balance ball pit balls on top, enhancing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
4. Toilet Paper Roll Straw Threading: Punch holes along a toilet paper roll and let your child thread cut straws through, a fun way to improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
5. Paper Towel Roll Letter Matching: Write letters on a paper towel roll and create matching letter stickers for your child to pair with the roll, reinforcing letter recognition and matching skills.

Each of these activities will turn a simple paper towel roll or toilet paper roll into a fun and educational tool, using materials you likely already have at home!or toilet paper roll into a fun and educational tool, using materials you likely already have at home!

The Magic of Using Household Objects for Learning

The best toddler activities don’t require a shopping list. They come from looking around your house and asking, What can I do with this? This color sorting activity proves that sometimes, the simplest ideas are the most effective.

So before you toss those toilet paper rolls, think twice. Because with a little creativity (and a pile of craft sticks), they just might become your child’s favorite new learning tool. And if your little one loves this? Stay tuned—there are four more activities in this series coming soon!

Colored Craft Sticks

Construction Paper