Toilet Paper Roll Octopus

Looking for a quick and colorful craft to keep little hands busy? This toilet paper roll octopus is the perfect ocean-themed activity for kids! It’s low-mess, budget-friendly, and a great way to reuse those cardboard tubes you have lying around.

Whether you’re diving into an under-the-sea unit or just want a playful project for a rainy afternoon, this octopus craft is sure to bring big smiles. If you don’t already have these supplies at home, you can likely find them at your local dollar store.

Two colorful toilet paper roll octopus crafts in pink and orange with googly eyes and curled tentacles.

Want even more ocean-themed fun? I’ve got you covered! I created a free Shark Art & Craft Pack filled with easy, screen-free activities the kids will love. It’s a great way to keep the creativity flowing long after your felt shark is complete.

Collage of four kid-friendly shark crafts made from printable templates, including a pop-up shark mouth, a 3D paper shark, and a hand-colored cartoon shark.

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🐙 Why You’ll Love This Craft

Uses recycled materials – perfect for eco-conscious crafting.
Great for fine motor skills – all that cutting, rolling, and gluing helps little hands grow stronger.
Customizable – paint it any color and add fun expressions!
Quick and easy – ideal for short attention spans or last-minute fun.

Disclosure: Some of the links in the post below are affiliate links provided for your convenience. This means that if you purchase something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no added cost to you.

Supplies:

Toilet Paper Roll.
Colorful Paint.
Paintbrushes.
Pencil.
Ruler.
Scissors.
Markers.
Craft Paper.
Glue.

Pink and orange toilet paper roll octopuses side by side with curled legs and googly eyes

GOT MORE TOILET PAPER ROLLS TO USE?

Instructions:

Step 1:

Grab a toilet paper roll to make your craft with. Use a paint of your choice to cover the entire toilet paper roll.

Toilet paper roll fully painted orange, ready to become an octopus

Step 2:

Cur cut equal slits on the halfway through the toilet paper. You can use a ruler or measuring tape to measure your toilet paper roll’s diameter to help you cut equal slits.

Toilet paper roll painted orange with slits cut to form octopus legs

Step 3:

Spread the slits outwards.

Step 4:

Roll the ends of the slits to curl them up.

Toilet paper roll with curled legs starting to take octopus shape

Step 5:

Paint the swirls using the same paint.

Orange painted toilet paper roll with all legs curled outwards

Step 6:

Glue two googly eyes on the top part of the toilet paper roll.

Toilet paper roll octopus with googly eyes glued on

Step 7:

Use a marker pen to draw the octopus’s mouth

Octopus craft with pink paper cheeks added under the eyes

Step 8:

Glue two pink circular papers on the two sides of the mouth.

Octopus face completed with a drawn smile and added cheeks

Step 9:

Cut out a deeper shade of orange circular cut outs.

Small circular orange paper dots ready to decorate the octopus

Step 10:

Glue them on the octopus.

Finished toilet paper roll octopus decorated with dots and a smile

FAQs

What age group is this craft suitable for?

This craft is great for preschoolers through early elementary-aged kids (approximately ages 3–8). Younger kids may need some help with cutting and gluing, but it’s a fun and manageable activity for a wide range of ages.

Can I use something other than toilet paper rolls?

Yes! You can substitute a paper towel roll cut in half or even use a cardstock tube rolled into a cylinder and taped or glued together.

What kind of paint works best?

Acrylic craft paint gives great coverage and dries quickly, but washable tempera paint is a good option for younger kids and easier cleanup. You can also use markers or crayons if you prefer a no-mess alternative.

Do I have to use googly eyes?

Not at all! You can draw on eyes with a marker or cut them out of paper. Let the kids get creative with their octopus’s face!

How do I keep the octopus stable so it doesn’t roll around?

Spreading and curling the legs (the slits) helps it balance better. You can also gently press the base flat or add a small bit of modeling clay inside the bottom for weight.

Can I turn this into a learning activity?

Absolutely! Pair it with a lesson about ocean animals, read a book about octopuses, or talk about recycling and reusing materials. It’s a great way to combine play and learning.

Angled view of pink and orange toilet roll octopuses on white background

Isn’t it amazing what you can create with something as simple as a toilet paper roll? This octopus craft is such a fun way to encourage creativity while teaching kids about ocean animals.

If you give this project a try, I’d love to see your version—share a photo and tag me on social! And don’t forget to check out my other easy crafts for kids for even more fun ideas.

LOOKING FOR MORE FUN KIDS’ CRAFTS?

Crafting with kids just got more fun! Pin this adorable toilet paper roll octopus so you’ve always got a go-to idea for ocean-themed lessons, rainy days, or summer boredom busters.

Want even more ocean-themed fun? I’ve got you covered! I created a free Shark Art & Craft Pack filled with easy, screen-free activities the kids will love. It’s a great way to keep the creativity flowing long after your felt shark is complete.