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    Home » Crafts and DIY

    Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

    Published: Apr 25, 2020 · Modified: Jun 22, 2021 by Jenn · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    My crafty kids will not let an empty toilet paper roll go in the trash. There’s just too much creative potential there for them I guess! These toilet paper roll binoculars are simple to make and you can use items you already have around the house.

    Let’s learn how to make binoculars from toilet paper rolls!

    Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

    You will need:

    • 2 empty toilet paper rolls
    • yellow cellophane (Use plastic wrap or tissue paper if you don’t have cellophane on hand. You might be surprised where you can find cellophane though! Use goody bags from school gifts or if you’ve purchased fresh flowers lately, use the wrap.
    • a small piece of cardboard 
    • yarn or string
    • black acrylic paint
    • paintbrush
    • scissors
    • white glue
    • duct tape
    • hot glue
    • scissors 
    • a cotton ball
    • a small amount of water

    Directions:

    Paint the two toilet paper rolls with black acrylic paint. Double coat it if needed. If you want to be extra you can paint the small cardboard piece you’ll be using later. Allow the paint to dry.

    Cut two squares from the yellow cellophane. They should be big enough to accommodate the diameter of the toilet paper roll hole. Use tissue paper or plastic wrap if you don’t have any cellophane. You might be surprised where you can find it though! Check some of your box packagings like pasta boxes or donut boxes for the see-through windows.

    Glue the cellophane on one of the ends of each toilet paper roll.

    Cut the unnecessary cellophane. Make sure to leave a very small border around it.

    Cut two pieces of duct tape about 1″ wide and long enough to wrap around the end of the toilet paper roll.

    Tuck the excess cellophane and wrap the duct tape around as lining at the end of both rolls.

    (Optional if you are using cellophane) Soak a cotton ball in water and smear it on the cellophane. This will tighten the cellophane, creating a better view. Let the cellophane dry for 10 to 20 minutes. 

    You can watch it tightening as it dries.

    Cut a small rectangle from the cardboard enough to bridge the two rolls. Measure the distance between your child’s eyes and use this as a reference in gluing the rectangular bridge in the middle of the two rolls.

    Using a pointed object like scissors, make a hole on each side of the binoculars

    Cut the yarn to the desired length. Insert the yarn in the hole and form a knot to secure it

    You can use multiple layers of cellophane to create a fun visual effect. This toilet paper roll craft is a hit with kids of all ages. Enjoy the pretend play! Now that you know how to make binoculars from toilet paper rolls, what will you be? Will you be a safari guide, birdwatcher, spy, military general, or a ship captain, or something I would never even think of?

    If you’re feeling extra crafty and have other items to upcyle, you might also find this homemade fly trap useful.

    Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

    Jenn
    Kids can make a pair of toilet paper roll binoculars using supplies already found at home.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Crafts and DIY
    Servings 1
    Calories

    Equipment

    • paintbrush
    • Scissors
    • Hot glue gun

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 empty toilet paper rolls
    • yellow cellophane use plastic wrap or tissue paper if you don't have cellophane on hand
    • a small piece of cardboard
    • yarn or string
    • black acrylic paint
    • white glue
    • duct tape
    • hot glue
    • a cotton ball
    • a small amount of water

    Instructions
     

    • Paint the two toilet paper rolls with black acrylic paint. Double coat it if needed. If you want to be extra you can paint the small cardboard piece you'll be using later. Allow the paint to dry.
    • Cut two squares from the yellow cellophane. They should be big enough to accommodate the diameter of the toilet paper roll hole. Use tissue paper or plastic wrap if you don't have any cellophane. You might be surprised where you can find it though! Use goody bags from school gifts or if you've purchased fresh flowers lately, use the wrap.
    • Glue the cellophane on one of the ends of each toilet paper roll.
    • Cut the unnecessary cellophane. Make sure to leave a very small border around it.
    • Cut two pieces of duct tape about 1" wide and long enough to wrap around the end of the toilet paper roll.
    • Tuck the excess cellophane and wrap the duct tape around as lining at the end of both rolls.
    • (Optional if you are using cellophane) Soak a cotton ball in water and smear it on the cellophane. This will tighten the cellophane, creating a better view. Let the cellophane dry for 10 to 20 minutes. You can watch it tightening as it dries.
    • Cut a small rectangle from the cardboard enough to bridge the two rolls.
    • Measure the distance between your child's eyes and use this as a reference in gluing the rectangular bridge in the middle of the two rolls.
    • Using a pointed object like scissors, make a hole on each side of the binoculars
    • Cut the yarn to the desired length. Insert the yarn in the hole and form a knot to secure it
    • You can use multiple layers of cellophane to create a fun visual effect. This toilet paper roll craft is a hit with kids of all ages. Enjoy the pretend play! Will you be a safari guide, birdwatcher, spy, military general, or a ship captain?
    Keyword how to make binoculars from toilet paper rolls, kids crafts, toilet paper roll binoculars, toilet paper roll crafts
    Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or share on Pinterest

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    Hi, I'm Jenn, a Southern food blogger and mother living in Alabama. After having my wonderful daughter, I decided to embark on a journey of sharing my Southern cooking recipes with the world.

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