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.