Paper Roll Castle

Feb 24, 201320,534 views

Crafts

by TurkeyMom in Crafts

Ages3–7 yrs

Prep20 min

Activity1 hr

Leveleasy

MessMedium

Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

Paint toilet paper and kitchen rolls, top them with paper cones and arrange them on a cardboard tray to build a castle with doors, windows and trees. Then add a few princesses and play pretend.

⚠️ Safety first

Use only an empty, rinsed Lysol (or other cleaning product) container. Adult checks that no disinfectant residue is left before kids handle it.
An adult cuts the cardboard rolls to shorter heights. Cardboard tubes are hard for small hands to cut safely.
Small princess figurines are a choking hazard for children under 3. Supervise younger siblings during play.
Use washable kids' paint and supervise painting.

Before the kids arrive

Collect TP rolls, kitchen rolls, an empty Lysol container and a big cardboard tray or box lid for each castle.
Empty and rinse the Lysol container.

Steps

Paint the TP rolls, kitchen rolls and Lysol container, then let them dry.
Plan your castle layout on the cardboard base. An adult cuts a few rolls shorter to create symmetry and structure.
Trace a circle on construction paper for each pillar's top. Make it at least 2 times the TP roll's diameter, then cut it out.
Cut into the circle from the edge to the center, overlap it into a cone and secure it with tape.
Glue the tops to the pillars and let them dry.
Put the pillars together on the base and build your castle.
Cut doors and windows from construction paper and draw lines on them, then stick them on the towers.
Add a few construction paper trees and bushes to create a scenery.
Add a few princesses and create your play scene.

Tips

Can you believe that list? You probably have it all at home already.from the author
You might have to cut a few rolls to create symmetry and structure.from the author
The circle for each castle top has to be at least 2 times the TP roll's diameter.from the author
Did you notice my Lysol can? An empty container makes a great big central tower.from the author
Playing with it afterward is the best part of any activity!from the author
Plan for drying time. One reader had to wait for the painted tubes to dry before finishing, so a group may need two sessions.from readers

Make it your own

Build a farm with a silo instead of a castle.
Build a space shuttle from the rolls.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · February 2013

My 4 year old loves building, crafting and playing pretend with princesses. This activity combines all of the three.

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What readers say

💬 4 comments ✍️ 1 answered by the author

🎉 Worked for us

Parent and daughter making it together

A reader made the castle with her daughter right away, pausing while the painted tubes dried before finishing it.

“Making this right now with my daughter, just waiting for the tubes to dry so we can finish it.”
Jessica, Mar 2013

✨ Readers' twist

Try a farm silo or space shuttle

A reader saw other builds in the same idea: a farm with a silo or a space shuttle, with kids adding their own touches.

“I started reading and my mind went to a farm with a silo- a space shuttle...”
Jane Henson, Apr 2014

Read all 4 comments

Jane Henson · Apr 2014

I started reading and my mind went to a farm with a silo- a space shuttle... I love the castle and everything it brought out in my brain- Kids crafts are the best- they get to add their touches and make them great!
Jessica · Mar 2013

Making this right now with my daughter, just waiting for the tubes to dry so we can finish it. Thanks for the lovely idea!
TurkeyMomAuthor · Mar 2013 · replying to Jessica

I'm glad you and your daughter liked the idea. Thanks for sharing :)

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