As we step into the Year of the Snake in 2025, why not celebrate with a simple and fun craft? This DIY toilet roll tube snake is the perfect activity for kids of all ages. It’s eco-friendly, promotes creativity, and is a wonderful way to learn about the zodiac while crafting something adorable.
Why This is a Great Craft for Kids
- Encourages Creativity: Kids get to assemble and decorate their snake however they like, sparking their imagination.
- Eco-Friendly: Repurposing toilet roll tubes is a fantastic way to teach children about recycling and sustainability.
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, linking, and glueing the pieces helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Cultural Learning: It’s an excellent opportunity to talk about the significance of the Year of the Snake and its place in the Chinese zodiac.
Supplies Needed
- Empty toilet paper rolls (about 4–6 tubes, depending on the length of your snake)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Coloured markers or paints (for decorating)
- Red paper (for the tongue)
- Green or yellow paper (optional for eyes)
- Googly Eyes )optional)
How to Make a DIY Toilet Roll Tube Snake
Step 1: Prepare the Tubes
1. Collect your toilet roll tubes. Is you are using paper towel rolls you will need less and can get 6 to 8 sections or joints from one or even better a wrapping paper roll or cardboard tube will make a whole cardboard tube snake!
2. Cut each tube into three equal sections. You’ll end up with several small rings.
Step 2: Create the Links
1. Take every second or third ring and cut it once to open it.
2. Use these cut pieces to link the other rings by alternating whole rings and cut rings to form a chain.
Step 3: Assemble the Snake Body
1. Slip a cut ring through a whole ring and glue the ends together using a glue stick.
2. Repeat this process, alternating between whole and cut rings, until you’ve created the desired length for your snake. This way you create moveable snakes.
Step 4: Add the Head and Tail
1. For the head, glue a triangular piece of cardboard or paper to one end of the snake. Foe the tail but a long V using the cardboard tube.
2. Add eyes (drawn, cut from colored paper or even googley eyes) and then the snake’s tongue – you can you red paper or even ribbon for this. Kist make sure to add a V for the forked tongue that snakes have.
Step 5: Decorate Your Snake
• Use markers, paints, or stickers to decorate your snake’s body with patterns, spots, or stripes. Black, red and yellow are lucky colours for the Year of the Snake.
Tips for Success
• Use a sturdy glue stick to ensure the links stay secure. for older children, they can use a hot glue gun.
• Encourage kids to experiment with colors and patterns for a unique snake.
• If you want a shiny snake, use metallic paints or glitter glue for decoration.
Why Celebrate the Year of the Snake?
In the Chinese zodiac, the Snake symbolizes wisdom, intuition, and transformation. Creating a snake craft is a wonderful way to engage kids in the cultural significance of the Lunar New Year while embracing creativity and fun.
This DIY toilet roll tube snake is not only easy and affordable but also a meaningful way to celebrate the Year of the Snake in 2025. Whether as a classroom activity, a fun family craft, or part of a New Year’s celebration, it’s sure to be a hit!
Let us know how your snake turns out in the comments below, and share your creations on social media—don’t forget to tag us! 🐍✨
Great way to use all those discarded toilet rolls, kids love it and they love snakes. Just goes to show you don’t always need fancy toys to entertain the little ones. Keep the tips coming.