Need a star for the top of your Christmas tree? Have your kids make our dazzling Cardboard Roll Christmas Tree Topper with a paper towel roll, tin foil and Sharpies. It’s an easy project for kids of all ages, and the results are truly spectacular. What a thrill to top your tree with a vibrant shimmering star, hand-crafted by your child.
Supplies Needed: paper towel roll, cardboard, aluminum foil, Sharpie markers, green paint, sequins.
See more terrific star ornaments here.
We’ve made dozens of Christmas tree decorations over the years, and they’ve all been pretty amazing, but today’s cardboard roll Christmas star tree topper blows all the others away.
Just LOOK AT IT!!
Would you ever believe something this beautiful was made with a few kitchen cupboard supplies?
It’s just cardboard, tin foil and Sharpies, but It shimmers, it glimmers, and it’s downright gorgeous.
Who needs a store-bought tree topper a when your kids can make one this pretty?!
You may also like these Sharpie and tin foil crafts.
Supplies:
For your conviencience, this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- paper towel roll
- aluminum foil
- cardboard
- scissors
- pencil
- Sharpie markers
- green paint
- craft varnish (optiona)
- sequins and/or gems
- white glue
- glue gun
Instructions – Shimmering Star Cardboard Roll Christmas Tree Topper:
HAVE QUESTIONS? See the FAQ section at the bottom of this post.
Time needed: 1 hour
How to Make a Cardboard Roll Christmas Tree Topper
- Paint and varnish the paper towel roll
Paint your paper towel roll with green paint so it will blend in with your Christmas tree.
Let it dry and then give it a coat of craft varnish (optional) to add strength and sheen. - Cut out cardboard pieces
Grab sturdy cardboard box (Amazon boxes are perfect).
Draw and cut out your cardboard circle.
Note: our circle is 9″ inches across for our 7.5 foot tall tree. Adjust the size to suit your tree.
Draw and cut out a cardboard star that’s slightly smaller than your circle.
**Photo below of measurements of our finished star.
- Wrap the circle with foil
Lay the cardboard on a piece of foil that’s a few inches larger than the circle.
Press/crush the excess foil to the side of the cardboard that’s facing you.
You can tape or glue the excess in place, but we found it wasn’t necessary. (see photo in step 7 for reference)
Flip the circle over and smooth out the edges and front. - Cover star with foil
Spread a thin layer of glue on one side of the cardboard star.
Lay it on a fresh piece of aluminum foil and rub firmly to stick it to the foil.
Turn it over and smooth out any wrinkles.
With scissors, trim along the edges of the star to remove excess foil. - Glue together
Glue the back of the star to the front of the circle.
- Decorate
Decorate the front of your tree topper.
We went with a simple Sharpie border around the inside edge of the star, and bands of colour all around the outside edge. Then we glued sequins all over the front of the star. - Attach paper towel roll
Glue the painted paper towel roll to the back of the circle with a hot glue gun.
And now, my friends, your dazzling homemade tree topper star is ready to place on top of your Christmas tree!
Put your star on your tree!
Simply slide the cardboard tube over the top branch of your Christmas tree. Stand back and be amazed at the beauty of this simple, shimmering creation.
Storing the Tree Topper when Christmas is Over
To avoid tearing your foil tree topper when packing and storing, wrap it in several layers of tissue paper and place in a plastic bag.
Aluminum foil has a shiny side and a matte side, but it doesn’t matter which side faces out.
Personally, we prefer colouring on the matte side. Test on a scrap of foil first to see which side you prefer colouring on.
A paper towel roll that hasn’t been bent or torn should be sturdy enough for this project. Remember the paint, once dry, will add a bit of strength.
A coat of craft varnish over the paint will make your paper towel roll extremely sturdy and durable.
If you don’t have a paper towel roll, you can glue two painted toilet paper towel rolls close together on the back of the cardboard circle.
No, but giving your paper towel roll a coat of varnish will make it extra sturdy.
To prevent the tinfoil from tearing when packing your tree topper away, wrap it in a few layers of tissue paper and place it in a plastic grocery bag for storing. If you don’t have tissue paper, pad the tree topper with crumpled grocery bags and place it inside another grocery bag.
You may also like these Sharpies and tin foil ornaments!
- Sharpie and Tinfoil “Stained Glass” Christmas Trees
- Tin Foil and Tissue Paper Ornaments
- Tin Foil Christmas Tree Ornaments for Kids to Make
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
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