These simple cardboard roll bracelets make a fun and easy craft for toddlers and preschoolers. All you need are some cardboard rolls, paint and a few craft gems and jewels.
You may also like our cardboard roll and tinfoil/gem napkin rings.
These cardboard roll bracelets were so quick and easy to make that we did them as a last-minute craft before the toddlers and preschoolers in my daycare went home the other day. They’re very similar to or cardboard roll and duct tape bracelets and anklets.
We love crafting with cardboard rolls, but our stash is getting out of hand. The other day, I was wondering what we could make with them. Knowing how much the kids love to make homemade jewellery that they can wear, I decided on these simple cuff bracelets.
The children really enjoyed the process, and they couldn’t wait to wear their bracelets.
Note: For those of you who would rather not craft with toilet rolls, paper towel tubes and wrapping paper tubes are excellent substitutes.
Want an even easier, no-mess cardboard roll bracelet? Try this version made with duct tape and paper towel rolls.
Supplies:
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- cardboard rolls (kitchen rolls, toilet rolls or wrapping paper rolls)
- scissors
- school glue
- craft gems and jewels
Making your cardboard roll cuff bracelet:
I called the Hooligans over, and I gave them some scissors.
Cut
I gave each of them a half of a cardboard tube, and instructed them to cut through one side of it. They love cutting, so they were more than happy to oblige.
One hooligans sliced right through in the toilet roll in one stroke, while another child took 8 little snips to get through his. So determined he was.
Paint
A quick coat of paint was given to the toilet rolls, and I quickly dried them with the hairdryer so we’d be able to finish our bracelets before home time.
Glue
Once dry, the children decorated them with glue and craft gems and sequins.
They left them here over-night to dry. And they tested them out today. They were so proud to be wearing a piece of jewelry they’d made themselves. 
Aren’t they snazzy? And how easy was that?
Even the simplest of crafts give children an opportunity to express their creativity and explore new materials and textures.
Skill development:
Offering your child a pair of scissors to make that one snip, and sorting through a container of craft jewels helps to develop fine motor.
Selecting a paint colour, and figuring out which gem to place where are all ways in which a child develops his decision making skills, and gains confidence in his abilities to make choices for himself.
Never under-estimate the benefits that even a quick and easy, last-minute craft can provide!
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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.
pegges
great idea!
Debbye Parker-Kinman
Adorable! Thank you for inspiration as always!
Marie Dobbs Brasseit
So cute! You did it again! 🙂
Tasmia
I tried these and they are not sturdy enough. they fall off. Great decoration idea though, love it!
happyhooligans
Hmmm, maybe some rolls are sturdier than others, Tasmia?
Dawnadaidone@gmail.com
You are so creative, I love your post, thanks for sharing!
Lucy serrano
Great idea!!!! Thanks!!
Dorothy Breitenstein
You could cover the tube with a decorative duck tape that might give it more stability and then coordinate the embellishments.
Yvonne
If they aren’t sturdy enough you could try glueing one roll inside the other. Going to try this one. Maybe cover in some fabric but cutting in 1/2 inch or 1 cm intervals along the long edge and fold under as the item is curved.
Tanya
Using a hole punch we put a hole each side of back then joined the cuff with silver or gold wrapping string, kept it on their wrists and looked pretty