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Fun DIY Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft For Toddlers and Preschoolers

ByKate Tekurio

Are you looking for a fun, hands-on activity that combines creativity, recycling, and learning? This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is the perfect ocean-themed project for toddlers and preschoolers.

With a few simple supplies and a splash of color, kids can make their very own paper octopus friend while exploring their artistic side. Not only does this activity spark imagination, but it also supports fine motor skills, color recognition, and creativity.

Whether you’re planning a summer craft day, a beach-themed lesson, or just want to reuse those empty toilet paper rolls, this project is a hit.

This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is not just a quick craft; it’s a memorable experience that can be revisited time and time again. Toddlers and preschoolers love crafts that allow them to cut, paint, and personalize, and this fun DIY project ticks all the boxes.

The charm of an Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft lies in its simplicity, flexibility, and the endless possibilities it offers for creativity. It’s also a great way to engage children in discussions about marine life, recycling, and imaginative play.

Crafting with kids is always more enjoyable when the project is simple, engaging, and mess-friendly. This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft checks all those boxes and more. From painting to gluing and shaping the legs, little hands get to practice important skills in a playful way. Plus, it fits beautifully into Ocean Crafts, Animal Crafts, and even Kindergarten Art Lessons.

It’s also a great option if you’re compiling a collection of Toilet Paper Roll Crafts Under The Sea or want to pair it with other Diy Ocean-themed Crafts For Kids like Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid, Paper Jellyfish Craft for Kids, and Paper Plate Fish Craft for Kids. is always more enjoyable when the project is simple, engaging, and mess-friendly.

This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft checks all those boxes and more. From painting to gluing and shaping the legs, little hands get to practice important skills in a playful way. Plus, it fits beautifully into Ocean Crafts, Animal Crafts, and even Kindergarten Art Lessons. It’s also a great option if you’re compiling a collection of Toilet Paper Roll Crafts Under The Sea or want to pair it with other Diy Ocean-themed Crafts For Kids like Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid, Paper Jellyfish Craft for Kids, and Paper Plate Fish Craft for Kids.

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Colorful octopus toilet paper roll crafts made by toddlers and preschoolers using recycled toilet rolls, googly eyes, non-toxic paint, and paper plates. Perfect for ocean crafts for kids, DIY art projects, and toilet paper roll crafts under the sea. Ideal for summer crafts and preschool activities.

Supplies You’ll Need:

  • Toilet paper rolls (one per octopus)
  • Googly eyes
  • Non-toxic paint (purple, green, turquoise)
  • Paint brush
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Paper plates
  • Black marker
Craft supplies for Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft for kids, including empty toilet paper rolls, non-toxic paint in purple, green, and turquoise, googly eyes, scissors, glue, paintbrush, paper plates, and a black marker. Perfect for preschool ocean crafts and under the sea DIY art projects.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Set Up Your Workspace

Start by laying out paper plates to protect your table. These also double as drying stations for painted rolls. Prepping your workspace makes cleanup a breeze, especially when working with preschoolers and toddlers.

2. Painting the Toilet Paper Rolls

Choose from fun ocean-inspired colors like purple, blue, green, or turquoise. Use a paintbrush to fully coat the outside of each toilet paper roll. Encourage your child to cover the roll evenly. Place it on the paper plate to dry completely, this may take about an hour. This step is perfect to introduce the idea of Ocean Animals Recycled Materials.

3. Adding the Googly Eyes

Once the paint is fully dry, it’s time to bring your octopus to life. Glue two googly eyes near the top edge of the toilet paper roll. Press gently to secure them. Watching the octopus come alive is always a favorite moment for kids!

A child attaches googly eyes to a turquoise-painted toilet paper roll as part of the Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft. This fun DIY ocean-themed craft for toddlers and preschoolers uses recycled toilet paper rolls, paint, and googly eyes to create adorable sea creatures perfect for summer crafts and kindergarten art lessons.

4. Creating the Legs

Use scissors to cut slits around the bottom half of the painted roll. Each slit should be spaced ½ to 1 inch apart and go about halfway up the roll. These slits will become your octopus’s legs. For younger kids, parents should assist with cutting.

Step 4 of the Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft shows a child cutting slits into the bottom of a painted turquoise toilet paper roll to create legs for the octopus. This fun kids craft step helps shape the octopus's tentacles, supporting fine motor skills and creativity.

5. Drawing the Mouth

Grab your black marker and draw a happy smile, a surprised “O,” or any facial expression you like. Let your child’s creativity shine, this step personalizes each Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft!

A child drawing a smiley face with a black marker on a turquoise-painted toilet paper roll with googly eyes, part of a fun DIY Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft for toddlers and preschoolers. This step adds personality to the recycled octopus craft and supports fine motor skills in early learners.

6. Shaping the Legs

Wrap each leg around the black marker or your finger, then release it to give the legs a curled, realistic ocean effect. It adds texture and brings the Paper Octopus to life.

Child shaping the legs of a turquoise Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft by curling the cut strips using a black marker. This step brings the paper octopus to life with realistic tentacle curls. The octopus has googly eyes and is part of a fun ocean-themed recycled craft activity for toddlers and preschoolers.

7. Final Touches

Adjust the legs as needed. Make sure the eyes are stuck on securely and the mouth is where you want it. Add extra dots or lines on the legs for extra flair.

8. Display Time!

Once everything is dry and secure, find a fun place to display your octopus! Line up several in different colors for a DIY underwater scene.

Finished Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft for toddlers and preschoolers displayed in a group. Each paper roll is painted in ocean-inspired colors like purple, green, and turquoise, with curled legs, googly eyes, and a cute drawn mouth. Perfect for Ocean Crafts for Kids, Summer Crafts, and Under the Sea themes.

Why This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft Is Great for Preschoolers

This Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is more than just a fun activity. It also enhances fine motor skills through painting, cutting, and gluing. It introduces young children to the concept of Recycled Crafts Ocean Theme while supporting creativity through color choices and expression. Plus, it’s a great alternative to screen time and can be tied into lessons about marine life, making it ideal for Ocean Crafts For Kids or Kindergarten Art Lessons.

If you’re building out a summer unit, this is a perfect project to include with other Summer Crafts, Animal Crafts, and Kids Crafts. It also works well in homeschooling, daycare centers, and preschool classrooms.

More Ideas to Expand the Fun

Pair this Toilet Paper Roll Octopus with:

  • A fun story about ocean animals
  • A video about octopuses
  • An aquarium visit
  • A sensory bin with ocean-themed toys and water beads
  • DIY sea creature songs and dances

This kind of integrated learning experience makes your Octopus Art Project more memorable and educational.

Combine with Other Ocean-Themed Crafts

If your child enjoyed this Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft, here are more ocean crafts to try next:

And if you’re planning a themed week, don’t forget Toilet Roll Sea Creature ideas like the Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid Craft, Toilet Roll Fish, and even a whimsical Unicorn Toilet Paper Roll as a magical sea creature.

Educational Benefits of Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft

This project is perfect for teaching:

  • Recycling and reusing everyday materials (like toilet paper rolls)
  • Fine motor skill development (cutting, shaping)
  • Creativity and decision-making (color, face design)
  • Vocabulary (ocean, tentacles, sea creatures)

You can even tie in books like Commotion in the Ocean or Mister Seahorse to reinforce the learning. It’s more than just a craft, it’s a whole learning experience.

Tips for Success

  • Use washable, non-toxic paints to ensure safe crafting.
  • Let your toddler lead—there’s no wrong way to make an octopus!
  • Pre-cut legs for toddlers who may struggle with scissors.
  • Allow for ample drying time between steps.
  • Encourage kids to create an entire Under the Sea collection!

Add It to Your Summer Craft List

Planning out a summer of DIY Art Projects? This project should definitely be on your list. It fits well in the Crafts For Boys and Girls 2-5, Childrens Crafts, and Baby Artwork categories. The bright colors and silly legs are always a favorite, and they look great displayed on windowsills or as part of an undersea mural.

From ocean learning units to birthday party stations, the Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is a flexible, fun, and educational project every parent and teacher should have on hand. It’s also a wonderful addition to Toilet Paper Roll Crafts that include Mermaid Toilet Roll Holder, Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid, and other sea-themed characters.

So grab your supplies and start crafting! Whether it’s your first time or your fifth, every octopus turns out unique, and that’s the best part.

Ready to build your own sea creature collection? Start with this craft, and then try adding:

  • Toilet Paper Roll Fish
  • Mermaid Crafts Preschool Ideas
  • Unicorn Toilet Paper Roll as a fantasy sea creature
  • Ocean Animals Recycled Materials Activities for Earth Day

The sea is the limit!

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Final Thoughts

The Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is more than just a fun afternoon activity—it’s a hands-on opportunity to teach toddlers and preschoolers about creativity, recycling, and the wonders of the ocean.

When you incorporate this easy and engaging project into your craft time, you give kids the chance to express themselves while building essential skills. From choosing bright colors to shaping the tentacles, every step in the Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is designed to delight and educate.

Whether you’re teaching at home or in a classroom, the Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is a go-to project for parents and educators who want meaningful, mess-friendly, and imaginative DIY fun. Add it to your list of Toilet Paper Roll Crafts Under The Sea or pair it with other underwater-themed activities to create a complete unit of engaging lessons.

Don’t forget, each Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is a unique creation that kids can proudly show off, display, or give as a gift. Dive into the fun today and see what your little ones come up with!

Check out more handprint craft ideas:

Enjoy making these other crafts for toddlers:

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