top of page

Toilet Paper Roll Crab

All art projects & crafts require adult supervision. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy.


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.

Dive into the world of marine wonders with our latest craft adventure: the Toilet Paper Roll Crab! This delightful and easy-to-make project will have your kids buzzing with creativity as they transform a simple toilet paper roll into an adorable crustacean companion.


Embracing the use of recycled materials, such as toilet paper rolls, in crafting is a source of inspiration for various compelling reasons. Foremost among them is the promotion of environmental awareness, as it involves repurposing materials that might otherwise contribute to landfills. This eco-friendly approach imparts valuable lessons to kids about sustainability and the importance of reducing waste, instilling a sense of resourcefulness.


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.

Displaying our completed Toilet Paper Crab Craft further exemplifies the beauty of crafting with recycled items. Beyond the environmental impact, working with these materials encourages innovation, challenging us to envision and transform ordinary objects into extraordinary pieces of art. It instills a sense of creativity in children, urging them to think outside the box and find beauty in unexpected places. Some of my cherished creations, like the Toilet Paper Roll Bumble Bee or the Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly, hold a special place in my heart.


Lastly, repurposing materials like toilet paper rolls provides a budget-friendly alternative, making arts and crafts accessible to a wider audience. Whether crafting playful characters such as our Toilet Paper Roll Vampire or transforming them into desert cactus, the joy of using recycled items in crafting lies in the harmonious blend of creativity, sustainability, and affordability.


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.

Materials Needed:

  • Toilet paper rolls

  • Red & Orange paint

  • Paintbrush or sponge

  • Googly eyes

  • Red Pipe Cleaners

  • Glue

  • Scissors


How to cut TP Roll Crab craft.

Step 1: Cut Hearts Out of Toilet Paper Roll

To create the hearts, flatten a toilet paper roll in half. Draw half of a heart shape along the fold and cut it out. Unfold the cutout to reveal a complete heart shape, which will serve as the crab's claws.


How to paint TP Roll Crab craft.

Step 2: Paint The Toilet Paper Rolls

Paint the toilet paper roll and hearts red. To add depth, use a sponge to lightly apply orange paint over the red. Let the paint dry.


Optional Step: For an added touch of detail, you can lightly dab black paint around the edges of the heart-shaped claws and the tips of the TP roll. This extra definition can give your crab craft a more polished and realistic appearance, making it even more special.


How to assemble TP Roll Crab craft.

Step 3: Make The Legs

Crabs usually have eight legs, but in this craft, we're only making four legs. Take two pipe cleaners and twist them together at the center.


How to assemble TP Roll Crab craft.

Using a hot glue gun, glue the twisted center to the bottom of the crab. For each leg, apply a small amount of glue to the end of the toilet paper roll and attach a leg. Bend the legs as shown in the example and trim any excess pipe cleaner.


Hot Glue Disclaimer: This step involves using a hot glue gun, which can cause burns and injuries if not handled properly. Only an adult should perform this step. Kids should never use a hot glue gun. Always supervise children closely when using any type of glue, and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.


How to assemble TP Roll Crab craft.

Step 4: Eyes

Cut a pipe cleaner down to about 3 or 4 inches and fold it into a "U" shape. Glue eyes to the two tips of the pipe cleaner and then glue the bottom of the "U" shape to the top of the crab.


How to assemble TP Roll Crab craft.

Step 5: Cut Pipe Cleaner In Half & Glue

Cut a red pipe cleaner in half. Glue one end to a heart and the other end to the center hole at the top of the toilet paper roll, on both sides.


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.

The TP Roll Crab is now complete and ready for hours of play! With its colorful painted body, heart-shaped claws, and quirky pipe cleaner legs and eyes, this fun craft is perfect for sparking your child's imagination. Whether they want to create under-the-sea adventures, put on a crab puppet show, or simply enjoy their new crab friend, this recycled art project will provide endless entertainment. Let the ocean-themed playtime begin!


Recycled art projects are incredibly awesome because they turn everyday items into creative masterpieces! Not only do they encourage kids to reuse and repurpose materials, but they also spark imagination and innovative thinking. By using items like toilet paper rolls and coffee filters, children can craft unique and environmentally friendly works of art. For example, the TP Roll Bee and the coffee filter butterflies are just a couple of the fun and inventive crafts you can try. These projects promote sustainability and creativity, showing that with a little imagination, even the simplest materials can transform into something extraordinary!


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.

Get ready to learn interesting facts about crabs! These amazing creatures are known for their quirky movements and unique features. Whether you're a crab enthusiast or just curious to learn more, these five crazy fun facts about crabs will surprise and delight you. From their sideways scuttling to their colorful shells, crabs are full of fascinating traits that make them one of the most interesting creatures in the ocean. So, let's pinch our way through these fun facts and discover what makes crabs so special!


  • Sidewalk Speedsters: Crabs are known for walking sideways, which makes them super speedy on the sand! They move so quickly that it can be hard to keep up with them on the beach.

  • Claws for Days: Crabs have powerful claws called chelae that they use for a variety of tasks like catching food, defending themselves, and even communicating with other crabs.

  • Color Chameleons: Crabs come in many different colors, from bright red and orange to blue, green, and even purple! Some crabs can change their colors to blend in with their surroundings and stay safe from predators.

  • Ocean Clean-Up Crew: Crabs play an important role in keeping the ocean clean. They are scavengers, which means they eat all kinds of things, including dead fish and other sea creatures, helping to keep the ocean floor tidy.

  • Mighty Mini Crabs: While there are giant crabs that can weigh as much as a small child, some crabs are tiny! The pea crab, for instance, is only a few millimeters long and can even live inside mussel or oyster shells!


Two crabs on a beach.

The shark cootie catcher is a fantastic complement to the toilet paper roll crab craft! This ocean-themed duo creates an exciting and interactive experience for kids, sparking their imaginations and allowing them to dive into a world of underwater adventures. As they craft the shark cootie catcher, children can explore the life of one of the ocean's most fascinating predators.


Shark Cootie Catcher

Combining the shark cootie catcher with the playful crab craft offers a great opportunity for kids to stage their own marine storylines and bring their ocean characters to life. This pairing makes for a fun and educational crafting session that both kids and parents will enjoy!


Completed TP Roll Crab Craft.



bottom of page