Pumpkins are a classic fall image and good for any fall decorating. I wanted to try to find a quick and easy way to create a pumpkin for my fall decor and Thanksgiving table.
Say hello to the Toilet Paper Tube Pumpkin. In order to keep it lazy, we’re using simple craft materials.
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Toilet Paper Tube Pumpkin Supplies
Note: I found everything I needed at Dollar Tree for less than $6!
- Toilet Paper Tube (used with all paper removed)
- Orange Construction Paper
- Glue or Mod Podge
- Scissors
- Pencil (or other writing utensil)
- Bow or ribbon (optional)
Cut Strips
First, cut a piece of construction paper that will cover our toilet paper tube. Being the lazy crafter that I am, I didn’t measure. I just rolled a piece of paper around the tube and marked it with a pencil and then cut it.
Next, cut strips of orange construction paper. The beauty of this project is that the strips do not need to be uniform. You don’t need to measure or be precise. I used a paper cutter, but scissors will work just fine. My strips ended up being around 1 inch wide (some wider, some thinner.) You want at least 8 strips of orange construction paper. I actually used 16 for my pumpkin.
Last, trace the toilet paper tube end onto construction paper. You will need two circles. Once traced, cut them a little bit wider than the circle you traced.
These will cover the ends of our toilet paper tubes. Because the tubes are so thin, the pieces need to be a bit wider in order to stick.
Cover the Tube
First, cover the toilet paper tube with construction paper.
Put glue all over the paper.
Roll the paper around the tube. Put extra glue at the end to seal it.
Next, put glue on one end of the toilet paper tube.
Glue the circle onto the end of the tube. Repeat for the other side.
Glue Strips (Method #1)
Now it is time to glue the strips onto the tube.
I glued 2 strips at a time gluing them across from each other.
Then I flipped the tube over to glue the top ends.
I tried to evenly space the strips as I went, first gluing 2 strips opposite each other on one end, then flipping the tube and gluing them on the other end.
I did this method for all 8 strips.
This can be your finished pumpkin. I decided I wanted my pumpkin to be a little fuller.
Glue Strips (Method #2)
I cut 8 more strips.
This time, instead of flipping the tube each set of strips, I glued all 8 strips, making sure to glue them in sets of 2 opposite each other. Then flipped it and glued all the other ends to the tube.
This method worked just as well as the first method. The key is making sure you evenly space the strips so they line up at the top end.
You can top your pumpkin in many different ways.
A green ribbon bow.
A messy scrap bow.
Another possibility is to roll a piece of brown construction paper to form a stem. Then use green curling ribbon to brighten it up.
The possibilities are endless. You could even use different colors. Maybe even glitter paper. Keep in mind that if you used heavier paper, you might consider using a glue gun because regular school glue will not hold cardstock to your toilet paper tube.
Are you making a Toilet Paper Tube Pumpkins for Thanksgiving? If so, please share a photo of it with me by emailing me at hello@lazycrafting.com.
Happy (lazy) crafting!
Want to remember this? Post this Toilet Paper Tube Pumpkin to your favorite Pinterest board!
