I love using toilet paper rolls for crafts, it’s one thing that the vast majority of households have on hand at any given time. I love the 3D aspect of these pop out flowers and the fine motor work it demands for coloring the petals. It can also be used to teach patterns- or simply art done any way they choose! Toddlers can get in on the action by dipping the cut rolls into plates of paint instead of coloring the petals one by one! You may notice my son is absent, he was outside enjoying the sun and making houses for worms.
- Gather your materials. You will need 2-3 toilet paper rolls, a piece of heavier paper ( construction paper or card stock), some markers or paint, scissors and glue.Â
- Start by cutting your rolls into smaller pieces.
- Cut vertically into the roll and fan it out to make petals.
- Color the petals with markers, or paint.
This takes patience , which makes this a great group project hand a group of kids a small number of flowers and have them each make the number they wish , so it’s not overwhelming.
- Add glue and place the flowers on your paper- ours is pink and looks great in person but is washed out in the pictures.
- Pop on the paper and let dry. We let it dry for 4-5 hours before moving it.
Books to pair with Pop Out Flowers

Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes is a lovely book about having confidence, losing confidence and regaining it in the end. Chrysanthemum is a little mouse who loves her name until she goes to school and is picked on for it being out of the ordinary. Who can’t relate to this? I know I can. Thankfully my son has yet to experience this all too common, but still so heartbreaking experience . I love that I have a book like this to share with him and open up about it before it happens. Ultimately Chrysanthemum learns to love her name again and regains the confidence she once had. Another fantastic book from a consistently wonderful author.
The Boy Who Grew Flowers by Jennifer Wojtowicz is one of those books that stays with you. Rink is a little boy whose family is strange, Rink is no exception, with every full moon he sprouts flowers , from his head. At school he is an outsider and only when a new girl comes to school does he make a friend. He reaches out to her because she too is an outsider, not at school, in her own family. In the end the kindred spirits celebrate their uniqueness. This odd romantic story will warm your heart and serves as a great lesson about how we all feel different and like an outsider sometimes. The illustrations by Steve Adams will stun you, they were so vibrant and paired so perfectly with the story. Wonderful!
Jo says
Adorable as usual! So creative! After the baby is down for a nap, we’ll be doing this! THINK SPRING!
Trisha says
I am always grateful for ideas that use paper towel and toilet paper holders. On the Frugal Family Fun blog they made similar flowers–but much bigger–with an oatmeal container.
Tonya says
Very Creative! We are definitely going to do this one!
.-= Tonya´s last blog ..Guji Guji =-.
Courtney says
Very cute!!! Just not the same without little cutie’s face seriously working on the project, though. :<}
Melodie says
We’re going to do this today. Thanks (again!) for the craft idea.
.-= Melodie´s last blog ..Nachos and Guacamole =-.
Amber says
I love these flowers. And I always love a way to use something I would otherwise just recycle. 🙂
.-= Amber´s last blog ..My Shampoo-Free Experiment =-.
Amanda says
love this idea! thank you! 🙂
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Canvas Painting with friends! =-.
Nikki says
Totally jealous that you have un-frozen ground 😉 . After this last foot of snow melts my boys will love finding worms. In the meantime, thankyou for continuing the crafts. My 20m/o and 3.5y/o both loved the tree bud project last week 🙂 .
admin says
Trisha- I saw those flowers on Frugal Family Fun Blog last week after I made these.
I thought they were so clever as well- I linked them ( the post may not have gone up yet, I pre posted/ and scheduled a whole weeks worth of posts for both blogs since i am away this week) on my familyeducation.com blog.
Yes just checked it’s going up Friday 😉
Adventure Mom Janna says
I love using “trash” to create! My daughter has so many “unconventional” toys.
I heard about your new ebook from Impress Your Kids! I’ll have to get that when my girl is a little older.
Take care!
.-= Adventure Mom Janna´s last blog ..Praying for Children to Have Godly Friends and Role Models =-.
Trisha says
Aren’t you nice to respond to my comment! I think it would be fun to have a whole mess of flowers of different sizes. I haven’t been able to think of any items to make an in between size. I wonder if applesauce or yogurt containers would work? Have a great trip next week!
admin says
Yogurt would be cool with older kids but possibly pretty sharp with younger ones.
The Katies says
We plan to feature these in an upcoming post on spring crafts. We’ll credit and link as usual. Great idea! Have been enjoying our ABC craft book too! Working on the review tomorrow☺
Katie, also from Katie’s Nesting Spot
.-= The Katies´s last blog ..Show and Tell #3 =-.
admin says
Thanks Katie!
Jessie says
This would be great to make as fireworks for the 4th of July!
Allison McDonald says
I am SO going to make them ( with full credit for your brilliance! ) !
Dorothy Cown says
I like what you did with toilet paper rolls.