You can make a cute little lion using a toilet paper roll, a bit of paper, glue, and some basic cutting skills. It’s a quick, fun way for kids to reuse stuff you probably already have at home. This craft shows you how to turn a cardboard tube into a friendly toilet paper roll lion—complete with a printable mane, glued-on face, and a tail—in just a few easy steps.
First, grab your supplies and clear a little space to work. That way, you can cut, color, and glue without making a mess.
This post walks you through what you’ll need and gives you a step-by-step guide. The project stays simple and fun for all ages.
Essential Materials and Preparation
Gather a few basics and clear your workspace before diving in. Choose bright yellows and oranges, find a sturdy empty tube, and grab a printable head template to make cutting and gluing go faster.
Recommended Craft Supplies
Pick up these supplies to make your lion sturdy and fun to play with.
- Toilet paper roll (empty)
- Yellow and orange construction paper or felt
- Glue stick and liquid craft glue
- Scissors (child-safe if kids are helping)
- Markers or crayons for the face
- Optional: googly eyes, raffia or yarn for mane texture, small pom-pom for tail tip
Use the glue stick for quick holds. Liquid glue works better for stronger joins, like attaching the mane.
If you want a textured mane, try yarn or raffia instead of paper. Double-sided tape is handy if you don’t want to wait for glue to dry.
Put some scrap paper under your project to keep the table clean.
Choosing the Right Toilet Paper Roll
Look for a tube that isn’t crushed and stands about 4 inches tall. Standard household toilet paper rolls usually work best.
If your tube is a little squished, just roll it gently between your hands to round it out. Want a taller lion? Combine two tubes or trim a paper towel roll to size.
Make sure the tube is clean and dry—wet cardboard just falls apart when you add glue. For extra sturdiness, wrap the tube in an extra layer of cardstock glued smoothly around it.
Free Lion Craft Template and Printables
A printed template makes cutting easier and helps kids get even faces and paws. Search for lion head and paw templates sized for a 4-inch tube.
Print them on regular paper and trace onto construction paper, or print straight onto light cardstock for stronger pieces.
Most templates give you a mane circle, a face, ears, and paws. If you want something simple, just draw a circular mane about 4–5 inches wide and a face about 2–3 inches across.
Keep scissors and glue close to your printed template. That way, you can cut and stick pieces quickly while kids stay interested.
If you like, look for example templates and step-by-step photos online. They make things easier if you want a little extra help.
Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Toilet Roll Lion
You’ll cut, glue, and put together simple paper pieces to make a mane, a head, a wrapped body, and a tail with a folded tip. Grab your colored cardstock, scissors, glue, and a cardboard toilet roll.
Making the Lion’s Mane and Face
Cut a circle out of cardstock about 4–5 inches wide for the mane. Mark slits around the edge, then cut them toward the center so the mane looks spiky.
If you want a fuller mane, glue two circles together before cutting. For the face, cut a smaller circle that fits inside the mane.
Draw or glue on eyes, a nose, and a mouth. A black marker works for simple features, or you can use craft eyes and a pom-pom for the nose.
Color or add texture to the mane with crayons, paint, or torn tissue paper glued around the edge. Glue the face to the center of the mane but leave the top edge loose so you can bend it a bit later when you attach it.
Attaching the Head and Mane
Flatten one end of the toilet roll a little to make a flat top for the head. This helps the head stay put.
Wrap a small strip of cardstock around the flattened end to create a neck if you want the join to look more finished. Put glue on the back of the face and press it so the mane flares around the top of the roll.
Hold it until the glue sets. If the glue is slow to dry, tape it inside the roll for extra hold.
Cut tabs on the back of the mane if you want, then bend them under the roll and glue or tape them inside. This keeps the mane snug and avoids gaps between the head and the body.
Creating the Body and Paws
Cut a rectangle of cardstock to wrap around the middle of the toilet roll. Tape or glue it so the roll looks smooth.
Add a rounded belly by gluing a semicircle near the bottom front. For paws, cut four small rectangles and round one end of each.
Fold a short tab on the straight end and glue the tabs to the inside bottom edge of the roll so the paws stick out a bit. Draw toes with a marker or glue on tiny paper claws.
Decorate the body with spots, stripes, or maybe even a name tag. If you want the lion to stand up, press the paws flat or glue a cardboard base inside the paws.
Adding the Tail and Finishing Details
Cut a thin strip of cardstock, about 4–6 inches long, for the tail. Make small cuts to fringe one end, then glue on a tuft of yarn or a bit of paper fringe.
Fold a little tab at the other end and stick it to the back lower edge of the roll. Want to add some personality? Glue on whiskers with thread, sketch some eyebrows for a bit of expression, or maybe attach a tiny bow.
Give all the glued spots a quick check. If anything feels loose, just add a bit of tape. Let the lion dry all the way before you start playing with it.
Looking for more ideas or step-by-step photos? You can find a printable pattern for a toilet paper roll lion at Simple Everyday Mom’s lion craft page (lion template and instructions). There’s also a cute paper roll lion example over at Big Family Blessings.
