If your kids love all things space and “out of this world” activities, they’re going to love this fun and simple Toilet Paper Roll Satellite Craft. It’s such a fun way to upcycle items in your home, too!
My kids have always loved anything dealing with space and the sky. They love to gaze up at the stars, talk about the different phases of the moon, and look up at the clouds during the day and try to make animals and shapes out of them. Since their interest is piqued about this topic, I thought this was the perfect transition to make this DIY satellite craft.
Before jumping into this craft, we talked about what a satellite is and what its purpose is as well. The kids were excited to hear that during different times of the year, satellites that are up in orbit are actually visible to us here on Earth! I love combining fun facts with fun learning crafts!
Here is a simple Toilet Paper Roll Satellite Craft that the kids can easily create on their own. Your early learners and even older-aged kids will have a fun time creating this creative DIY outer space craft that they can showcase and talk about to family and friends.
How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Satellite Craft
Supplies:
- Free toilet paper roll satellite craft template
- Cardboard toilet paper roll
- Pencil/Pen
- Scissors
- Glue
- Colored construction papers
Instructions to Make this Toilet Paper Roll Satellite Craft:
1. Start by cutting a piece of the colored paper to cover the toilet paper roll. This can be any color of your child’s choosing. Then trace the top (or bottom) of the roll on the same paper and cut out that circle that you just traced.
Next, cut out a strip the size of about 6 cm x 2 cm and then roll up the strip. Put a little glue under the end and hold it down until it sticks. Then apply glue to the center of the circle you just cut out and place the small cylinder you made on top. Allow the glue to dry completely.
2. Print the free toilet paper roll satellite craft template and cut out all the template patterns. Trace the patterns onto any of the colored construction papers. Feel free to let your child choose his or her favorite colors, or you can stick to the metallic colors you would expect to find on a satellite. You can change up the colors for the various patterns and squares.
Use scissors to cut out all the traced template patterns.
3. Glue the square panel cutouts on the base of the panel in 2 rows. Repeat for the other panel.
4. Take the smaller sections of the panel base and fold about a centimeter. Add glue to the folded portion and glue the panels on both sides of the toilet paper roll.
Apply glue around the top rim of the toilet paper roll. Place the circle cutout you created in step #1 on top of the toilet paper roll and allow the glue to dry.
5. Grab the dish cone template. Bring one cut end of the disc over to the other in a cone shape and glue to secure.
6. Apply a small amount of glue to the antenna and glue it to the center of the one.
Put the dish cone on the top of the closed side of the toilet paper roll. If you are using this satellite craft for display purposes only, then you can simply leave it as is. If your child wants to use it for pretend play, I suggest gluing the cone receiver to the top of the toilet paper roll so it doesn’t come off during play.
You finished the cardboard tube satellite craft! If your child wants to, he or she can decorate the body of the satellite with markers, stickers, and other embellishments.
If you’re looking for more fun space crafts, be certain to check out these 21 Space Activities for Kids! There are so many other great crafts and activities here for the kids to be able to create.
Take the time to talk to the kids about space and all the planets and constellations. This is an easy craft that has a ton of potential to be a fun learning opportunity as well!
If you’re looking for a craft that can combine learning and fun, this simple DIY toilet paper roll satellite craft is it! It’s one of the best ways to have the kids use their hands and their listening ears at the same time.
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