Yule Log Favor Boxes

Here's a fun recycled project- not such a "toy," but a great Christmas gift idea made from your favorite recycled product, a TP roll (or they were suggesting a paper towel roll). Thank you Team Martha! Here's where you can find instructions for the Yule log favor box.

Recycled pillow box favors from Skip to my Lou

You have to check out this totally cute tp roll idea! http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/08/31/recycled-pillow-box-favors/

TP Castle

Skills Required: scissor skills and creativity (medieval architecture skills would help, too...)
Time Required: 15 minutes, plus painting

Materials:
A bunch of Toilet paper rolls, Paper towel rolls, and any other paper cylinder you can find.
a scrap or chipboard (cereal box, etc.)
Scissors
Tape or hot glue

Instructions:
1. Cut the tops of each roll with castle tower-top design. I did ten slits and then cut off every other square.
2. Paint the Castle your desired colors (I did this after assembly, and it was really difficult to paint in the corners)
3. Arrange the rolls like a castle. I had a hard time with this at first, but then I just thought, if it were my castle, I'd want high walls all around with several higher towers as well. So, I just put mine mostly in a circle, then put some small ones resting above and to the side of others. Do it however you like, though! Leave a gap in the middle front for the drawbridge.
4. Cut a piece of chipboard to be about the height of your walls. Cut out doors in the front center.
5. Tape or hot glue it all together. Hot glue would be more sturdy, but Tape was our choice so that the kids could help.
6. Play! of course, my Daughter was way better at decorating the castle than me! (and I promise she's never seen the Monty python where they launch livestock off the towers!)

TP roll binoculars

Time needed: 5 minutes
Skills needed: cutting and taping
Materials needed:

• 2 toilet paper rolls or 1 paper towel holder cut in 2.
• scissors
• tape
• yarn/string

We first saw these cute, easy binoculars at our church nursery. The kids love looking through them and they are SUPER easy! Tape together 2 TP rolls of the same size.
Cut a piece of yarn or string to about 18 inches or 2 feet. Tape it on opposite sides of the rolls.

Measure the length of the rolls on the paper of your choice and cut off enough that it will wrap around it. (11 or 12 inches is plenty)
Tape on the paper down on the inside so it won't slide off.
Then tape it on the outside.
Enjoy exploring!