The Paper Roll Cat Craft is a fun and creative way to recycle empty toilet paper rolls into something adorable and playful. Instead of tossing those cardboard tubes in the trash, you can turn them into cute little cats with just a few supplies. This craft is simple, kid-friendly, and makes a perfect activity for both home and classroom settings.
Paper Roll Cat Craft
The Paper Roll Cat Craft is a fun and easy way to turn empty toilet paper rolls into cute cat figures. It’s a great creative activity for kids using simple, recycled materials.
Classic Black Cat
This spooky black cat is perfect for Halloween or as a timeless pet-themed decoration. Made with black paint and bright yellow eyes, it’s simple yet striking. Kids can personalize their black cat with different tail shapes or accessories. This classic design is a great introduction to paper roll crafting.
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Use matte black paint for a smooth finish
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Cut sharp ear shapes at the top for a more realistic look
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Add yellow or green googly eyes for contrast
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Make a curled tail from black pipe cleaner
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Draw a tiny fang or bow tie for extra personality
Tabby Cat with Stripes
Inspired by real tabby cats, this craft features hand-drawn or painted stripes on a light-colored base. It’s a great way for kids to learn about animal patterns and get creative with designs. You can use browns, oranges, or grays for different types of tabbies. Let each child invent a name and personality for their tabby!
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Use orange or tan paper/paint as the base
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Draw vertical or swirly stripes with markers or thin brushes
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Add a pink paper nose and soft inner ear colors
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Use yarn whiskers for a cozy look
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Optional: stick on a tiny paper bell collar
Calico Cat
Calico cats are known for their colorful patches, making them a fun theme for this craft. This design encourages kids to explore random patterns and color blocking. No two calico cats look alike, which makes this a great open-ended art activity.
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Start with a white-painted paper roll
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Use blotches of orange, brown, and black paint
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Mix in sponge stamping for texture
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Use black dots for cute, tiny eyes
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Add a tail with patches too, using paper scraps
Rainbow Fantasy Cat
Let imagination run wild with a bright and magical rainbow cat! This fantasy-themed craft is perfect for kids who love colors and mythical creatures. It’s also a great party activity for unicorn or fairy tale themes.
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Paint the roll in rainbow stripes or blend colors
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Use glitter glue or metallic markers for sparkle
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Add silver or gold pipe cleaner whiskers
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Glue on tiny paper wings or stars
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Give it a unicorn-style tail with yarn strands
Sleepy Cat
This cozy cat is curled up and ready for a nap. With droopy eyes and a relaxed expression, it’s great for storytelling or bedtime themes. It’s also fun for learning about animal behavior.
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Fold the top slightly forward to give a slouchy shape
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Draw closed or half-lid sleepy eyes
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Use soft pastel colors for a relaxed look
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Add a curled tail from paper or felt
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Draw a small blanket or use tissue as bedding
Superhero Cat
Turn your paper roll into a brave superhero cat, ready to save the day. Kids can invent their own superhero name and powers for their cat. It’s fun, inspiring, and perfect for themed craft sessions.
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Make a cape from felt or paper and glue to the back
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Create a paper mask and stick it above the eyes
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Use bold colors like red, blue, or purple
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Draw a small logo or letter on its chest
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Use a metallic marker for belt or gadget details
Pirate Cat
A playful cat with an eye patch and pirate hat makes a great themed decoration. This is ideal for storytelling or pirate-themed parties. Let kids come up with pirate cat names like “Captain Whiskers.”
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Paint the roll in classic pirate tones (black, red, brown)
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Make a small paper hat with a skull sticker
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Cut out and glue an eye patch from black paper
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Add a mini tail with stripes or anchors
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Use foil or gold paper for a treasure coin accessory
Space Cat Astronaut
This intergalactic kitty is ready to explore the stars! With a homemade space helmet and cosmic decorations, it’s a great STEM tie-in or space week craft.
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Cover the roll with aluminum foil or silver paper
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Make a helmet from a clear plastic cup or paper ring
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Add stars or planets to the body using stickers
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Use glow-in-the-dark paint for fun effects
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Draw buttons and gadgets on its belly
Princess Cat
Add some royal flair with a pretty princess cat craft. This one’s all about elegance and sparkles, perfect for fancy play themes. Great for preschool girls who love princesses and pets.
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Use pink or lavender paint for the body
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Create a crown from glittery paper or foam
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Add sequins or rhinestones for decoration
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Make a flowing tail with shiny ribbon
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Draw long eyelashes and heart-shaped nose
Sports Fan Cat
Design a cat that’s ready to cheer on your favorite team! This sporty version is fun for game days and teaches kids about team colors.
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Paint the roll in your team’s colors
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Add a tiny paper jersey or scarf
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Glue a small paper ball or bat to the side
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Draw a foam finger or team logo
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Use puffy paint to add texture to the outfit
Fancy Dress Cat
Create a stylish cat in a mini costume! Whether it’s a tuxedo, dress, or outfit, this idea lets kids dress their cat for an occasion. A great way to mix fashion with crafting.
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Use paper cutouts for dresses, ties, or vests
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Paint patterns like polka dots or stripes
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Add buttons made from beads or dots
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Create a hair bow or top hat from felt
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Use lace or doilies for a fancy collar
Wild Jungle Cat
Make a fierce and fun jungle cat inspired by leopards or tigers. This idea brings in animal science and makes learning fun through crafting.
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Use orange or golden yellow paint
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Draw or stamp black spots or stripes
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Add pointy ears and intense eyes
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Make a curved tail with a furry texture
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Use green paper leaves to create a jungle scene
Winter Cat with Scarf
This chilly kitty is bundled up for winter fun! Ideal for holiday crafts or cold-weather themes, it adds seasonal charm to your craft corner.
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Use cool tones like blue, white, or gray
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Cut a mini scarf from felt or yarn
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Add a paper snowflake to the body
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Draw rosy cheeks for a winter blush
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Create a hat or earmuffs using pom-poms
Party Cat
This festive cat is ready to celebrate! Great for birthdays or classroom parties, it’s colorful, cheerful, and totally customizable.
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Use confetti or dot stickers all over the roll
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Make a cone-shaped party hat
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Draw a big smile or open mouth
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Add a tiny gift box made from scrap paper
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Glue a balloon on using a string and paper
Cat Family Set
Instead of one, make an entire family of cats with different sizes and styles. This helps kids think in sets and storytelling, like family roles or pet care.
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Use paper towel rolls for parent cats and toilet rolls for kittens
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Paint each one in a different color or theme
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Add mini bows, glasses, or hats for personalities
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Display together on a cardboard base
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Name each cat and write a short story about the family
Crafting Tips
Crafting with kids should be fun, safe, and stress-free. These simple tips will help make your Paper Roll Cat Craft session smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re working with a group or one-on-one, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping kids engaged and successful.
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Pre-cut small pieces for younger kids so they don’t struggle with scissors and can focus on decorating.
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Use tape instead of glue if you’re short on time or want to avoid waiting for things to dry.
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Let kids choose the color and style of their cat to encourage creativity and give them ownership of the project.
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Use it as a puppet or desk buddy after crafting—kids love showing off their creations and giving them names.
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Keep craft materials organized in small containers or trays to avoid mess and make clean-up easier.
FAQ
What age group is this craft suitable for?
The Paper Roll Cat Craft is great for kids aged 4 and up. Younger kids may need help with cutting and gluing, while older children can get more creative with decorating.
Can I use something other than a toilet paper roll?
Yes! You can also use cardboard tubes from paper towels (cut down to size), wrapping paper rolls, or even craft-specific cardboard tubes.
What if I don’t have paint at home?
You can wrap the paper roll with colored construction paper, scrapbook paper, or even decorate it with markers or crayons instead of paint.
How do I make the cat stand up properly?
Make sure the bottom of the paper roll is cut evenly. You can also glue it onto a small cardboard base for extra stability.

Hi, I’m Victoria, an art and craft teacher at Newark City Schools, where I have the joy of working with middle school students to help them explore their creativity and develop their artistic talents. I believe that art is a powerful way for students to express themselves, and I strive to make every lesson a fun, engaging, and inspiring experience.
I created this website to share the art and craft projects, techniques, and resources that I use in my classroom, hoping to inspire both educators and young artists alike. Whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas or a student eager to try something new, I’m excited to provide creative tools and projects that anyone can enjoy.
When I’m not in the classroom, I love experimenting with different art forms and learning new crafting techniques. My goal is to help others discover the joy of making things with their hands, and I hope my website serves as a space for everyone to explore their creative potential.