Cardboard Tube Mermaid

Simply mer-mazing! Seas the day with an upcycled mermaid craft for kids.

Ages: 8 and up, Tween and up, 6 and up

Craft Box Girls

Supplies/Tools Directions Staff Tips

Create It Yourself

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! ...

Step 1

Cut paper towel roll into thirds.
Step 2

To create scales, sketch scalloped pattern across construction paper approximately 2” from bottom of paper.
Step 3

Sketch mermaid tail on construction paper.
Step 4

Outline and add details to scales and tail with metallic marker. Cut out.
Step 5

Glue scales around bottom of paper towel roll.
Step 6

Glue tail to back of paper towel roll.
Step 7

Sketch 2 small seashells and thin strip on construction paper. Cut out.
Step 8

Glue thin strip around paper towel roll approximately 1/2" above scales.
Step 9

Glue seashells next to each other on top of thin strip.
Step 10

Trace bottom circle of paper towel roll on construction paper. Cut out.
Step 11

Sketch and cut out construction paper strip with scalloped edge approximately 1/2"H x 5”W.
Step 12

Sketch and cut out 8 construction paper strips approximately 2.5”H x 1/4"W.
Step 13

Glue scalloped paper strip around top of paper towel roll. Position with scalloped edge-down to create bangs.
Step 14

Wrap thin paper strips around pencil to curl.
Step 15

Fold 6 thin paper strips over top rim of paper towel roll to create hair. Glue to secure.
Step 16

Glue 2 thin paper strips to circle. Glue circle to top of paper towel to complete hair. Let all glue steps dry 1–2 hours.
Step 17

Add face and seashell details with fine line markers.
Step 18

Make a splash with one mermaid or create a school of mermaids!