T.P. Tube Nutcracker

T.P. Tube Nutcracker
Overview:

Nutcrackers are a traditional piece of Christmas decor that are too beautiful to be used to crack open walnuts! We'll show you how to make easy, recycled versions of these ornate wooden dolls, using T.P. tubes and other things from around your home!

You will need:
  1. T.P. tube
  2. Printed nutcracker template (downloadable below)
  3. Plain paper (optional)
  4. Glue stick or tape
  5. Crayons. colored pencils, or markers
  6. Other decor items (ie. feathers, buttons, sequins, googly eyes, etc. - totally optional)
  7. Tacky or hot glue (necessary if using optional decor items)
Rating:
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Supervision:
1 adult per 10 children
Difficulty:
Easy peasy (fun and simple)
Age:
Preschool, School-age, Tweens
Mess Factor:
Dustpan, please
Prep Time:
5 - 10 minutes
Time Length:
5 - 15 minutes
Step 1:

To begin, simply download our nutcracker template at the bottom of this page. Use crayons, markers, or colored pencils to design your nutcracker! If you prefer, you can make your own nutcracker by cutting a 6 1/4" long by 4 1/2" tall rectangular piece of paper. Draw your own face and body on the rectangle.

Step 2:

Color your favorite template and cut it out! (Adult supervision please!)

Step 3:

Using a glue stick, on the back side of the template (the uncolored side), place a line of glue on one of the vertical edges.

Step 4:

Now stick the glue side of the template to your T.P. tube, and begin rolling the tube in the template. If you like you can add a bit of glue on the horizontal edges as you roll, it's up to you. As you get close to the remaining vertical edge add another line of glue.

Step 5:

Finish rolling the tube within the paper so that it's completely covered.

Step 6:

Press down on the edge to make sure the paper is completely flat and totally sealed.

Step 7:

Your nutcracker is complete! If you wish, you can continue to decorate him by gluing on feathers, rhinestones, or other bits of decor! Use regular glue, or a hot glue gun (adults only) for embellishing.

Craft Tips:

Embellishments can be anything from bottle caps to beads, use your imagination - use yarn to make hair, or lace for the hat, add a blunt toothpick for a sword.

Craft Variations:

Check out my small army of nutcrackers!

PDF Download:
Craft - nutcrackers copy.pdf
Materials:
  1. T.P. tube
  2. Printed nutcracker template (downloadable below)
  3. Plain paper (optional)
  4. Glue stick or tape
  5. Crayons. colored pencils, or markers
  6. Other decor items (ie. feathers, buttons, sequins, googly eyes, etc. - totally optional)
  7. Tacky or hot glue (necessary if using optional decor items)

Sophie's Tip of the Week

Family parties are wonderful for very young children - but best to wait until they are 5 or 6 years old for their first large birthday party.