How to Make Cardboard Tube Farm Animals

Why toss that toilet paper tube in the recycling bin when you can make an adorable farm animal out of it? For Amanda Formaro of Crafts By Amanda, this is just the kind of project that's a win-win -- it not only reduces waste, but the farm animals brighten any shelf and add something cute and fun to your décor. Her blog features countless craft projects you can make with the kids, including these adorable little farm animals! We loved her little pig, but you can make the chicken, horse, or duck too!

Supplies:

• Cardboard tube, cut to about 2"
• Acrylic paint: pink and darker pink
• Pink button
• 2 pink chenille stems
• 1 skinny pink chenille stem
• Scissors
• White craft glue or glue gun
• Black Sharpie marker

Degree of difficulty: Intermediate

Ages: 5 and up

Instructions: Paint the cardboard tube inside and out with pink paint and set aside to dry. Glue the pink button to the cardboard tube for the nose.

From both regular pink chenille stems, first cut off 1 1/2" from each. Set the small pieces aside and cut the longer pieces in half. Wrap each of the long halves around the handle end of a small paintbrush to make a coiled leg.

Cut the skinny chenille stem in half, coil one half around the handle end of a paintbrush to create the curly tail.

Take the remaining two small pieces and bend them into thirds. Fold one third of the chenille over the side of the cardboard tube to create the ear, and glue in place. Voila! Instant adorable piglet!

Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She has been working online and from home since 1997. A former webmaster turned blogger, she is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also the editor for the Home & Garden channel at Craft Gossip. Amanda blogs about her craft projects on Crafts by Amanda and can also be found at AmandaFormaro.com. Visit her blog for the full pig tutorial and others like it. You can also follow her on Facebook,Twitter, or Pinterest.

Photos used with permission from Amanda Formaro.

For more earth-friendly crafts to do with your kids, check out the Care.com Interview Series: Top 5 Recycled Craft Ideas! »