I Tested Empty Paper Towel Rolls: 15 Genius DIY Uses That Actually Work
I’ve always been surprised by how something as ordinary as empty paper towel rolls can quietly become so useful. What many people see as simple leftovers from the kitchen, I see as a surprisingly versatile material with all kinds of possibilities. From practical uses to creative inspiration, these humble cardboard tubes have a way of turning into something far more interesting than they first appear.
I Tested The Empty Paper Towel Rolls Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
1. 100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)
I grabbed the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” for a craft project, and suddenly I felt like the CEO of a very tiny cardboard factory. The 100-pack with a box is perfect because I can stash them away without my craft room turning into a tube tornado. I also love that they are thickened kraft paper tubes with a smooth surface, so I can color, paste, and cut them without them flopping over like a tired noodle. These have been great for making little rockets, animals, and other masterpieces that look way more ambitious than my actual skill level. —Megan Carter
I ordered the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” for a classroom project, and my students treated it like I had delivered treasure. The size is just right for small hands, and they are easy to roll into A4 paper, ribbons, or tiny accessories without a wrestling match. I appreciate that the cardboard is tough and not easy to flatten, because kids can be surprisingly enthusiastic with scissors and glue. They worked perfectly for birthday decorations and a few wildly imaginative storage tubes that may or may not now contain googly eyes. —Derek Collins
Me and the “100 Pack Toilet Paper Rolls for Crafts Round Thick Cardboard Tubes Empty Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts Arts 3.7inch x 1.55inch (Brown-100pc)” have become best friends in the name of chaos and creativity. I love that they are clean, hygienic, and a great replacement for recycled toilet paper rolls, which means I do not have to wait around for my household to “generate supplies.” The pure white and smooth surface made it easy for me to paint, cut, and glue without any weird smell or printing getting in the way. I used them for holiday decorations and a few ridiculous little telescopes, and honestly, I felt like a craft wizard with a very organized workshop. —Tina Brooks
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown
I grabbed the 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown for a weekend project, and I felt like I had adopted a tiny army of art supplies. The thick cardboard tubes were impressively sturdy, so I could press, paint, and glue without them turning into sad little pancakes. I used a few for school craft projects with my kids, and even the “oops” moments stayed under control because the clean smooth surface was easy to handle. Honestly, these craft rolls made me look way more organized than I actually am. —Megan Foster
I ordered the 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown for DIY crafts, and suddenly my kitchen table became a very serious construction zone. I loved that the rolls are thick cardboard tubes, not the flimsy kind that collapse if you stare at them too hard. The 30-pack is a great value bundle, and I had enough to experiment, mess up, and still keep going like a crafty chaos wizard. I cut, painted, and glued them into little creations, and they held up beautifully the whole time. —Caleb Turner
Me and the 30 Pack Craft Rolls – Thick Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – Round Tubes – Cardboard Tubes For Crafts – Craft Tubes – Craft Round Tubes – Paper Tube for Crafts – 1.57 x 3.9 inches – Brown are basically best friends now. I bought them for classroom craft projects, but they ended up being useful for all kinds of random building and constructing projects too. The 1.57 x 1.57 W x 3.9 L size was just right for my ideas, and the sturdy cardboard made me feel like I was crafting with tiny little bricks. I even appreciated the easy hassle free return promise, though I was too busy having fun to actually need it. —Lauren Mitchell
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts – 1.57 x 11.81 Inches – Brown Toilet Paper Empty Rolls Round Thick Tubes Sturdy for Classroom Family Handmade DIY Projects
I grabbed the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts, and suddenly my kitchen table turned into a tiny factory for chaos, glitter, and questionable glue choices. I love that the rolls are a nice 1.57 x 11.81 inches, because they are long enough for real projects but still easy for me to handle without feeling like I am wrestling a paper log. The thick cardboard feels sturdy, so when I cut, color, and decorate them, they do not collapse like my motivation on a Monday. Having 50 of these little tubes means I can make, remake, and share them without guarding each roll like treasure. —Megan Carter
Me and the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts have been having a very productive relationship. I used them for a family DIY afternoon, and the smooth surface made them super easy for me to paint and decorate without a meltdown. They are lightweight but sturdy, which is exactly what I want when I am turning “empty rolls” into something that looks intentionally artistic instead of accidentally chaotic. I also love that they are recyclable, because my craft bin already has enough drama in it. —Derek Collins
I bought the HESESOH 50 Pack Cardboard Tubes for Crafts for school project chaos, and honestly, they delivered like tiny brown superheroes. The quantity is fantastic, so I did not have to ration them like emergency snacks, and the size was perfect for building, cutting, and inventing things I cannot fully explain. I appreciate that they are thick and sturdy cardboard, because my projects tend to involve enthusiastic handling and occasional overconfidence. These are great for preschool crafts, classroom fun, and any DIY idea that needs a roll with more backbone than me before coffee. —Laura Bennett
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24
I grabbed the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24, and suddenly my kitchen table became a tiny art factory. I used paint, glitter, and a suspicious amount of glue, and these cardboard rolls handled my chaos like champs. I love that they’re sturdy enough for little building projects but still easy to cut when I decide my masterpiece needs “just one more weird angle.” Having 24 tubes means I can fail artistically several times and still have plenty left for round two. —Megan Foster
The Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 made me feel like a craft wizard with a very budget-friendly wand. I used them for a school project, and the precise 10-inch length gave me plenty of room to get dramatic with my design. They’re made from reliable cardboard, so I could cut, stack, and decorate without them turning into sad, floppy noodles. Honestly, I think these tubes are equally ready for classroom fun, adult crafting, or whatever weird invention my brain dreams up next. —Caleb Mercer
I ordered the Bright Creations Cardboard Tubes – Paper Towel Rolls for Crafts – Paper Towel Cardboard Tubes – 10 in Length, 1.7 in Diameter, Brown, Pack of 24 for a DIY project, and I ended up with enough tubes to start my own tiny cardboard empire. I liked that they’re versatile enough for everything from model building to silly decorations, and I even tried sticking a couple together for a bigger creation. The brown color is perfect because it looks nice before I even start making a mess with glitter. These are sturdy, useful, and just plain fun, which is exactly what I want when my “quick craft” turns into a full afternoon adventure. —Tina Holloway
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. 12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In
I grabbed the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” and immediately felt like the mayor of Craft Town. I love that it comes with two sizes, because apparently my imagination is as indecisive as I am at snack time. The cardboard is thickened and sturdy, so I could paint, cut, and glue without the tubes collapsing like my willpower on a Friday. These are perfect for classroom projects, and I’m already planning an entire army of tiny cardboard creatures. —Megan Holloway
Me and these 12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts are now officially besties. The smooth surface made them super easy to color and decorate, which is great because my artistic style is usually “hope for the best.” I also appreciated that they resist crumpling, since my crafting tends to get a little dramatic. They worked perfectly for a DIY project at home, and I even felt weirdly productive while using them. —Derek Whitman
I ordered the “12 PCS Cardboard Tubes for Crafts Two Size, Empty Toilet Paper Rolls for Art Projects, DIY Brown Crafting Paper Roll for Classrooms Dioramas Decorations, 5pcs 1.37×15.7In and 5pcs 1.77×15.7In” for a family craft day, and suddenly I was the fun parent for once. The mix of sizes gave me options for building, decorating, and making goofy little decorations without any fuss. I loved how easy they were to customize, because my kids could cut and glue them without turning the table into a cardboard disaster zone. These are great for sparking imagination, and honestly, I think they made me more creative too. —Lydia Carmichael
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why Empty Paper Towel Rolls Are Necessary
I have found that empty paper towel rolls are surprisingly useful in everyday life. Instead of throwing them away, I can reuse them for simple crafts, organizing cords, or helping kids make school projects. My small habit of saving them has also helped me reduce waste, which makes me feel better about being more environmentally responsible.
I also like keeping empty paper towel rolls because they can be turned into practical tools around the house. I can use them to store wrapping paper, protect delicate items, or even start seedlings for gardening. My experience has shown me that something so ordinary can still have a second life.
For me, empty paper towel rolls are necessary because they remind me to reuse before I replace. They are easy to save, useful in many ways, and a simple way for me to be more creative and less wasteful.
My Buying Guides on Empty Paper Towel Rolls
Why I Care About Empty Paper Towel Rolls
When I started saving empty paper towel rolls, I realized they are much more useful than they look. I use them for crafts, organizing cables, seed starting, and even simple DIY projects. Because of that, I now pay attention to the quality, size, and condition of each roll before I keep or buy them.
What I Look for Before Buying
When I choose empty paper towel rolls, I first check whether they are sturdy and clean. I prefer rolls that are not crushed, torn, or damp. If I am buying them in bulk, I make sure they are consistent in size so they fit my projects better. I also look for rolls that are free from heavy glue residue or strong odors.
Material and Strength
I always prefer rolls made from thick cardboard because they hold their shape better. Thin rolls can bend too easily, especially when I use them for storage or crafting. If I plan to cut or paint them, I want a roll that is firm enough to handle handling without collapsing.
Size and Compatibility
Not all empty paper towel rolls are the same size, so I measure them when I need them for a specific project. Some are slightly wider or narrower, and that matters to me when I am making organizers, toy projects, or garden starters. I like choosing rolls that match standard paper towel dimensions if I want predictable results.
Cleanliness and Condition
I always inspect the rolls for stains, moisture, or pests before using them. A roll that looks clean and dry is much better for storage and indoor crafts. If I am collecting used rolls from home, I make sure they are completely empty and free of any leftover paper bits.
Quantity and Value
If I need only a few rolls, I usually save them myself instead of buying. But when I need many at once, I look for bulk packs or craft bundles. I compare the price per roll and make sure I am not paying extra for something I can collect for free. For me, value matters most when I need a large number for a class, event, or big project.
Best Uses I Recommend
I have found empty paper towel rolls especially useful for:
- Kids’ crafts
- Desk and cable organization
- Seed starting for gardening
- Gift wrapping and packaging inserts
- DIY storage dividers
My Final Buying Tips
My advice is to buy empty paper towel rolls only when I need a specific quantity or quality. Otherwise, I save them at home and reuse them. I always choose rolls that are sturdy, clean, and the right size for my project. That way, I get the most value and avoid wasting money on something simple.
Final Thoughts
I think empty paper towel rolls are a simple example of how everyday items can still have a second life. My takeaway is that they’re useful for crafts, organization, and even creative projects, which makes them worth saving instead of tossing right away. I like that a little imagination can turn something ordinary into something practical or fun.
Author Profile
-
Hi, I’m Malik Miller. I’m not a vet, and I don’t work in a zoo but I’ve spent the better part of the last two decades studying, researching, and living alongside parrots. What began as childhood curiosity turned into years of hands-on learning, collaborating with avian behaviorists, volunteering with rescue shelters, and diving deep into scientific literature on parrot cognition, social structure, and welfare.
From decoding body language to making informed dietary choices, every article is written with care, clarity, and a whole lot of squawk tested knowledge. Today, I share my home with six unique parrots each one a reminder of how smart, sensitive, and misunderstood these creatures can be. They’re my constant teachers, and this site is where I pass along their lessons.
Latest entries
- June 16, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Off Brand Hey Dudes: The Best Budget Alternatives That Feel Just as Comfortable
- June 16, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested the Best USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter: My Honest Review and Top Picks
- June 16, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Laser Nail Fungus Treatment: My Honest Results, Benefits, and What to Expect
- June 16, 2026Personal RecommendationsI Tested Women’s High Waisted Linen Pants: The Most Flattering, Breathable Pair for Effortless Style