Looking for a fun way to use empty toilet paper rolls? Try making some super cute paper roll stamped shamrocks with your kids! This simple recycled craft is easy to make, great for both younger and older kids, and perfect for Saint Patrick’s Day.
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Do you have a whole stash of toilet paper rolls at home that you’ve been saving for arts and crafts? If so, this project is for you! This easy Saint Patrick’s Day craft uses recycled paper rolls to make adorable shamrock prints.
Your child will love this simple process art activity, and even younger kids should be able to paint shamrocks all on their own! Make sure you save this tutorial for the month of March.
Why You’ll Love This Craft
- Easy to make: Even toddlers should be able to do most of this craft without any help from an adult! Simply create the stamp for them and let them use it to make prints.
- Simple supplies: This easy recycled craft only requires a few basic supplies that you probably already have at home.
- Fun for all ages: Have young kids at home? Not only is this craft fun to make, but it’s perfect for both younger and older kids!
Looking for more paper roll stamped crafts? Check out these Toilet Paper Roll Heart Stamps, this Paper Roll Stamped Tulip Card or these Toilet Paper Roll Stamped Spiders!
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Required Materials
- Toilet paper roll: You can also use a paper towel roll if you have one, but you won’t be able to use the cardboard tube from plastic wrap, parchment paper or aluminium paper, which is thicker and can’t be bent into shapes.
- Paint palette: You’ll need a paint palette with a large flat surface in order to dip your homemade stamp in paint. If you don’t have one, you can also use a paper, plastic or ceramic plate—I prefer plastic and ceramic because they can be washed and reused.
- Adhesive tape: Anything you have at home will do the trick!
- Paint: Washable kids’ paint and acrylic paint are both fine, but I prefer to use washable paint when I am crafting with young kids.
- Cardstock or paper: Either is fine, but I tend to favor cardstock because it holds up better when paint is added, and doesn’t get wavy like paper does. I used cream-colored cardstock for this craft, but you can also use white or another light color that allows the green paint to show.
- Cotton swab: You’ll be using this to paint the stems of the shamrocks, so only one is needed for this craft. If you don’t have any at home, you can use a paintbrush instead (or even just draw the stems using a green marker).
The full supply list and instructions can be found in the how-to card.
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How to Paint Shamrocks with Toilet Paper Rolls (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Fold paper roll. Fold the toilet paper roll in half by flattening it between your fingers.
Step 2: Create heart shape. Unfold the toilet paper roll and use your fingers to press one of the folded edges inward instead of outward, creating the shape of a heart.
Step 3: Secure stamp. Use adhesive tape to secure the shape. This will prevent it from getting deformed when you use it to paint shamrocks.
Step 4: Dip stamp in paint. Pour some green paint onto a paint palette, then press one end of the stamp into the paint, moving it around as needed to cover it with paint.
Step 5: Stamp shamrocks. Press the paint-covered stamp onto a sheet of cardstock to create a heart imprint. Then, using more paint if needed, create two more heart imprints, with all three being joined at the tip to create the shape of a shamrock. Repeat this step as many times as desired to create more shamrocks.
Step 6: Add stems. Finish off the shamrocks by dipping a Q-tip in green paint and using it to add a stem to each one.
This was such a fun little art project, and a great way to use up all those toilet paper rolls we’ve been saving for crafts! I loved that it was simple enough for my younger kids to participate as well.
Helpful Tips
- Don’t let the hearts overlap: I found that the best way to make pretty shamrocks was to make the hearts touch at the tip, and avoid letting them overlap. This also made it easier to add the stems.
- Leave room for the stem: When creating your shamrock prints, start with two hearts that are placed a bit further apart, then finish off the design by placing a third heart in between them. This will leave more room for the stems at the base of the shamrock.
- Use more paint as needed: For best results, dip the stamp in paint as often as needed. I dipped mine in paint every time to make sure my shamrock prints were as clear as possible.
- Make the stamp for your child: Making this craft with a young child? If they’re not able to make the stamp themselves, simply prep it for them, then let them use it to create their shamrocks!
More Saint Patrick Crafts for Kids
If you have tried these Paper Roll Stamped Shamrocks or any other project on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Paper Roll Stamped Shamrocks
Materials
- 1 toilet paper roll
- 1 paint palette
- adhesive tape
- washable paint (green)
- 1 sheet cardstock
- 1 cotton swab
Instructions
- Fold the toilet paper roll in half by flattening it between your fingers.
- Unfold the toilet paper roll and use your fingers to press one of the folded edges inward instead of outward, creating the shape of a heart. Then, secure the shape with adhesive tape to prevent it from getting deformed during the stamping process.
- Pour some green paint onto a paint palette, then press one end of the stamp into the paint, moving it around and pressing it back down until it is completely covered with paint.
- Press the paint-covered stamp onto a sheet of cardstock to create a heart imprint. Then, using more paint as needed, create two more heart imprints, with all three being joined at the tip to create the shape of a shamrock. Repeat this step as many times as desired to create more shamrocks.
- Finish off the shamrocks by dipping a Q-tip in green paint and using it to add a stem to each one.
Video
Notes
- Don’t let the hearts overlap: For pretty shamrocks, position your three hearts so that they touch at the tip, but don’t overlap.
- Leave room for the stem: To leave room for the stem, start with two hearts that are placed a bit further apart, then place a third heart in between them.
- Add more paint as needed: Dip the stamp in paint as often as needed to create clear prints.
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