Recycle those random cardboard tubes in your home and make MERMAID puppets with your child today!! #gluedtomycrafts

Whether you decide to use recycled toilet paper rolls from in your home or buy them in bulk from the craft store, I hope our mermaid puppet idea sparks something CRAFTY within you and your child today!

And just like ALL our tutorials on Glued To My Crafts, this mermaid themed idea is really easy to recreate and completely customizable as well. Everything from the hair to the colors of the mermaid’s outfit, these items can be changed to reflect YOU! PLUS did you see the handprint keepsake element in the craft? SWOON!

When you are done creating, take the finished masterpieces to the living room and host an “under the sea” puppet show for extend play time! Find the full tutorial below! Happy crafting, my friends!!!

Cardboard Tube Mermaids Craft Supplies:

* Cardboard Tubes {recycled toilet paper rolls or buy them “clean” from a craft store}
* Green Craft Paint
* Paint Brush
* Black Glitter Glue {affiliate link}
* Craft Scissors
* Various Sheets of Colored Cardstock {I used tan, green and red}
* Paint Crayons/Markers
* Pencil
* Stapler
* Wiggle Eyes

Directions: 

* First things first – flatten your cardboard roll so it’s completely flat {as flat as it can be – that is!}
* Next up – paint the flattened tube completely green {both sides} with the green craft paint and paint brush.
* Now grab your black glitter glue. Doing one side of the tube at a time, draw on some “scales” for some crafty flair. Set aside to let it all dry completely.
* While that is drying, grab your various cardstock pieces. Trace/cut out a handprint from some red cardstock. This is the mermaid’s hair. You should also cut out a long rectangle piece {make sure it will fit inside your flattened tube} for the mermaid’s body, as well as her fins for the bottom of the puppet.
* Use markers or crayons to draw on a “bra” and a little bit of hair on the cardstock rectangle piece {use our picture for an example} Glue on the wiggle eyes as well on that piece.
* Finally – to finish off the mermaid puppets – staple all your pieces in place on the cardstock tube. You will want to place a few staples in the tube itself, so it doesn’t come apart/stay flattened.
* Then play/display your mermaids proudly!!!

We have also used cardboard craft tubes for a SUPERHERO themed kid craft post on Glued To My Crafts. Be sure to also check it out for another “pretend play” DIY to make with the kids this summer!