Strings of twinkling lights are one of the best parts of the holiday season. They wrap around trees, frame front porches, and make every room feel a little more magical. Now your kids can make their own glowing strands, and all it takes is paint, paper, and a few empty toilet paper rolls you were about to toss.
This craft is simple, budget-friendly, and great for little hands. The secret is a gentle pinch that turns a round cardboard tube into a perfect bulb-shaped stamp. Kids love watching their colorful “lights” appear with every press, and the finished artwork looks bright enough to hang on the fridge all December long.
It works well at the kitchen table, in a classroom, or during a cozy afternoon at home. Let’s get stamping!
Craft Supplies:
Gather these supplies before you begin:
- Construction paper in black or white
- Markers in gold or black (a metallic gold marker looks stunning on black paper)
- Tempera or acrylic paint in red, yellow and green
- A paper plate to hold your paint
- Empty toilet paper rolls (one per paint color works best)
- Optional: paper towels, a smock, and newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your work surface
Directions:
Step 1: Draw Your Light Strings
Lay your construction paper flat. Use a marker to draw looping lines across the page, from one side to the other. These lines become the wires that hold your Christmas lights.
Make the loops gentle and wavy, like a strand of lights draped across a mantel. Two to four strings per page give you plenty of room for stamping without crowding.
Step 2: Set Up Your Paint Station
Squeeze a small dollop of red, yellow and green paint onto the paper plate. Keep the colors separated so they stay bright and clean. A thin, even layer works better than a big puddle, since too much paint can blur your bulb shapes.
Step 3: Pinch the Tube Into a Bulb Shape
Grab an empty toilet paper roll. Gently squeeze one end between your fingers so the circle bends into an oval with slightly pointed ends, a bit like an almond or a leaf. That shape is your light bulb!
Don’t press too hard. You want a soft bend, not a flat fold. If the tube springs back, give it another light pinch to help it hold its shape.
Step 4: Dip in Paint
Dip the pinched end of the tube into one paint color. Press down lightly and wiggle it just a little so the whole rim gets coated. Lift it straight up and check that the edge is covered all the way around.
Step 5: Stamp Your Bulbs Along the String
Now for the fun part. Press the painted end of the tube onto the paper, right along one of your marker lines. Hold it for a second, then lift it straight up. You’ll see a colorful oval outline that looks just like a Christmas bulb.
Keep stamping along the string, leaving a little space between each bulb. Switch between red, orange, and green to create a festive pattern. Using a separate tube for each color keeps the paint from mixing.
Tip: Tilt the stamp slightly in different directions so the bulbs hang at playful angles, just like real lights on a strand.
Step 6: Let It Dry
Set your artwork somewhere flat to dry. Tempera paint usually dries in 15 to 30 minutes, while acrylic may take a little longer. Once dry, your twinkly masterpiece is ready to display.
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That’s all it takes to turn a simple cardboard tube into a merry and bright work of art. Each stamped strand is one of a kind, and kids feel proud seeing their lights come to life with every press.
We’d love to see how your holiday lights turned out! Snap a photo of your finished artwork and share it on social media. Tag @gluedtomycrafts so we can cheer on your little artists and spread some holiday sparkle together.
Happy crafting, and may your holidays be merry and bright!
