18 Winter Crafts Made with Cardboard Tubes and Egg Cartons
Snowflakes cling to windowpanes, mittens dry by the radiator, and the quiet hush of winter invites cozy creativity. With just a few saved cardboard tubes and egg cartons, you can craft cheerful decorations and thoughtful handmade gifts that bring warmth to the season.
These projects turn everyday recyclables into joyful keepsakes. Each one uses simple tools and materials you likely already have, making them perfect for quiet afternoons, family crafting, or handmade holiday touches.
1. Cardboard Tube Snowmen
Easy
Chubby little snowmen stand at attention with coal-black eyes and bright scarves made from fabric scraps. These cheerful figures make perfect window sill displays or gift toppers.
Materials Needed
- 3 cardboard toilet paper tubes per snowman
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Black craft foam
- Orange craft foam
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Fabric scrap (about 10×10 cm)
- Googly eyes (6 mm)
- Twigs (3 cm long, 2 per snowman)
How to Make It
- Paint each cardboard tube white and let dry completely on a paper towel for 20 minutes.
- Cut the black craft foam into tiny circles for eyes and buttons, and a thin triangle for the nose from the orange foam.
- Stack the tubes vertically, largest at bottom, and glue them together with hot glue, holding for 10 seconds until set.
- Glue on the eyes, nose, and six buttons. Attach googly eyes over the black foam ones for shine.
- Wrap the middle tube with the fabric scrap as a scarf, securing with a dot of hot glue at the back.
- Glue two twigs to the middle tube for arms, angling them slightly outward.
2. Egg Carton Pine Trees
Easy
Soft green clusters rise from the table like a miniature forest, each cone shaped from egg carton cups. These make sweet centerpieces or nature-inspired holiday decor.
Materials Needed
- 1 egg carton (cups only, cut apart)
- Green acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Brown acrylic paint
- Popsicle stick
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small star bead (5 mm)
- Gold glitter (fine)
- White craft glue
How to Make It
- Cut individual cups from the egg carton, keeping the pointed end intact for the tree top.
- Paint each cup with green acrylic paint, covering all sides, and let dry for 20 minutes on a drying rack.
- Paint the popsicle stick brown and let dry for 10 minutes.
- Glue the stick vertically into the bottom center of each cup to form a trunk.
- Dot white craft glue on the tips of the green ridges and sprinkle with gold glitter, shaking off excess.
- Glue a star bead to the top point of each tree.
3. Cardboard Reindeer Ornaments
Moderate
Delicate reindeer with curling antlers hang from red ribbon, their faces formed from rolled tubes. These make heartfelt tree decorations or handmade gift tags.
Materials Needed
- 2 cardboard toilet paper tubes per reindeer
- Brown acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Red pom-pom (8 mm)
- Googly eyes (4 mm)
- Black craft foam
- Gold pipe cleaner
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Ribbon (red, 15 cm)
How to Make It
- Cut one tube in half crosswise and set one half aside. Roll the other half into a cone shape and glue the seam with hot glue.
- Paint the full tube and cone brown, let dry on a paper towel for 20 minutes.
- Cut two 5 cm lengths from the gold pipe cleaner and bend each into a 'Y' shape for antlers.
- Glue the cone to the top of the full tube at a slight forward tilt.
- Glue on googly eyes, red pom-pom nose, and black foam hooves cut into tiny ovals.
- Insert antlers into the top of the cone and glue in place. Tie ribbon to the top for hanging.
4. Egg Carton Snowflakes
Moderate
Six-pointed snowflakes shimmer with silver paint and glitter, each arm carved from a single egg cup. Hang them in windows to catch the winter light.
Materials Needed
- 1 egg carton (cups only)
- Silver acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Craft knife
- Ruler
- Pencil
- White glitter (fine)
- Clear-drying craft glue
- Fishing line (20 cm)
- Hole punch
How to Make It
- Cut six egg cups from the carton, trimming the bottom flat so they sit level.
- Draw a center line on each cup with pencil, then cut along it to create six identical petals.
- Arrange the petals in a star shape, points touching, and glue each seam with craft glue, holding for 10 seconds.
- Paint the entire snowflake with silver acrylic paint and let dry for 25 minutes.
- Brush clear glue on the ridges and sprinkle with white glitter, tapping off excess.
- Punch a hole at one point and thread fishing line through for hanging.
5. Cardboard Tube Owls
Moderate
Round-eyed owls with feather-textured bodies perch on shelves, made by wrapping dyed yarn around tubes. These add a woodland touch to any room.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per owl
- Brown yarn (medium weight, 2 meters)
- White glue
- Water
- Small bowl
- Paintbrush
- Orange craft foam
- Googly eyes (10 mm)
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
How to Make It
- Mix one part white glue with one part water in a bowl to make a soaking solution.
- Soak the yarn in the mixture for 2 minutes, then wrap it tightly around the tube, covering completely.
- Let the yarn-wrapped tube dry upright in a mug for 1 hour.
- Cut two small triangles from orange craft foam for beaks.
- Glue on googly eyes and the beak just below them using hot glue.
- Shape two small wings from leftover yarn and glue to the sides with hot glue.
6. Egg Carton Polar Bears
Easy
Fluffy white bears stand on ice floes made from painted egg cups, their ears peeking above snowy backs. These make gentle play figures or sweet shelf decor.
Materials Needed
- 1 egg carton cup per bear
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Black craft foam
- Googly eyes (4 mm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Cotton balls
- Scissors
How to Make It
- Paint the inside and rim of the egg cup white, leaving the bottom unpainted, and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Glue cotton balls around the rim to create a fluffy snowbank effect, overlapping slightly.
- Cut two small half-circles from black craft foam for ears.
- Glue the ears to the back rim of the cup, just below the cotton.
- Glue two googly eyes near the front edge so the bear appears to peek over the snow.
7. Cardboard Tube Icicles
Easy
Long, glossy icicles drape from mantels or windows, made by painting and glittering paper towel tubes. These catch the light like real winter ice.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard paper towel tube per icicle
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Clear glue
- Blue glitter (fine)
- Scissors
- Fishing line (15 cm)
- Hole punch
How to Make It
- Cut the paper towel tube into 15 cm lengths using scissors.
- Paint each piece white and let dry for 20 minutes on a flat surface.
- Brush clear glue along one edge of each piece, then roll in blue glitter.
- Let the glittered edge dry for 10 minutes on wax paper.
- Punch a hole near the top end and thread fishing line through for hanging.
8. Egg Carton Winter Trees
Moderate
Frosted evergreens with textured trunks rise from a snowy base, each crafted from two connected cups. These make lovely diorama elements or table scatter.
Materials Needed
- 2 egg carton cups per tree
- Green acrylic paint
- Brown acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- White puff paint
- Popsicle stick
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small wooden disc (2.5 cm diameter)
How to Make It
- Cut two cups from the carton, one slightly taller than the other.
- Paint the taller cup green and the shorter one brown, let dry for 20 minutes.
- Glue the brown cup to the top of the wooden disc, then glue the green cup on top of the brown one.
- Use the popsicle stick to apply white puff paint in wavy lines across the green cup for snow.
- Let the puff paint dry completely for 1 hour before moving.
9. Cardboard Tube Foxes
Moderate
Crimson foxes with bushy tails curl around tubes, their faces bright with orange paint and felt. These make playful gift toppers or kids' room decor.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per fox
- Orange acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Orange craft foam
- White craft foam
- Black craft foam
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Pencil
How to Make It
- Paint the tube orange and let dry for 20 minutes on a paper towel.
- Cut two large triangle ears from orange foam, a small white triangle for the muzzle, and two black nose dots.
- Draw whisker lines on the white foam triangle with pencil, then glue it to the front of the tube.
- Glue on the nose dots just above the muzzle.
- Attach the ears at the top edges of the tube, angling them slightly outward.
- Cut a bushy tail shape from leftover orange foam and glue to the back near the bottom.
10. Egg Carton Snowmen
Easy
Triple-layered snowmen with coal-button bodies and twig arms stand proudly on painted bases. These are ideal for place settings or holiday table decor.
Materials Needed
- 3 egg carton cups per snowman
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Black craft foam
- Orange craft foam
- Twigs (2 cm, 2 per snowman)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small black beads (4 mm, 3 per snowman)
How to Make It
- Paint each egg cup white and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Stack the cups largest to smallest, gluing each layer to the one below with hot glue.
- Cut two small circles from black foam for eyes and a triangle from orange foam for the nose.
- Glue on the eyes, nose, and three black beads for buttons.
- Insert twigs into the middle cup on each side for arms.
11. Cardboard Tube Penguins
Easy
Plump penguins waddle in place with black and white painted bodies and orange feet. These make adorable desk companions or stocking stuffers.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per penguin
- Black acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Orange craft foam
- Googly eyes (6 mm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
How to Make It
- Paint the bottom two-thirds of the tube black and the top third white, let dry for 20 minutes.
- Cut two small oval feet from orange craft foam.
- Glue the googly eyes near the top edge of the white section.
- Glue the feet to the bottom edge of the tube, slightly forward for a waddling stance.
12. Egg Carton Holly Berries
Easy
Clusters of red berries with serrated green leaves drape over door frames, each berry formed from a single cup. These add festive color to any space.
Materials Needed
- 6 egg carton cups per cluster
- Red acrylic paint
- Green acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Green pipe cleaner
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
How to Make It
- Paint the inside of each cup red and the outer ridges green, let dry for 20 minutes.
- Cut five leaf shapes from green craft foam, each with three points.
- Twist three pipe cleaners together to make a sturdy stem.
- Glue three cups together at the base to form a berry cluster.
- Glue the leaves around the base of the cluster.
- Attach the stem to the back with hot glue.
13. Cardboard Tube Sleds
Moderate
Miniature sleds with runners and rope pulls sit ready for imaginary snow rides. These make charming gift wraps or kids' craft projects.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per sled
- Brown acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- White puff paint
- Jute twine (20 cm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Pencil
- Ruler
How to Make It
- Paint the tube brown and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Use the pencil to mark two 1 cm lines near each end of the tube, parallel to the ends.
- Paint white puff paint along the marked lines to create runners, let dry for 1 hour.
- Cut two 10 cm lengths of jute twine.
- Glue one end of each twine to the front inside edge of the tube to form pull ropes.
14. Egg Carton Cardinal
Moderate
A bright red bird with a pointed crest perches on a branch, its body shaped from a single cup. This little songbird brings winter cheer.
Materials Needed
- 1 egg carton cup per cardinal
- Red acrylic paint
- Black acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Black craft foam
- Orange craft foam
- Twigs (4 cm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Googly eyes (4 mm)
How to Make It
- Paint the inside of the cup red and the outer rim black, let dry for 20 minutes.
- Cut a small triangle from orange foam for the beak and a teardrop from black foam for the crest.
- Glue the beak to the front just below the rim.
- Glue the crest to the back rim, curving it upward.
- Glue on googly eyes above the beak.
- Glue the twig to the bottom center of the cup for a perch.
15. Cardboard Tube Snow Globes
Advanced
Mini snow globes with wintery scenes inside clear plastic domes, built around painted tubes. These make magical keepsakes or nightstand decor.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per globe
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Clear plastic dome (from old gift ornament, 8 cm)
- Glitter (white, fine)
- Distilled water
- Glycerin (1 tsp)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small printed winter image (3×3 cm)
How to Make It
- Paint the tube white and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Glue the printed image inside the dome with a tiny dot of hot glue at each corner.
- Fill the dome halfway with distilled water and add 1 tsp glycerin.
- Sprinkle a pinch of glitter into the dome.
- Seal the dome to the top of the tube with a continuous bead of hot glue, holding for 30 seconds.
16. Egg Carton Reindeer Antlers
Moderate
Delicate antlers curve upward from headbands, each prong shaped from egg carton ridges. These make whimsical party favors or photo props.
Materials Needed
- 2 egg carton side ridges per antler set
- Brown acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Headband (plastic, 15 cm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Gold glitter (fine)
- Clear glue
How to Make It
- Cut two long ridges from the side of an egg carton, each with 4–5 peaks.
- Paint both ridges brown and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Brush clear glue on the tips of each peak and sprinkle with gold glitter, tapping off excess.
- Let dry for 10 minutes.
- Glue one ridge to each side of the headband, curving upward and outward.
17. Cardboard Tube Snow Scooters
Moderate
Zippy winter scooters with steering handles and painted details race across imaginary snowbanks. These make fun toy additions or gift tags.
Materials Needed
- 1 cardboard toilet paper tube per scooter
- Blue acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- White puff paint
- Pipe cleaner (blue)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
How to Make It
- Paint the tube blue and let dry for 20 minutes.
- Cut the pipe cleaner in half and bend each piece into a 'U' for handlebars.
- Glue the handlebars to the top front of the tube.
- Use white puff paint to draw snow streaks along the sides, let dry for 1 hour.
- Paint two white circles on the sides near the back for wheels.
18. Egg Carton Mitten Pairs
Easy
Tiny mittens with striped cuffs dangle from yarn strings, each shaped from two glued cups. These make sweet garlands or tree decorations.
Materials Needed
- 2 egg carton cups per mitten
- Red acrylic paint
- White acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Yarn (green, 30 cm)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
How to Make It
- Paint the inside of each cup red and the outer rim white, let dry for 20 minutes.
- Glue two cups together at the rims, back to back, to form a mitten shape.
- Cut a 15 cm length of yarn and tie through the top loop of the mitten.
- Repeat to make a matching pair and link with a 10 cm yarn connector.
Grab your saved tubes and cartons, pour a warm drink, and let your hands shape something joyful. These little creations carry the quiet magic of winter, made special by your time and care.
