Slithering snake craft for kids


By Caitlin Murray Giles


Create slithering serpentine friends from materials you have around your house.


  • Several empty cardboard paper towel tubes
  • Empty wrapping paper tube
  • Googly eyes
  • Craft glue or a glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Tempura paint in a variety of colors
  • Red construction paper or craft foam
  • Scissors


  1. Save several empty cardboard paper towel tubes (or dig them out of your recycling bin!). Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes one color. Let dry and apply a second coat if needed. Don't worry if the paint job isn't perfect.
  2. Once the paper towel tubes are completely dry, use scissors to cut the tubes into coils. Cut around the tube in narrow, straight rows. In order to ensure that the "snakes" hold their round shape, wrap the cut paper towel roll around an empty tube from wrapping paper or something with a similar shape.
  3. Use a small paintbrush to add dots (or another embellishment of your choice) in a contrasting color. Let dry completely and then flip over on the other side to add more detail.
  4. Use a glue gun (adult job only!) or craft glue to add googly eyes to the snake's "head."
  5. Use a small piece of red construction paper or red craft foam and scissors to create "forked tongues" to add to your snakes. Use craft glue or a hot glue gun to attach it to the end of your paper towel coil.
Chicago Parent Playdate Spring 2016
