Slithery sneaky cardboard tube coiled snakes are a fun way to recycle and reuse those unwanted tubes. Great for a kids camp craft or an afternoon project in the summer!

Why we love this project

This cardboard tube coiled snakes craft is a great way to teach kids the importance of recycling all while feeding their creative minds. This would make a great camp craft or activity for boys and girls alike. Or you can teach them about snakes in the classroom while they create recycled cardboard tube coiled snakes of their own!

You can use any colors you like. I chose bright colors for these just for the fun of it!

What you’ll need

You can find the full printable instructions and materials list at the end of this post.

• 3 cardboard tubes
• tube from wrapping paper or similar tubular item
• 6 googly eyes
• Toothpick
• White craft glue
• Scissors
• Acrylic craft paint in colors of your choice

How to Make Cardboard Tube Coiled Snakes

1. Paint the inside and outside of the cardboard tubes. You might need a second coat, just depends on the brand of paint you use and the color. Cut the tubes into coils, but if your cardboard is still a little damp it might not hold it’s round shape while you cut. Don’t panic! I’ve got you covered…
2. Take a tube from wrapping paper, or something similar, and wrap the cut cardboard around the tube loosely. Use the handle end of a paintbrush to add polka dots with a contrasting color of paint. LET DRY. Flip over to the other side and finish your polka dots.
3. Remove from the tube and wrap the painted cardboard in coil fashion around your fingers. Here’s where you can play with it a bit and position it the way you want to. Paint the end with red and let it dry.
4. Meanwhile, glue on googly eyes, I find it easiest to add the glue with a toothpick since they are small.
5. Now that the red paint is dry, use some small scissors to snip the red end into a forked tongue. An easier option, if your kids are smaller, is to cut a forked tongue from red construction paper, snip the end of the cardboard to cut off the point, and glue that paper tongue in place instead.

When the tubes are completely dry they are a lot easier to manipulate and shape.

Stretch them out for a coiled snake on the ground, or coil them up with their head popping out! Have fun!

More Cardboard Tube Crafts

There’s no shortage of cardboard tube crafts here on the blog. If you’re looking for more fun ideas to do with the kids check out the list below!

• Cardboard Tube Farm Animals
• How to Make a Kaleidoscope
• Cardboard Tube Coiled Christmas Tree
• Coiled Cardboard Tube Rainbow Mobile
• Cardboard Tube Binoculars

This post was originally published on this blog on May 8, 2012.