Frankenstein Pencil Holder from Toilet Roll: A Spooky-Fun Halloween Craft for Kids

Halloween crafts are some of the most fun and imaginative projects for kids—and this Frankenstein Pencil Holder made from a toilet roll is no exception. Whether you're preparing for a Halloween classroom party, a themed art lesson, or just looking for an engaging rainy-day activity, this DIY project delivers both creativity and practical use. Kids will love transforming an ordinary cardboard tube into a spooky desk buddy that holds all their favorite pencils, pens, and markers.

This craft is not only fun but also a great way to encourage recycling and upcycling at home or in the classroom. With just a few basic materials like construction paper, googly eyes, and some glue, children can create their very own monster masterpiece. Best of all, it helps organize desk clutter while adding a touch of Halloween flair to any workspace.

Materials Needed

• 1 empty toilet paper roll (or any cardboard tube)
• Green construction paper or green acrylic paint
• Black felt or black craft foam sheet
• Googly eyes (2 medium-sized)
• Black marker or small black paper shapes for the mouth and nose
• Glue stick or hot glue gun (with supervision)
• Scissors
• 2 small bolts or hex nuts (or cardboard/foam replicas)
• Optional: paintbrush, ruler, double-sided tape

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Paint or Cover the Tube Green

Begin by painting the outside of your toilet roll tube with green acrylic paint. Allow it to dry for at least 15–20 minutes. If you prefer not to use paint, wrap the tube in green construction paper and secure it with glue or double-sided tape. Ensure it's smooth and fully covered.

Step 2: Create and Attach Frankenstein’s Hair

Cut a strip of black felt or craft foam wide enough to wrap around the top edge of the tube. At one side of the strip, cut out a jagged pattern to resemble Frankenstein’s spiky hair. Wrap the strip around the top of the tube and glue it in place, lining the jagged edge along the top.

Step 3: Glue on Googly Eyes and Nose

Position the two googly eyes just below the hairline and glue them firmly. For the nose, cut a small triangle from black paper or foam and glue it right under the eyes. You can also draw the nose with a marker if preferred.

Step 4: Draw or Attach the Mouth

Draw Frankenstein’s signature stitched smile using a black marker, or cut thin black paper strips to create the mouth and stitches, then glue them on. This step adds character and personality, so let kids get creative with their monster’s expression.

Step 5: Add the Bolts to Each Side

To complete the Frankenstein look, attach a small bolt or a crafted cardboard circle on each side of the tube near the bottom. Use glue to secure them, and be sure they are evenly aligned. If using real bolts, ensure they're not too heavy or sharp.

Step 6: Turn it into a Pencil Holder

Once all decorations are in place and glue has dried, your Frankenstein tube is ready to be used! Stand it upright on a desk or shelf and fill it with pencils, pens, or even Halloween treats. It’s both decorative and functional!

Customization Ideas

Dracula Pencil Holder – Swap the green for red and black, use red construction paper to make a cape, and add pointy teeth under the eyes. A widow’s peak hairline made from black felt completes the vampire look.

Pumpkin Pencil Holder – Use orange paper or paint to cover the roll, cut out black triangle eyes and a jack-o’-lantern smile, and glue a green paper “stem” to the top. Great for a fall harvest theme.

Mummy Pencil Holder – Wrap the tube in strips of white gauze or tissue paper, leaving a small gap to glue in the googly eyes. This one’s easy and fun for younger kids.

Educational and Seasonal Uses

This Frankenstein pencil holder makes a great Halloween craft for classrooms, homeschool art sessions, or weekend family projects. It encourages recycling by using toilet rolls and helps develop fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and assembling. Teachers can tie this craft into Halloween story time or lessons about character creation.

The seasonal appeal makes it ideal for decorating desks, windowsills, or craft corners during October. It also makes a thoughtful handmade gift from kids to parents or teachers.

Printable Template

To make this craft even easier for group settings, we’ve included a printable template. It contains pre-drawn Frankenstein hair, eyes, mouth, nose, and bolt designs. Just print it out on cardstock, color each piece, cut them out, and glue them onto your toilet roll tube. It saves time and makes the project more accessible for younger kids or larger groups.

Whether you’re working with a classroom of students or enjoying a quiet craft time at home, this printable version is a ready-to-go solution. Pair it with crayons, markers, or even glitter to add a unique twist to each monster creation.

Conclusion

Crafting your own Frankenstein pencil holder is a fun, festive way to celebrate Halloween while promoting creativity and recycling. This simple project can be customized in endless ways and adapted for any age group. Whether you keep it on your desk or gift it to a friend, it’s sure to bring spooky charm wherever it goes.

So gather your supplies, print your template, and let your little monsters start crafting today!