If you’re looking for a fun, creative, and kid-friendly Halloween craft, this Frankenstein Toilet Roll Buddy is the perfect project. With just a few simple supplies, you can turn an ordinary cardboard tube into a spooky (but adorable!) Frankenstein character. Whether you're decorating your home for Halloween, preparing a classroom craft activity, or just enjoying a crafty afternoon with your kids, this project is easy, engaging, and full of character.

Not only does it encourage creativity, but it also teaches the value of recycling and reusing common household items. Kids will love painting, gluing, and assembling their own little monster, and the end result makes for a great spooky shelf buddy or table decoration. You can even use it as part of a Halloween storytelling game or puppet show. Let’s get started with what you’ll need!
Materials Needed
- 1 empty toilet paper roll
- Green acrylic paint
- Black construction paper or felt
- Googly eyes (large size recommended)
- Black marker or foam for the mouth detail
- Scissors
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Optional: pom-poms, glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint

Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Paint the Toilet Roll Green
Begin by painting the entire toilet paper roll with green acrylic paint. You may need two coats for full coverage. Let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Create Frankenstein’s Hair
While the paint dries, cut a strip of black construction paper or felt to wrap around the top of the roll. Cut triangle shapes along one edge to resemble Frankenstein’s jagged hairline. Glue the strip around the top edge of the roll, positioning the triangles to face downward.
Step 3: Add Eyes and Mouth
Glue two large googly eyes onto the roll, slightly below the hairline. Using a black marker or adhesive foam, draw or stick on a horizontal mouth with vertical stitches across it to mimic Frankenstein's classic stitched smile.
Step 4: Attach Arms and Clothing
Cut a wider strip of black paper to serve as Frankenstein’s shirt and wrap it around the middle of the roll, securing with glue. For arms, use small green pom-poms for hands and attach them to short black paper or felt sleeves. Glue each arm to the sides of the roll.
Step 5: Let it Dry and Display
Once all elements are attached, allow your Frankenstein buddy to dry thoroughly. Then it’s ready to be displayed on a shelf, used as part of a Halloween centerpiece, or added to a monster-themed collection.
Customization Ideas
Bride of Frankenstein: Add white streaks to the hair, draw on long eyelashes, and use red paper for lips. Give her a unique outfit by using lace or silver fabric scraps.
Mini Monster Family: Create an entire cast of toilet roll creatures using different colors, facial expressions, and accessories. Think mummies, vampires, and little goblins.
Glow-in-the-Dark Frankie: Use glow-in-the-dark paint for the skin or mouth stitches. Perfect for Halloween night decorations that come to life in the dark!

Educational and Seasonal Uses
This Frankenstein Toilet Roll Buddy is not just fun—it’s also educational. Use it to teach kids about sustainability and the importance of recycling by transforming trash into treasure. It's also a great addition to classroom Halloween projects, library craft sessions, or seasonal STEM/art hybrid lessons. For storytelling sessions, these buddies can be used as creative puppets that kids build and then bring to life with their imagination.
Printable Template
To make this craft even easier, you can use a printable Frankenstein template. The downloadable page includes the hair, eyes, mouth, and shirt elements, all ready to be colored and cut out. Simply print the sheet on cardstock or regular paper, let the kids color in the elements, and then glue them onto the painted toilet roll.
This approach is perfect for younger kids or classroom settings where prepping materials ahead of time saves time. It allows for coloring and creativity while streamlining the construction of the Frankenstein buddy.

Conclusion
Crafting your own Frankenstein Toilet Roll Buddy is a charming way to celebrate Halloween with kids or students. It's an easy, low-mess activity that sparks creativity and brings festive fun into any space. With a little paint, paper, and personality, this recycled craft becomes a spooky sidekick ready for Halloween adventures. Try it today and don’t be afraid to create your own monster twist!

Frankenstein Toilet Roll Buddy Craft
Equipment
- Scissors
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Paintbrush
Materials
Main Materials
- 1 Empty toilet paper roll
- Green acrylic paint
- Black construction paper or felt
- 2 Googly eyes (large)
- Black marker or foam for mouth
- Optional: pom-poms, glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint
Instructions
- Step 1: Paint the entire toilet paper roll with green acrylic paint. Apply a second coat if needed and allow it to dry fully.
- Step 2: Cut a strip of black construction paper or felt with a jagged edge to resemble hair. Wrap and glue it around the top of the roll.
- Step 3: Glue on two large googly eyes just below the hairline. Add a stitched mouth using black marker or foam cutout.
- Step 4: Cut a wide strip of black paper for the shirt and glue it around the middle. Attach pom-pom arms with felt sleeves to each side.
- Step 5: Let everything dry thoroughly before placing your Frankenstein buddy on display.
