Green Toys- Look what you can do with TP tubes!
Guest post by Stephanie W.
My sons and I visited a local museum the other day. They had a blast! There was so much to do and see there, but their favorite thing by far was the treehouse. They spent almost a hour playing with the animals in the treehouse. They had all sorts of adventures (and arguments) and I had to literally tear them away when it was time to go.
I searched the internet to find something that resembled the treehouse they so loved at the museum and was so disappointed. The ones I found were either not what I was looking for or way out of our price range. So, super-mom (thatʼs me :)) set to work creating a treehouse for my boys. I love using things I find around the house and knowing that they are getting a second chance and are not ending up in the garbage. Here is what I came up with.
Materials:
• 15 or so toilet paper tubes
• Cardboard boxes (cereal boxes work too)
• brown and black paint
• scissors
• Hot glue gun or other very strong glue
Directions:
• Cut 2-3 circles about the size of a dinner plate from the cardboard boxes
• Cut 5-6 circles about the size of a dessert plate from the boxes
• Cut 3 strips about 4 inches wide from the boxes
• Fold the strips back and forth to create the stairs
• Leave one strip as is to use for a slide (if desired)
Assembly:
This part is really up to the creator. Your treehouse can be as tall or wide as you like. I
chose a three layer house, 2 staircases and a slide.
• Place the larger black circles on the table and position tubes to your liking. Use the hot
glue gun to attach them to the cardboard.
• Place a smaller cardboard circle on top of the tubes and glue it in place.
• Continue as such until you have the shape and height you want.
• Position the stairs between to levels and glue into place. Do the same with a slide if
desired.
• Paint the tubes brown and the floors black (or a color of your choosing) and allow to dry.
Written and submitted by Stephanie Whittle
Mom, Teacher and Blogger
Boy Mama Teacher Mama
www.boymamateachermama.com
[email protected]
