Recycled Pillow Box Favors

    Posted by  ·  August 31, 2010

    You know that I save toilet paper rolls.

    They can be made into so many things — mummies, rockets, Uncle Sam hats, flower party favors……………….

    even cute pillow boxes perfect for a little favor!

    Fold in one side of the end.

    Then fold in the other side. Repeat on other end.

    Open back up and give the toilet paper  roll a bit of paint. Be careful to not use too much paint if your toilet paper roll is extra thin.

    Give it a nice shine with a light coat of clear spray paint.

    Fill with candy and treats, fold back ends.

    How about some for Halloween? The kids could have a great time making these for all of their friends.

    70 COMMENTS
    Filed Under: Party Favors

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    Comments

    1. Emily Dickinson
      Thursday, March 5th, 2015
      If you are not happy about using toilet paper rolls, please don't ruin other peoples' interest.
      Reply
    2. totee castillo
      Friday, September 26th, 2014
      Thanks for the wonderful idea on recycling those tissue roll cardboard, now I can reuse those roll left in our 40 hotel rooms. Thanks again
      Reply
    3. Aidan
      Tuesday, November 26th, 2013
      Great tips really fun things love doing them
      Reply
    4. cinnamongirl987
      Saturday, November 10th, 2012
      Germ-phobic people are doggin' the TP rolls. I tend to agree; but, paper towel rolls, while larger, would offer the same cute results!!

      I am going to make some for Christmas and paint them like candy canes.
      Reply
    5. Karina
      Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012
      was looking in how to get usage of my toilet paper rolls. Thank you for helping : )
      Reply
    6. Merri
      Tuesday, May 15th, 2012
      So stinking cute! Love this idea!
      Reply
    7. skrilla girilla
      Wednesday, April 4th, 2012
      EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWww
      Reply
    8. Joe
      Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
      I feel the same way about TP rolls and food but just microwave for 10 seconds and it supposed to kill any germs
      Reply
    9. Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet
      Saturday, March 17th, 2012
      Wow, toilet paper rolls? I would have never guessed! Genius!
      Reply
    10. Marty Chamberlain
      Wednesday, March 14th, 2012
      I am not so sure I like the idea of putting food stuffs in a used toilet role. Hands get dirty in the bathroom. No thanks
      Reply
    11. Sherry Long
      Monday, November 14th, 2011
      Empty rolls are also great to start garden seeds/seedlings in then just plant the roll and all after the last frost!
      Reply
    12. Monica
      Monday, October 17th, 2011
      I just posted my first edition of "Links of Light Bulbs"...this one is a collection of TP roll crafts! I know! I save TP rolls too!
      Hope you check it out!
      http://www.equippingcatholicfamilies.com/2011/10/links-of-light-bulbs-1.html
      I enjoy your blog!...I'm a proud skip-to-my-lou subscriber.
      Thanks for sharing and for all the work you put into your blog.
      Reply
    13. Patti P(fluffs enough)
      Sunday, September 25th, 2011
      Great idea. I can totally see myself making these with the kids.
      The Clothspring blog
      Reply
    14. textiles4you
      Saturday, September 10th, 2011
      I just finished painting 11 of these for Halloween. Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea!
      Reply
    15. Lori
      Sunday, August 7th, 2011
      I need to start saving tp rolls again. I used to save them and use them to make "cracker" party favors. Covered them with colored or patterned tissue paper to fit with the theme of the party. Cut tissue paper to fit with a couple of inches excess for each end of the roll. Pinch one end of the tissue paper closed and tie off with curly ribbon. Use the open end to fill with small candies and treats. When full, pinch off the end and tie with curly ribbon. Kids love receiving these and pulling them open. For older kids and adults you can purchase the "poppers" that will pop when they pull it open. Have fun!
      Reply
    16. maeve
      Sunday, May 8th, 2011
      Goodness, what a great idea, my husband will go loopy, now I have to collect toilet rolls ha ha
      Reply
    17. Tiffany
      Monday, April 4th, 2011
      These are so cute and simple.
      Reply
    18. Michele
      Sunday, November 21st, 2010
      You know if you just put the lid down before you flush you won't have all those germs flying all over the bathroom.
      Reply
    19. Michele
      Sunday, November 21st, 2010
      WoW AnyMouse, you must have control issues. We are all aware of what floats around the bathroom, The inside of the roll is not a likely to have contamination problems. Some of us just enjoy making things for friends and family. Keep your phobias to yourself.
      Reply
    20. Alex K.
      Friday, November 5th, 2010
      Cute idea indeed!--used to sub in the Montessori of the private school my mother works at, and they are always looking for neat and crafty ideas such as these, but I can just see some of the parents making a fuss over the sanitary of this despite the fact that their kids eat dirt and touch just about every thing with snot infested fingers!
      Reply
    21. AnyMouse
      Thursday, October 28th, 2010
      Neat idea. I would use paper towel rolls, rather than used Toilet Paper Rolls, considering the (e coli, strep, staph, parasites, cholera, salmonella, listeria ...) GERM and BACTERIA factor, from anything originating next to a TOILET. Especially, when mixing it up with kids, toys, and edible / food items - like candy. Maybe place gifts and candy in a sterile cellophane bag - before placing inside of tube?

      It looks time, expense and labor intensive. By the time one purchases the paint, and puts in the time, and work effort, one might as well have purchased a ready made, sterile gift box/bag.
      Reply
    22. ...love Maegan
      Thursday, October 21st, 2010
      CUTE!!!!!! so clever!
      Reply
    23. creativejewishmom/Sara
      Saturday, October 9th, 2010
      this is a brilliant idea! I sent one of my kids to the store to buy some toilet paper, and all they had was blue....the big surprise was that the inside of the tubes are also blue! Imagine my luck! So this is a perfect project for some little Chanukah treat boxes, thanks so much. I'm going to link to this right now on my international crafty linking party, hope that's okay, my readers are gonna love it! all the best, and thanks so much for sharing!
      Reply
    24. zoila Maza Tinoco
      Saturday, October 9th, 2010
      Saludos, me encantan estas manualidades.
      Reply
    25. Katie @ Riddlelove
      Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
      Annnnnd.... bookmarked!
      Reply
    26. Amanda
      Sunday, September 12th, 2010
      I saw this idea on the show "She's Crafty" but they used contact paper. I really like the idea of painting better. I used your photo and how to on my blog and linked both back to you. Thanks so much for posting this.
      Reply
    27. Evil1
      Monday, September 6th, 2010
      It's a really great idea, but somehow I find it disturbing that you can still tell it's made from a toilet paper roll... I really appreciate the craftsmanship, but I'll never make those, since I'd feel like I'm insulting the person I'd give this to.
      Drat... Maybe I'll try this by covering it up with tin foil or something... So it won't show it's true nature...
      Reply
    28. Robyn
      Monday, September 6th, 2010
      EWWWWW toilet rolls! In New Zealand teachers aren't allowed to use toilet rolls in classrooms because of hygiene concerns. The thought of food in toiiet rolls is kind of gross. On the other hand this would be a great idea with paper towel rolls or something like that. I love the idea just not the toilet rolls.
      Reply
    29. Infarrantly Creative
      Sunday, September 5th, 2010
      Oh Cindy those are stinkin adorable. I absolutely love recycled crafts. I an thinking of all the uses for these. Thanks for always inspiring love!
      Reply
    30. Andie
      Friday, September 3rd, 2010
      NO WAY! You're going to gift a food item inside something that comes from the TOILET room, REALLY?!?

      How about using wrapping paper rolls? Don't even think about paper towel rolls from the kitchen either.
      Reply
      • cindylouh
        Monday, September 6th, 2010
        If you are concerned with germs, paper towel rolls and wrapping paper tubes would make a great substitute and can be cut to different lengths.
    31. MaryBeth
      Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
      I use to save tp rolls too till I watched a special on t.v. about all the germs that fly all over the place when people flush the toilet. I just cant stop thinking about how many germs are on the tp rolls. I cant even bring myself to save them anymore. I will try this but I will use the rolls from the kitchen paper towels, they fold just as easily, hold more items and you dont have to worry about bathroom toilet germs on the tp rolls. - THanks!!
      Reply
    32. Lisa
      Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
      I am so glad that you admited to saving toilet paper rolls! How about doing a paper making tutorial using the rolls?!
      Reply
    33. gretchen
      Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
      I am so in love with this idea!!!
      Reply
    34. Jaki
      Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
      Great idea, I'm bookmarking this for Christmas...better start saving those TP rolls now!!
      Reply
    35. Sarah
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      I loved this post! I have a blog all about things you can make from recycled materials. I hope you don't mind that I put a link to it on my blog here http://recycledtoys.blogspot.com/2010/08/recycled-pillow-box-favors-from-skip-to.html
      Thanks for the great idea!
      Reply
    36. Michelle
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      What an awesome idea!! I am going to have my first graders do this craft at Christmas time and fill the "pillows" with candy to give to their parents. I think I will also prepaint the rolls myself then let them use stickers to decorate them!!! Thanks!
      Reply
    37. Marsha
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      WOW - and I thought I was the only one who saved those things!

      S.W.A.K.
      Reply
    38. Racheli
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      this is genious!!!!!
      Reply
    39. Arin
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      I'm already such a hoarder. Every broken dish becomes a future mosaic project, every bit of old giftwrap paper becomes a future decoupage project.... I'm afraid if I start saving my used toilet paper rolls, my family will have me committed! Clever idea. I'm adding it to my list of future projects....#872!
      Reply
    40. Arin
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      ..and I thought that I was the Queen of Recycling! I think I just lost my title! (passing my crown off to you) Long live the Queen! :)
      Reply
    41. Kelley
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Clever.... I am going to have to start saving the TP rolls.
      Have a great day!
      Reply
    42. Nic
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Wow super cute idea!
      Reply
    43. Roo {NiceGirlNotes}
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Oh, go ahead, girl. This is awesome.
      Reply
    44. Candice Nutter
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Now I have a reason for all my rolls...I am a hoarder of this little suckers - have the hardest time just tossing them in the trash...hahaha
      Reply
    45. Tammy
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      These are adorable!! You are the craftiest! I think I will tuck this away for Valentine's Day, too!
      Reply
    46. Alicia
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      LOVE this idea! The little one is excited to make these once we save up some rolls.
      Reply
    47. Kendra
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      What a great idea!!!! I will never throw another toilet paper roll away!
      Reply
    48. Kyla
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      These are fantastic! Halloween . . . here we come!
      Reply
    49. KT
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Super cute! I am wondering where you found that cute dot paint brush? I always use the ends of a pencil but your brush is wayyyyy easier! :)
      Reply
    50. Aimee @ HomeSpun-Threads
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Good idea. I'm wondering if decoupage with paper or fabric would work...
      Reply
    51. kim nath
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      So super cute and clever, love this idea!
      Reply
    52. Gwen @ Gwenny Penny
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Neat idea!
      Reply
    53. audrey g.
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Super cute ideas!!!! I've got tons of paper towel rolls, my daughter is a cheerleader and we use these to throw to the crowd at games. First we wrap them w/ green tissue paper, tie one end w/ star twisty stuff ?LOL, stuff w/ candy, then tie the other end. Easy to throw and fun!!!
      Reply
    54. Charlotte
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      super cute idea for classmate favors at Halloween!
      Reply
    55. gemgirl
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      great idea for Halloween, they get some candy with out messing up the whole bowl full with stickyhands. Thanks
      Reply
    56. Jo
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Oh man, this is the BEST idea! I will start stashing tp rolls away now for making my daughters' preschool classmates little Halloween goodies. Thanks!
      Reply
    57. amy
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      What a cute idea! Now, I know what I can do with those TP and paper towel rolls I save! LOL - thanks for sharing your idea! :)
      Reply
    58. Samah
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Oh my gosh! This is wonderful ... now I'll have to start collecting toilet paper rolls again! I just worked up the nerve to throw them all out
      Reply
    59. jenn
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      GENIUS! I love.Love.LOVE this! I'm going to try it. :)
      Reply
    60. Jennie
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Great idea! These would make DARLING place cards!
      Reply
    61. Melissa Howard
      Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
      Great idea!! I have a mega stash of tp rolls right now. I keep meaning to make tp roll journals, but haven't got to it yet.
      Reply