Unleash a bit of playful, not-too-spooky, ancient Egypt onto your craft table! This simple and delightful project transforms everyday cardboard tubes into a family of charming mummies, making it the perfect, budget-friendly activity to spark Halloween creativity. It’s an excellent way to upcycle, encourage imaginative play, and create adorable decorations that are just the right amount of creepy-cute for little ones.
Best of all, this craft requires minimal supplies and is easy enough for even the youngest crafters (with a little help). Let’s get wrapping!
Materials You’ll Need
Gathering your supplies is half the fun. You likely have everything you need already:
- Empty Cardboard Tubes: Toilet paper or paper towel rolls are perfect.
- White or Beige Gauze Bandage or Cheesecloth: This gives the classic mummy texture.
- An Assortment of Googly Eyes: The wackier, the better!
- Scissors: Always used with adult supervision.
- Glue Stick or Craft Glue: Easy-to-use and kid-friendly.
- Black or Orange Construction Paper (Optional): For creating bases, hats, or other accents.
Optional Extras for Personalities:
- Yarn or doll hair for wild hairstyles
- Miniature hats, bows, or Halloween stickers
- Markers or paints to pre-color your tube
- LED tea lights for a magical, ghostly glow
Step-by-Step Method: Creating Your Mummy Family
Follow these simple steps to bring your ancient Egyptian crew to life.
1. Lay the Foundation
Begin by claiming your crafting territory. Cover your table with newspaper or a wipeable cloth—this can get delightfully messy with stray bits of gauze and glue!
2. Shape Your Subject
Select your cardboard tube. A toilet paper roll is perfect for a standard mummy. For a mummy family of varying heights, cut a paper towel tube into smaller sections. For an extra-aged, archaeological look, you can paint the tube a light beige or brown first and let it dry completely.
3. The Sacred Wrapping Ritual
Cut your gauze or cheesecloth into long strips, about an inch wide. Anchor one end to the top of the tube with a dab of glue. Now, the fun begins—wrap! Wind the gauze around and around, slightly overlapping each layer. For an authentic, unraveled look, leave small, random gaps and vary the tightness of your wraps. Secure the loose end with another spot of glue when you’re finished.
4. Bring Them to Life (The Fun Part!)
Peek through the gauze wraps and choose the perfect spot for the eyes. Glue your chosen googly eyes in place. Don’t be afraid to mix sizes for a silly or surprised expression! Pro Tip: For a spooky nighttime glow, use glow-in-the-dark googly eyes.
5. Unleash Their Personalities
This is where your mummies become unique. Give one a yarn mohawk, another a tiny paper bow tie, or a third a drawn-on mischievous smile. Add a witch hat or a superhero cape cut from construction paper. The more character, the better!
6. Stage the Exhibit
Your mummies are ready for their debut! Create a mini scene for them on a shelf or inside a decorated shoebox diorama. Think “spooky museum” or “midnight graveyard” using black paper, drawn-on stars, and tiny pumpkins.
Recipe Tips for the Perfect Mummy
- Textured Gauze: Gently tear the edges of your cheesecloth or gauze for a more frayed, ancient appearance.
- Tea-Stained Antiquing: For a truly ancient look, soak white gauze in a cup of cool, strong tea for a few minutes, then let it dry completely. This gives your mummies a perfectly aged, brownish hue.
- A Family Affair: Make it a group project! Have everyone create their own mummy character and line them up for a hilarious “Mummy Family Portrait.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What’s the best glue to use with kids for this craft?
A: A washable glue stick or white school glue is perfect. It’s easy for little hands to control and cleans up with soap and water.
Q: My gauze keeps slipping off. How can I make it stick better?
A: Ensure you use a good dab of glue at the start and end of your wrapping. You can also add a small dot of glue underneath the gauze every few wraps if needed. Using tackier craft glue instead of a glue stick can also help.
Q: Can I make these mummies glow?
A: Absolutely! For a safe and magical effect, place a battery-operated LED tea light inside the tube before you start wrapping. The light will shine softly through the gauze.
Q: How can I extend this craft into a learning activity?
A: Once they’re done, encourage kids to name their mummies and invent a short, funny adventure for them. This sparks storytelling and creative language skills.
Conclusion
This DIY Toilet Paper Roll Mummy craft is a testament to how the simplest materials can inspire the greatest creativity. It’s a low-cost, high-fun activity that results in unique Halloween decorations and treasured playthings. So, gather your empty rolls, unleash your imagination, and get ready to create a spooky, silly squad of your very own. Happy crafting