Cardboard Tube Lion
2-4 Years, 4-6 Years, 6 Plus
A fun recycled craft where children create their own lion using a cardboard tube, simple paper shapes and craft materials. It’s a lovely activity for combining creativity, fine motor skills and imaginative play.
Learn what you need to do for this activity
Learn what is needed in order to do this activity
Learn how you can adapt this activity and reuse
Learn the Benefits of this activity
What do you do:
Cut a cardboard circle for the lion’s face.
Cut yellow and orange strips for the mane.
Glue the strips around the circle.
Add the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and whiskers.
Attach the face to a cardboard tube.
Add two simple paws.
Attach a pipe cleaner for the tail.
Add a small tuft and leave to dry.
What's Needed:
Cardboard tube
Brown or kraft card
Yellow and orange paper or card
Googly eyes or paper eyes
Yellow pipe cleaner
Black marker
Child-safe scissors
Glue
Optional: green paper for a grass base
How to Adapt
For younger toddlers: Pre-cut all the pieces and let them focus on choosing, positioning and sticking.
For older children: Encourage them to cut their own mane, draw facial features or add extra details such as claws and patterns.
Extend the play: Create more cardboard-tube animals to make a jungle, build a lion’s den, practise roaring and moving like a lion, or use the finished character in stories and small-world play.
Benefits of the Activity
Fine motor skills – strengthens little hands and fingers.
Hand-eye coordination – supports careful placement.
Creativity – encourages individual expression.
Shape recognition – explores simple shapes and forms.
Language development – builds animal vocabulary.
