Easy Upcycled Octopus

Under 30 min.

All Ages

What Will You Make?

Using a toilet paper roll and common art supplies, make your own friendly octopus.

What Will You Learn?

Campers will practice informal and formal measurement math skills. Younger campers will benefit from working with scissors and developing fine motor skills.

Make Your Octopus

Cut Construction Paper

Mark a line on the tube. Make a mark on the opposite side as well. Place the tube against the paper, lining up your marks with the top edge of the paper. Line up the left edge of the tube with the left edge of the paper. Mark the right edge of the tube on the paper. Slowly roll the tube, marking the right edge of the tube on the paper several times as you go. When the marks on the inside of tube hits the paper again, make a vertical mark on the paper. Use the ruler to draw lines, taking care to add 1/4 in (6 mm) to the length so that it overlaps when the tube is wrapped. Your piece will be approximately 6 inches long by about 4 1/2 inches wide, depending on your tube.

Wrap the Tube

Cover the construction paper with glue. Carefully wrap the tube in the paper, taking care to keep the paper straight. Gently press the paper to the tube over the entire surface. Make sure the paper overlaps in the back. Use extra glue to make sure it is secure. Allow to dry.

Cut the Tentacles

If desired, wrap a rubber band around the tube, about 2/3 from the bottom of the tube, about 3 inches form the bottom. Otherwise, use your ruler to measure from the bottom and mark several points to create a line around the circumference of the tube. This demarks the head of the octopus from the body. Cut 8 tentacles, each about 3/4″ wide.

Complete the Octopus

Gently fold the tentacles out from the body. Using your fingers or the barrel of your marker, curl the ends of the tentacles. Decorate the face as desired.

What Is Happening Here?

Measurement and Data

This fun art project also gives campers the opportunity to define measurement terms such as length and width while using an informal method of measuring the paper. Of course, if you want campers to practice with rulers, you can have them measure the length of the tube with a ruler to determine how much paper is needed. Use dressmakers measuring tape to determine the width around the tube.

Older students can calculate the circumference of the tube by measuring the diameter. You can even have them take formal measurements first, make predictions for length and width, and then use the informal measurement method shown to test their predictions.

And of course, it’s an opportunity to practice the old adage, “Measure twice. Cut once.”

What's Next?

Mix It Up

Use pictures of other sea creatures to design your own upcycled animals. Make a mobile by hanging your creatures from a coat hanger, using strips of paper, ribbon or fabric as seaweed.