Are your little ones fascinated by cute animals and fun paper crafts? Then this adorable red panda toilet paper roll craft is a perfect project to try! Using an empty toilet paper roll, colourful craft paper, glue, and a few simple craft supplies, kids can turn an everyday cardboard tube into a cute little red panda.

This easy red panda craft for kids is a fun way to introduce children to wildlife while encouraging creativity and imagination. It is also a great recycled craft because you can give an empty toilet paper roll a new life instead of throwing it away.

This paper red panda is especially fun for animal-themed lessons, school craft activities, jungle or woodland-themed projects, or simply as a cute homemade decoration. Kids can follow the step-by-step instructions and use the printable template pieces to create the red panda’s head, ears, legs, body, and fluffy striped tail.

So gather your craft supplies and let’s make this adorable toilet paper roll red panda craft together!

How to Make a Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Supplies You Will Need

Coloured craft paper
1 empty toilet paper roll or cardboard tube
Scissors
Craft glue
Pencil for tracing the template
Black Sharpie
Brown Sharpie
Red panda craft template

Download Free Template For Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Click to download the free printable template.

Step 1: Prepare the Paper Patterns

Start by gathering your coloured craft papers and red panda template.

For the main parts of the red panda, use orange craft paper for the body, head and tail patterns. Use white paper for the lower part of the face, outer ears and eyebrows. Choose pink paper for the inner ears and brown paper for the legs, tail details and lower section of the body.

Trace each template pattern onto the appropriate coloured paper using a pencil. Carefully cut out all the pieces with scissors.

If children are making this craft, younger children may need help when using scissors.

Step 2: Assemble the Face and Ears

Take the pink inner ear pieces and glue them onto the matching white outer ear pieces.

Next, attach the white lower-face piece to the orange head pattern. Press the pieces gently so the glue sticks properly and allow them a moment to dry.

You should now start to see the cute face of your little paper red panda taking shape!

Step 3: Attach the Ears

Apply a small amount of craft glue to the bottom sections of the ear pieces.

Attach the ears to the top of the orange head pattern, positioning one ear on each side. Make sure they are evenly placed so your red panda has a balanced appearance.

Step 4: Add the Face Details

Using a brown Sharpie, draw the characteristic brown markings along both sides of the white lower section of the red panda’s face.

These simple lines add extra detail and help make your paper craft look more like a real red panda.

Step 5: Add the Eyes and Eyebrows

Now it’s time to give your red panda some personality!

Glue the eye pieces onto the orange section of the head. Then attach the white eyebrow pieces above the eyes.

You can slightly adjust the position of the eyes and eyebrows to give your red panda a happy, curious, or surprised expression.

Step 6: Draw the Nose and Mouth

Use a black Sharpie to carefully draw the red panda’s nose and mouth.

A small triangular or rounded nose works well, followed by a simple curved line for the mouth.

Be careful when using permanent markers around younger children and supervise them during this step.

Step 7: Decorate the Tail and Attach the Legs

Take the brown Sharpie and draw alternating stripes across the orange tail piece. Red pandas are known for their long, bushy tails with ring-like markings, so these stripes help recreate their distinctive appearance.

Next, take the brown leg pieces and glue them along the middle section of the lower body pattern. Make sure the legs are facing downward and are positioned evenly.

Step 8: Prepare the Toilet Paper Roll

Now it’s time to turn the empty toilet paper roll into the body of your red panda!

Cut a piece of orange craft paper large enough to wrap around the entire toilet paper roll. Apply glue to the paper and carefully wrap it around the cardboard tube.

Smooth the paper with your fingers as you go to reduce wrinkles and make sure the edges are securely attached.

Step 9: Attach the Body Pieces

Take the lower body pattern with the attached legs and glue it along the bottom section of the orange paper covering the toilet paper roll.

Then take the completed red panda head and attach it to the opposite side of the roll, above the legs.

At this stage, your little red panda should begin to look like a three-dimensional animal!

Step 10: Cover and Secure the Toilet Paper Roll

Continue wrapping the prepared orange paper around the empty toilet paper roll until the cardboard tube is completely covered.

Use craft glue to secure the paper in place. Hold the edges down for a few seconds so they stay attached while the glue dries.

Make sure the paper is firmly attached before moving on to the final step.

Step 11: Add the Fluffy Tail

Finally, attach the striped red panda tail to either side of the toilet paper roll.

Position the tail so that it extends slightly away from the body. You can gently bend the tail to give the finished craft a more three-dimensional look.

And that’s it! Your adorable red panda toilet paper roll craft is finished. 🐼🧡

Fun Facts About Red Pandas for Kids

While you’re making this cute red panda craft, why not learn a few fun facts about these fascinating animals?

🐼 Red Pandas Are Not Giant Pandas

Even though they share the word “panda” in their name, red pandas and giant pandas are not closely related. Red pandas belong to their own animal family called Ailuridae.

🎋 They Love Bamboo

Bamboo makes up most of a red panda’s diet. According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, bamboo accounts for about 95% of their diet, although red pandas may also eat fruits, grasses, roots, insects and other foods.

🌳 Red Pandas Are Excellent Climbers

Red pandas spend lots of time in trees. Their flexible ankles help them climb, and they can even climb down tree trunks headfirst!

🦊 Their Tails Help Them Balance

A red panda’s long, bushy tail helps it balance while moving through trees. Their thick tails can also help keep them warm in cold weather.

🌅 They Are Most Active Around Dawn and Dusk

Red pandas are crepuscular, which means they are generally most active around dawn and dusk. So if you’re imagining your little paper red panda exploring a forest, early morning or evening would be its adventure time!

🧡 Red Pandas Need Our Help

Red pandas are endangered, and habitat loss, habitat degradation and other human-related threats have contributed to their decline. Learning about wildlife and finding ways to reduce waste and protect natural habitats are simple ways children can begin thinking about conservation.

What Can Kids Do With Their Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft?

Once your Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft is finished, don’t just put it away! There are lots of fun ways children can use their creation.

🏡 Make a Cute Decoration

Place your Red Pands Toilet Paper Roll Craft on a bookshelf, bedroom shelf, desk, or craft table as a cute homemade decoration.

📚 Use It for Storytelling

Kids can create a whole animal story around their red panda toilet paper roll craft. They could make a paper forest using green craft paper and create other cardboard-tube animals to join their story.

🏫 Try It as a School Project

This craft can be a fun addition to an animal, wildlife, forest, or Asia-themed school project. Children can make the red panda while learning about its habitat, diet and behaviour.

🌲 Create a Red Panda Habitat

Turn the craft into a larger activity by making a mini red panda habitat from a cardboard box. Add paper trees, bamboo, rocks and leaves to create a little forest scene.

♻️ Enjoy a Recycled Craft Activity

Because this project uses an empty toilet paper roll, it is also a simple way to introduce children to the idea of reuse and recycling. Instead of throwing away a cardboard tube, children can transform it into something creative.

Tips for Making This Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Use thicker craft paper if possible because it makes the individual pieces sturdier.
Allow the glue to dry between steps so the pieces don’t move around.
Adults can help younger children with cutting.
Use a black marker carefully when drawing the facial features.
Make several red pandas with different facial expressions for a fun little family.
Pair this craft with a red panda storybook or a wildlife learning activity for an educational craft session.

Final Thoughts on Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft

This adorable red panda toilet paper roll craft is a fun combination of creativity, recycling and animal learning. With just an empty cardboard tube, coloured paper, glue and a few simple supplies, kids can create their very own cute paper red panda.

I especially love crafts like this because children aren’t just following instructions—they’re also learning about an amazing animal while developing their cutting, tracing, gluing and drawing skills.

If you enjoyed making this easy red panda craft for kids, don’t forget to explore more fun paper crafts, recycled crafts and animal crafts on Arty Crafty Bee. You can find more creative similar crafts here.

Happy crafting, little artists! 🐼🧡✂️

How to Make an Adorable Red Panda Toilet Paper Roll Craft for Kids