Rainforest Animal Craft: Toilet Paper Roll Iguana
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Looking for a fun rainforest animal craft for kids? This toilet paper roll iguana craft is an easy recycled craft that combines creativity, animal learning, and hands-on fun.
Made from simple household materials like cardboard tubes, paint, and construction paper, this colorful iguana is a great addition to a rainforest unit study, animal-themed lesson, or Earth Day recycling project.
Kids love transforming everyday materials into animals, and this little iguana is a perfect way to learn about one of the rainforest’s most fascinating reptiles.
Fun Facts About Iguanas
Before making your craft, learn a few interesting facts about iguanas!
- Iguanas are reptiles.
- Most iguanas live in tropical regions of Central and South America.
- Green iguanas can grow over 6 feet long including their tails.
- Iguanas are excellent climbers and spend much of their time in trees.
- They are primarily herbivores and enjoy eating leaves, flowers, and fruit.
- Iguanas use their long tails for balance and protection.
Learning a few facts first makes the craft even more meaningful.
Supplies Needed for the Iguana Craft
- 2 toilet paper rolls
- 1 paper towel roll
- Cardboard scraps
- Green paint
- Orange construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Masking tape
- Paintbrush
Using recycled materials makes this a budget-friendly craft and a great way to encourage creative reuse.
Instructions to Make the Toilet Paper Roll Iguana Craft
Step 1: Create the Head
Take one toilet paper roll and cut a slit about 3 inches long.
Overlap the edges to form a cone shape and secure with masking tape. This becomes the iguana’s head.
On the opposite end, make a small slit so it can fit into the body section.
Step 2: Create the Body
Attach the head to the second toilet paper roll using tape.
This forms the main body of the iguana.
Step 3: Make the Tail
Using the paper towel tube, cut a slit almost all the way down, leaving about an inch uncut at the end.
Overlap the edges to create a long cone shape and tape securely.
Cut a small slit on the wider end so it can fit into the body tube.
Attach the tail to the body.
Step 4: Add the Legs
Cut four simple legs from cardboard.
Glue them onto the sides of the body.
Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on.
Step 5: Paint the Iguana
Paint the entire iguana green and allow it to dry.
Many real iguanas are shades of green, but kids can have fun creating colorful fantasy iguanas too!
Step 6: Add Details
Cut eyes and a spiky crest from orange construction paper. Paint stripes if you’d like.
Glue the crest along the back of the iguana.
Add any additional details you’d like.
What Kids Learn from This Craft
This rainforest animal craft helps children practice:
- Fine motor skills
- Scissor skills
- Following directions
- Creativity
- Animal science
- Recycling awareness
Pairing crafts with science lessons helps children remember what they learn while having fun.
Extend the Learning
Turn this simple craft into a mini rainforest lesson.
Try:
- Reading books about rainforest animals
- Locating rainforest regions on a map
- Comparing reptiles and amphibians
- Learning about rainforest habitats
- Creating a rainforest diorama
- Researching other tropical reptiles
You could even have children create a whole collection of rainforest animals from recycled materials.
Why Use Recycled Materials?
Toilet paper roll crafts are a great way to teach kids about reusing materials creatively.
Instead of throwing cardboard tubes away, children can transform them into:
- animals
- vehicles
- puppets
- STEM projects
- imaginative play props
It’s a fun introduction to sustainability and creative problem-solving.
More Animal Activities for Kids
If you enjoyed this iguana craft, try these animal-themed activities too:
- Animal Magnet Face Drawings
- Farm Animal Pattern Block Cards
- How to Draw Animals for Kids
- Look-Alike Animals Activity Pack
- Explore Animal Habitats: Printable Sorting Mats
Hands-on animal crafts are a wonderful way to combine art, science, and creativity while helping kids learn about the amazing creatures that share our world.
What a cute craft! The book looks like lots of fun!
Oh, that’s super-cool!!! Saw this via Homeschooling on the Cheap and glad I stopped by – my daughter and I will definitely be giving this a try!
This is such a cute craft idea! I featured it on the Living Montessori Now Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/LivingMontessoriNow
That is So cute! I might modify it to make a chameleon as we have a book about one that my daughter loves.
Happy to be a follower of your lovely blog. I’d love it if you wanted to follow mine too 🙂
So cute and creative….definitely going to add this to our summer to do list! Thanks for sharing on Hey Mom, Look What I Did at Adventures In Mommy Land!! Hope to see you again sometime!
He IS cute! I love the idea of combining toilet paper rolls to make something bigger than one length!
~Andrea
I love great craft books, and your iguana is adorable! Thanks for sharing with Learning Laboratory at mama smiles =)
I LOVE that iguana–I’m pinning it! I’ve always thought iguanas were cool, and I’m pretty sure if my kids played with it, it would make growling dinosaur noises! 😉 Thanks for sharing at Teach Me Tuesday!!
That’s quite unique! What a great activity to do with the kids! Thanks for sharing it with us at tip toe thru tuesday! Hope you’ll stop by and link up tomorrow too, we will be having a nice Mother’s Day giveaway!
Kim
tiarasandbowties.blogspot.com
How fun!! I love making animal crafts with my daughter. Thanks for sharing at Sharing Saturday!! I hope you are having a fabulous week!!