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A fun and simple Toilet Paper Roll Space Shuttle that kids of all ages will love when learning about outer space and flying to space.

We always end up with tons of toilet paper tubes in our trash cans. Granted, I recycle them whenever I remember, I always want to use them to create fun and easy crafts first. Using a cardboard roll and some colored paper, I made a space shuttle with the kids, and it was a blast! Check out this adorable Toilet Paper Roll Space Shuttle that kids will love. It goes perfectly with our Astronaut Craft!

Supplies for Toilet Paper Roll Space Shuttle

Besides the glitter stars, you probably have all the supplies you need at your house. If you craft often with your young children, you most likely have construction paper to use, and I KNOW you have toilet paper tubes somewhere. Here’s what you need!

Toiler Paper Roll
Free Shuttle Template
Cardstock in white, orange, red, and black
Glitter Stars blue and red (I used mini ones)
Black Sharpie
Glue sticks or hot glue

If you don’t want to use glitter stars, have the kids draw their own decorations on their space shuttle using markers or crayons. It isn’t necessary to print the templates either. You can create your flame patterns by drawing fun squiggles and designs with a pencil and markers. The flame cutouts are just simpler if you don’t want to test your hand at drawing.

Instructions for Space Shuttle

The steps for completing this toilet paper tube craft are easy! Grab your cardboard tubes and follow these step-by-step directions. Then, have fun flying your shuttles around the room.

Start by wrapping the paper roll in the white paper.
Cut out the space shuttle template and add the tip of the shuttle using a black Sharpie.
Draw a straight line near the bottom with two lines perpendicular to them.
Glue on your fire boosters (cut out from orange and red cardstock).
Finally, decorate with glitter stars if you wish.

This fun project has super simple steps kids of all ages can follow. If you want the pieces to stick really well, use a hot glue gun to stick the cardstock onto the tp roll. Older kids will be great at assisting with this task or helping while you man the hot glue.

If you don’t want your space shuttle to be white, you can also wrap it in aluminum foil to make it shiny and make it appear like a metal rocket. If you want the flames to look more realistic, try using colorful tissue paper to make them. Just glue them to the end of the tube for blastoff!

My kids like using puffy paint too! If you have some lying around, let your kids decorate their space crafts using 3D paints and designs. It’s an easy peasy way to let them add their own twist and creativity to the space crafts.

When to Use this Space Shuttle Craft

There are plenty of times this craft comes in handy, but here are a few ideas that may be beneficial.

Use the craft on a rainy day to create some fun indoors.
Grab the materials when learning about the letter S as a letter of the alphabet.
Discuss the SH sound in the word shuttle and use the craft for fun.
Add this craft to your lesson plans during a unit on the solar system.
Hang them from the ceiling for a space-themed classroom, party, or bedroom!

No matter how you use fun space crafts like this, kids are sure to have a great time. There’s something so special about outer space. Kids are intrigued, and there’s so much to explore. Add in some fun children’s books, and you have a whole day of activities planned.

More Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

Sometimes I collect a bunch of empty toilet paper rolls, and we spend a day creating things with them. We use our imagination and extra crafts supplies lying around the house. We have made toilet paper roll robots, an adorable Olaf craft, and even easy insects.

I hope you and your kids enjoy this amazing craft. It’s a great way to study outer space, NASA, the solar system, and how machines work. Add these fun ideas to your lesson plans, crafty morning, or rainy day activities, and enjoy some quality time with your kids!