Introduction: Cardboard Tube Binoculars

About: I'm a freelance crafter, recipe developer, mother of 4, and lover of nature. I prefer to use recycled items whenever I can in my projects and I love working in the crafting and culinary realms!

Now that spring has arrived all sorts of new life is popping to the surface and taking to the sky. Sit down with your little explorer and create some fun binoculars to use during fun afternoons of make believe! Your kids will love this project and you'll be recycling too! You can find more kid's crafts here too!

The supplies you will need for this project are:

2 cardboard bathroom tissue tubes
1 sheet camouflage felt
Scissors
White craft glue
Craft foam to match your felt
6 rubber bands
40” piece of twine or yarn
Pen

Step 1: Cover

Lay felt, design side down, on the work surface and cut felt in half.

Step 2: Trim

Roll up the cardboard tube inside the felt, gluing as you go. Trim off excess. Repeat for the other tube.

Step 3: Cover the Ends

Cut a strip of craft foam long enough to go around the end of the tube, about 3/4” wide. Glue the strip around the end of the cardboard tube, lining up the felt seam with the craft foam strip seam.

Step 4: Secure

Secure with a rubber band. Repeat for the other tube.

Step 5: Repeat

Cut another strip long enough to go around the opposite end of the tube, only this time cut it 1/2” wide. Glue as above and secure with a rubber band.

Step 6: Finish

Place the tubes side by sides with the seams facing each other. Put a rubber band around both tubes to hold them in place.

Use a pen to poke a hole in the side of the tube, about 1/2” below the 1/2” wide craft foam strip. Insert the end of your twine into the hole from the outside of the tube. Bring it through the tube and tie a double knot. Trim off excess and gently pull the twine taut. The knot will keep the twine from coming back out through the hole. Repeat on the other side.

Pipe a generous amount of white craft glue in between the two tubes, lip over and do the other side as well. Let them dry completely, several hours or overnight, before removing the rubber bands and using your binoculars.

Step 7: All Done!

I hope you enjoy this craft with your kids and get outdoors and play! You can find more projects on my blog, Crafts by Amanda. Hope to see you there!