Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

Most of your holiday festivities are over but the kids are still home.  Sure, their gifts are certainly keeping them busy, but inevitably, the dreaded “I’m bored,” declaration will come!  Now is the time to get busy crafting, fashioning new out of old and maybe even adding in a little bit of excitement about returning to school by making a Duct Tape Art Tray to house art or school supplies.  It may also encourage your child to clean up their desk and room a bit, which is always a plus!

The supplies are simple items you likely have around the home:

1 empty 8 x 6 box (or a shoebox size)
4-8 toilet paper rolls (or 2-4 paper towel rolls halved)
duct tape
scissors

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

First, select your duct tape colors/patterns.  You can use standard silver duct tape or purchase colored duct tape with optional prints.

Next, using strips of duct tape, cover the bottom and sides of the empty box.  If you prefer, also cover the interior of the box with duct tape.  Be sure to overlap the edges of your duct tape for complete coverage.

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

Cover each toilet paper roll with strips of duct tape in the color of your choice.  I chose two alternating colors to give the design more interest, covering two rolls in green sparkle and two rolls in black (the same color as the base.)  Be sure to overlap duct tape on one end of the roll to form an edge (as illustrated above.) 

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

Once all of the toilet paper rolls have been covered in duct tape, add trim if desired.  I used thin teal and purple glitter duct tape to add lines to the rolls (as pictured below.)  These rolls will become your pencil, pen, marker, scissor (and so on) holders for your art tray.

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray
Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

If desired, add strips of duct tape to create patterns on the art tray box, as well (as pictured below.) 

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray

And viola!  You have all your components ready to assemble!  Use strips of duct tape to secure the toilet paper rolls to the inside of the box, or allow them to free-stand if you are filling the box with rolls.  As I lined the back end with four rolls rather than filling the box with roll holders, I used duct tape to secure the bottoms in a hinge-like fashion.

Find a clean spot on your desk or in a play area and fill your art tray with art, craft or school supplies.  When you are finished with this craft, encourage your child to use their art tray supplies to create more fun crafts!

Duct Tape Crafts: #DIY Art Tray
Tags: Crafts
by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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Comments

    • Linda A. Kinsman
    • December 30, 2014
    Reply

    What a cool craft idea! My girls would love this. Where did you find the thick sparkle duct tape?

      • Barb Webb
      • January 10, 2015
      Reply

      Found the sparkle duct tape at our local Dollar General, Linda. Guessing it’s probably available at Michael’s and possibly Walmart, too.

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