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How to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll

May 9, 2016 by Kate 21 Comments

Do you know how to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll? They are seriously very easy for children to make and wonderful way to help children develop their oral motor skills. This adorable handmade toy will have kids playing and engaging in pretend play and would be suitable to make with kids for Chinese New Year. 

How to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll

Children will not be able to resist making and blowing through this fire breathing dragon. If you’re a subscriber to my blog I’m sure you are aware of my passion for simple homemade toys. I always feel there is something very rewarding about making a toy for a child or having them make it and experience the joy of playing with it afterwards. With that in mind, I’m so excited to share with you this adorable little craft and teach you how to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll. It’s super simple and lots of fun for kids. 

Recommended age: 3 years + 
(Active supervision is required at all times) 

How to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll

You will need – 

  • Cardboard tube
  • Coloured paper or colouring penciles
  • Glue / Tape
  • Tissue paper
  • Pompoms
  • Google eyes Making dragon craft using toilet roll

Depending on how much time you have for things to dry, you might like to have your child decorate a toilet roll cardboard tube with coloured pencils or crayons (above left). Otherwise, you might like to cover the tube in some coloured paper (above right).  tearing paper for fine motor While the coloured paper was drying we went about making the fire for our fire breathing dragon. I collected some tissue paper in red, yellow and orange and had Possum (aged 4 years) to use her fine motors skills and tear it up into long strips. Each strip was probably about 20cm long.  Have you ever torn tissue paper? It’s actually a little harder than tearing regular paper as it’ much thinner and requires a little more effort to keep it from breaking short. It’s a really great challenge, especially for older children.  tearing tissue paper Laying out one long strip of masking tape with the sticky side up, I had Possum press and stick the ends of the colour tissue paper strips to it. 

Oral Motor Skills

Do you know much about oral motor development? It is developing the muscles of the lips, cheeks, tongue, hard and soft pallet of the face. These muscles are used when children blow bubbles, drink through a straw and more. I’m not an occupational therapist, but it came to my attention recently that children in fact need to develop oral motor skills as much as fine motor skills. It helps their language development and ability to do simple tasks that many of us would not even question. 

Making dragon from toilet roll and paper Once we had layered the sticky tape with the strips of coloured tissue paper I curled the masking tape and created a tube so that air could pass through it when it was blown. I then added some glue to the inside of the toilet roll and placed the ‘fire’ just inside one end.  You might also like to add additional masking tape to the inside of the roll for extra support.  goggle eyes on dragon Using a few dabs of glue we attached two pompoms for the eyes. I’ve also seen others add extra pompoms for the nostrils too, which looks cute. Possum and I decided to just use the pompoms for the eyes.  Dragon toilet roll craft that's fun for kids to make and blow into. And as the final step, simply add some large googly eyes and you’re done! What an adorable fire breathing dragon craft. It’s so simple, fun to make and play with. blowing fire breathing dragon craftOf course there are many, many benefits to encouraging children to use toys that require blowing. The facts are that children who develop blowing skills have a greater sensory awareness around their mouth which can mean they have better control over regulating their breathing, improvement language skills and muscle tone and endurance.  

Chinese new year fire breathing dragon craft using a toilet roll

Aside from all the amazing developmental benefits to getting children to use toys that require them to blow, this is such an adorable craft that children will love making and playing with. Once you know how to make a fire breathing dragon using a cardboard toilet roll you can adjust it to create whatever animal or mythical creature your child likes! Of course the fire breathing dragon could be fun to make around Chinese New Year. 

What other animals or mythical creatures can you think to make? 

Other awesome ideas you’ll go crazy over –   

 cardboard shape stamps using paint  Musical shakers using toilet rolls and wash tape. Simple and fun activity for children who are bored or need help with their fine motor development.     game blowing pom pom along tape  

 

Follow Kate @ LaughingKidsLearn’s board Laughing Kids Learn on Pinterest.

Filed Under: 3 - 5 years, 5 - 10 years, activities for preschoolers, Art & Craft, Celebrate, Craft Tagged With: animal, blowing, chinese new year, craft, preschool, toddlers, toilet roll

Comments

  1. kate @ livinglovinglaughing says

    May 9, 2016 at 1:44 pm

    These are so cute and the kids would loooooove blowing through them too – great idea ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 9, 2016 at 10:35 pm

      Lots of fun and something all ages can try out. Thanks Kate. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. Kate says

    May 9, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    So cool!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 9, 2016 at 10:35 pm

      Thanks Kate. It was lots of fun to make. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says

    May 10, 2016 at 9:35 am

    This is so cute! I can’t wait to do things like this with little Will! Just you make sure you’re still blogging on this fab website in a few years!!!!! Otherwise I’ll be totally lost!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 10, 2016 at 1:01 pm

      Oh you’re too kind Lucy. Thank you. This dragon was so much fun. It has been used daily since we put him together. Hope all is well. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Jayanthi says

    May 10, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    So nice and very interesting stuff and had fun with my kids

    Reply
  5. Jayanthi says

    May 10, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    So nice and very interesting stuff and I think it’s a great idea

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 12, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      Thank you so kindly Jayanthi. I really appreciate your comment. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  6. Kelly says

    May 13, 2016 at 9:09 am

    What a fun dragon! I know my kids would love to make these. I will show them the photos and watch them get inspired ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 13, 2016 at 10:23 am

      Thank you Kelly. I appreciate your kind comments.

      Reply
  7. Franki Hobson says

    May 21, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    Awesome ideas on your site Kate!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      May 22, 2016 at 1:18 pm

      Thank you so kindly Franki. We have lots of fun. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. Viv says

    June 10, 2016 at 2:15 am

    These would be great when a child needs to relax and take a deep breath. Of course they would each have their own. Thanks for a great idea.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      June 10, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      Viv you’re a genius. What a fantastic idea!!! I think this could certainly benefit a child who needs some relaxation time. Much appreciate your comment. Have a lovely end to your week.

      Reply

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Hello and welcome!
My name is Kate and I am a mum to two little girls, Possum and Boo. We have lots of fun together learning with play at home and are pleased to share some of what we do with you.
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