Toilet Paper Food

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Toilet Paper Food Sculptures (Yes, Really!)

This project is one of those classroom legends—the kind students never forget. Every time I pull it out, I get the same reaction: “Wait… we’re making food out of toilet paper?!” And the answer is always yes!

Using nothing more than toilet paper, newspaper, and masking tape, students transform ordinary supplies into ultra-realistic food sculptures. Think cupcakes with fluffy “icing,” donuts with sprinkles, or even full-on burgers complete with layers of lettuce and cheese. The magic starts with a simple armature, then we wrap and shape it with tape before layering on a smooth paper mâché-style finish using the toilet paper itself.

Pro tip: skip the scratchy, too-thin stock school toilet paper—it just shreds and sticks to everything. Splurge on the thicker, softer stuff (you’ll thank me later). Paper towels also work beautifully for texture and layering.

Once dry, it’s all about the details. Students go wild painting vibrant colors, adding glossy varnish, and inventing crazy toppings. The results are hilarious, mouth-watering, —believe it or not—totally display-worthy. Younger kids especially love seeing these go up in the classroom and can't wait till they get to do it.

Why it works: It’s tactile, hands-on, and approachable for all levels. Students think they’re just having fun, but they’re actually practicing sculptural thinking, problem-solving, and creativity with some of the simplest materials you can find. And the best part? Every single piece ends up looking completely unique.

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