Transforming simple cardboard tubes into vibrant towers of art is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Grab those empty paper towel rolls you’ve been saving, because we’re diving into a creative project inspired by the incredible artistry of Native American totem poles. This craft blends recycling, painting, and a gentle introduction to the power of symbols in art, offering a hands-on experience for young creators.
Making your own paper towel roll totem pole isn’t just about painting cardboard; it’s an exercise in imagination and storytelling. Think of each roll as a chapter in a story you create. What symbols represent your family, your interests, or your favorite things? This project encourages kids to think symbolically and express themselves visually, all while using materials readily available at home. It’s a wonderful, low-cost activity that yields impressive results.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you start building your tower, let’s get everything ready. You probably have most of these items already:
- Empty paper towel rolls (toilet paper rolls work too, for shorter segments)
- Non-toxic paints (acrylics or tempera work well) in various colors
- Paintbrushes (a mix of sizes is helpful)
- Scissors
- Glue (white school glue or a glue stick)
- Water container (for rinsing brushes)
- Paper towels or rags (for cleanup)
- Newspaper or a protective covering for your workspace
- Optional: Construction paper, feathers, googly eyes, markers, yarn for extra details
Crafting Your Totem Pole: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace and Rolls
Art projects can get messy, so cover your table with newspaper or an old tablecloth. Have your water cup and paper towels handy. Decide how many segments (rolls) your totem pole will have. Three or four paper towel rolls stacked usually makes a good height, but feel free to adjust. You can also cut the rolls into smaller sections if you prefer more intricate layering.
Step 2: Design Your Symbols
This is where the storytelling begins! Real totem poles, created by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, feature specific crests and figures that represent ancestry, stories, or significant events. For this craft, we are drawing inspiration from the idea of using symbols, not replicating sacred cultural items. Encourage kids to think about symbols that are meaningful to them.
What animals do they like? An owl might represent wisdom, a lion might mean courage, a dog loyalty. What are their hobbies? A paintbrush for art, a musical note for music, a star for dreams. What represents their family? Maybe a heart, or a simple drawing of family members. Sketch out some ideas on paper first. Keep the designs relatively simple, as painting on a curved surface can be tricky.
Step 3: Paint the Base Coats
Once you have your designs, start painting the base colors onto each paper towel roll segment. You might want one roll to be primarily blue, another green, another brown, depending on the symbols you plan to add. Let the base coats dry completely. Applying a second coat can make the colors richer and more opaque.
Step 4: Add the Symbolic Details
Now for the fun part: painting your chosen symbols onto the dried base coats. Use smaller brushes for finer details. Outline shapes first, then fill them in. Don’t worry about perfection; the goal is creative expression! If painting details feels too challenging, you can also draw symbols with permanent markers once the paint is dry, or cut shapes from construction paper and glue them on.
Step 5: Create Extra Features (Optional)
Want to add some three-dimensional elements? Cut wing shapes from construction paper or thin cardboard (like a cereal box) and glue them to the sides of a segment representing a bird. A small paper cone can become a beak. Yarn can be glued on for hair or fur texture. Let your imagination run wild, using extra materials to bring your symbols to life.
Step 6: Assemble Your Totem Pole
Once all the paint and glue on your individual segments are completely dry, it’s time to stack them up! Decide on the order you want your symbols displayed. Apply a generous ring of glue around the top rim of the bottom segment and carefully place the next segment on top, pressing gently. Repeat until all your segments are stacked. Make sure the pole stands straight before the glue sets. You might need to hold it for a minute or two.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Let the assembled totem pole dry thoroughly, preferably overnight, to ensure it’s stable. You can leave it as is, or apply a clear sealant spray (like Mod Podge spray, with adult supervision in a well-ventilated area) to protect the paint and give it a slight sheen. Find a special place to display your unique creation!
A Note on Symbols and Inspiration
Historically, totem poles carved by First Nations artists are much more than decorative objects. They are monumental carvings rich with specific cultural meaning, lineage, and history unique to the Nations and families who carve and raise them. The symbols used have deep, established significance within those specific cultures.
When we do this craft, it’s essential to understand we are creating a personal art project inspired by the concept of symbolic storytelling poles, not making an authentic totem pole. We use symbols that are meaningful to us personally or draw inspiration from general animal associations (like the broad idea of an eagle representing freedom or a bear representing strength) rather than attempting to copy specific Indigenous crests or figures, which would be inappropriate.
Important Note on Cultural Respect: This craft project is intended as a fun, creative activity inspired by the visual form of totem poles. It is not meant to replicate or represent authentic Native American cultural practices or specific tribal symbols, which hold deep significance. Approach this activity with respect, focusing on personal creativity and the general idea of using symbols to tell a story.
Making it Personal and Meaningful
The real magic of this craft lies in making it personal. Instead of just painting generic animals, encourage deeper thought:
- Family Symbols: What makes your family special? Maybe a symbol for shared laughter (a smiley face?), a favorite family activity (a game controller, a hiking boot?), or a representation of home.
- Personal Strengths: What is your child good at? A book for reading, a pencil for writing, running shoes for speed, building blocks for engineering minds.
- Favorite Things: Symbols for favorite foods, colors, seasons, or places can add a truly unique touch. A simple sun, a snowflake, a flower, or a wave can represent these.
- Abstract Designs: Not everything needs to be a recognizable figure. Bold stripes, dots, zig-zags, and swirls can represent energy, calmness, excitement, or mystery. Mix these abstract patterns with your chosen symbols.
Discussing these ideas before painting helps make the final creation much more meaningful than simply copying pictures. It becomes a personal story told through art, using the paper towel roll structure as the canvas.
Extending the Learning and Creativity
This craft can be a starting point for further exploration. Consider reading age-appropriate stories that celebrate different cultures and art forms from around the world. Look at pictures of different types of monumental art or symbolic decorations – stained glass windows, Egyptian hieroglyphs, family crests – to see how symbols are used universally in human expression.
You could also experiment with different materials. What if you covered the rolls in textured paper before painting? What about using natural elements like twigs or leaves (glued securely) as additions? The possibilities for creative adaptation are endless.
A Tower of Your Own Story
Creating a paper towel roll totem pole is more than just a painting project; it’s an opportunity for kids to think about symbolism, express their individuality, and build something impressive from simple recycled materials. It encourages storytelling through visual art and results in a unique piece that children can be proud of. Remember to focus on personal meaning and respectful inspiration, allowing creativity to guide the process. Enjoy watching those simple cardboard tubes transform into a colorful tower reflecting your child’s own unique world!
