Top Hacks to Stop Kids Rolling Toilet Paper Off the Roll

If you’ve ever walked into the bathroom only to find your toilet paper in a fluffy mountain on the floor—or trailing like a party streamer down the hallway—you’re not alone. Parents everywhere know the struggle. For some reason, toddlers and curious kids are drawn to a toilet roll like moths to a flame. It spins! It unravels! It makes a mess! What’s not to love (for them, anyway)?

But if you're tired of wasting good bamboo toilet paper and cleaning up endless rolls off the floor, we’ve got you covered. Here are the best toilet paper hacks to stop your cheeky little ones from turning your loo into a snowstorm of TP.

1. Flip the Roll (Yes, Really)

One of the simplest and most surprisingly effective toilet paper hacks? Turn the roll around.

Instead of the paper hanging over the front (the “over” method), switch it to the back (“under” method). This makes it slightly harder for little hands to get a good spin going, especially if they're just slapping at it for fun.

It won’t solve all your TP troubles, but for many parents, this one little change slows things down enough to save a few rolls. Plus, it’s quick, free, and you don’t need any special tools.

2. Use a Rubber Band or Hair Tie as a Brake

Got a spare hair tie, elastic band or even a silicone wristband lying around? Pop it around the outside of the roll, over the paper. This adds a bit of resistance when the roll spins, making it harder (and less fun) to unravel.

Just make sure it’s not too tight, or the paper will tear too easily when you actually need to use it. This toilet roll trick is a crowd fave for being low-effort and surprisingly effective.

3. Swap to a Vertical Holder

Most traditional toilet paper holders are horizontal, which makes it easy to flick and spin. But vertical holders? Not so much.

Switching to a freestanding vertical holder or wall-mounted version that holds the roll upright makes it trickier for little hands to get the same spinning momentum. Bonus: it can look stylish and modern too!

If you don’t want to replace the holder completely, even just setting the roll on the vanity or in a cute basket can help break the “spin and shred” habit.

4. Try a Tissue Box Hack

Okay, this one's a bit outside-the-box—literally.

If your child is on a mission to destroy every roll in sight, try removing the roll from the bathroom entirely. Instead of tearing off a few sheets, pull out the cardboard core from the centre of the roll, and pop the whole roll into an empty tissue box or tissue box cover. Voilà! You’ve got a DIY dispenser that lets them pull out one sheet at a time—no spinning, no unraveling chaos.

This simple trick gives them access to what they need without turning the bathroom into a snowstorm. We actually shared this in a reel a while back— It’s a great temporary fix for those toddler tornado phases.

5. Get Crafty with a Cover

If you’re handy with a sewing machine or even a glue gun, you can create a toilet paper roll cover that helps reduce free spinning. Think of it like a snug little jumper for your roll.

A soft fabric cover can add just enough friction to stop little ones from going full-speed with their TP adventures, while still allowing grown-ups to pull a few sheets with ease. Plus, you can choose cute patterns to match your bathroom decor.

For a no-sew option, try using a baby sock or a stretchy headband wrapped around the roll!

6. Install a Childproof Lock (Yes, It Exists!)

If your little one is more persistent than a puppy with a new toy, it might be time to call in the big guns.

There are actual childproof toilet paper holders available that either lock the roll in place or cover it with a lid. These are particularly helpful if you’ve got a repeat offender who sees TP destruction as a daily sport.

Some of these holders are also great for pets—because we know a few curious cats who are just as guilty!

7. Keep the Door Closed (When Possible)

Sometimes the simplest solution is just good ol’ fashioned prevention. If your child is too young to be trusted alone in the bathroom, keeping the door shut can be a great deterrent.

It also helps create a bit of mystery around the room (and maybe delays the TP fascination just a little longer). If they do need access, try going in with them until they’re past the stage of being mesmerised by the mystical paper roll.

8. Turn It into a Teaching Moment

Once they’re old enough to understand, explaining what toilet paper is for (and how much is enough) can work wonders.

Let them help you count the squares—“One, two, three, that’s enough for a wee!”—and turn it into a little song or rhyme. It sounds silly, but it sticks. Plus, it gives them a sense of independence and responsibility, which toddlers actually love (even if they won’t admit it).

You can even pop up a cute visual reminder or sign near the toilet showing how many squares to use—something fun with animals or a toilet paper superhero!

9. Switch to Bamboo Toilet Paper Rolls with More Sheets

Okay, this one's not technically a toilet paper hack, but it's a smart strategy.

Our Eco Cheeks bamboo toilet paper rolls come with a whopping 300 sheets. That’s nearly double the standard roll, which means even if your kid gets a little overzealous, you’ve got more wiggle room before it runs out.

Plus, because our rolls are stronger and made from unbleached, chemical-free bamboo, they’re less likely to fall apart into confetti on the floor. And you’ll feel better knowing that even if there’s a bit of waste, it’s not harming the planet.

10. Try the “Roll Saver” Method

Another genius (and oddly satisfying) toilet roll trick is the “roll saver.” This involves flattening the toilet paper roll slightly before placing it on the holder.

By squashing the inner cardboard tube into an oval, the roll no longer spins freely. It creates just enough drag to stop kids from going full-speed. Bonus: it doesn't cost a thing, and you can do it with every new roll.

It’s not 100% foolproof, but it definitely slows things down.

11. Hide the Spare Rolls

Let’s be real—sometimes it’s not just the roll on the holder that’s in danger. Kids have an uncanny knack for finding spare rolls and turning them into art projects, towers, or unintentional snowstorms.

If you’ve got a TP-obsessed toddler, it’s worth storing spare rolls out of reach or in a latched cupboard until the obsession passes. Trust us, it will… eventually.

12. Don’t Forget to Laugh (and Snap a Pic)

While it can be frustrating in the moment, one day you’ll look back and laugh at the time your bathroom looked like a confetti cannon went off.

If your little one does get up to mischief, take a quick photo (after the sigh, of course). These are the moments that become classic family stories and will have you all giggling years down the track.

Just don’t forget to tag us @eco.cheeks if your cheeky monkey happens to create a TP masterpiece—you never know, we might just feature it!

Final Thoughts: It’s Just a Phase (Promise!)

As annoying as the TP tornado phase can be, rest assured it doesn’t last forever. Before you know it, your little rascal will be more interested in homework or skateboards than rolling paper.

Until then, keep your bathroom stocked with high-quality, eco-friendly rolls (like our ultra-soft bamboo ones!), use a few of the hacks above, and know you’re not alone in this parenting rite of passage.

Have you discovered a genius toilet roll trick that worked in your house? Share it with us in the comments or on Instagram—we’re all about helping Aussie families keep their bathrooms clean, sustainable, and (mostly) TP-disaster-free.