You can make a simple DIY “construction cone” at home using common supplies like cardboard or a toilet paper roll, orange paint, and white tape, plus make matching “construction tape” (barrier tape) with yellow paper or tape and black stripes.25

How to make a small DIY traffic cone (kid craft or prop) Materials:

• Empty toilet paper roll (or cardstock/paper)
• Small cardboard square for the base
• Orange paint (or orange duct tape/orange paper)
• White tape or white paper strip for the reflective band
• Scissors, glue (hot glue or craft glue), ruler25

Steps: 1) Form the cone

• Option A (toilet paper roll): Cut the roll lengthwise from top to about 1/2 inch from the bottom. Overlap edges to make a cone and glue; trim the base flat.2
• Option B (paper/cardstock): Cut a circle, remove a wedge (like “Pac-Man”), overlap the cut edges to form a cone, and tape or glue.5

2) Make and attach a base

• Cut and paint a small cardboard square or circle. Glue the cone onto it so it stands upright.2

3) Color it construction-orange

• Paint the cone and base orange; let dry. If you don’t want to paint, wrap with orange duct tape or orange paper.25

4) Add the white reflective band

• Wrap a white strip (white tape or paper) around the cone about 1/3 from the bottom. Press firmly.2

Tips and alternatives:

• For a cleaner cone shape from flat paper, you can also roll a triangle from a diagonally halved square sheet and tape the seam.4
• Any of the cone-forming methods (tape, stapler, or hot glue) work; hot glue sets fastest.3

How to make DIY “construction tape” (barrier tape) Materials:

• Yellow tape (masking/duct) or yellow paper strips
• Black tape or black marker
• Scissors

Steps: 1) Create the yellow band

• Use 2–3 inch wide yellow tape, or cut long yellow paper strips and clear-tape them end-to-end for length.

2) Add diagonal black stripes

• Apply short diagonal pieces of black tape at regular spacing, or draw diagonal stripes with a black marker. Keep the angle and spacing consistent for a realistic look.

3) Use and remove

• Hang between chairs, cones, or posts. For reusable paper tape, reinforce the back with clear packing tape.

Scale up (optional)

• For a larger cone, use poster board: cut a large circle, remove a wedge, overlap to a cone, secure with tape/hot glue, and add a cardboard base. Finish with orange wrap/paint and a white band.5
• You can also wrap an existing cone-form (e.g., a party hat cone) in orange and add the white band.3

Sources:

• Toilet paper roll cone with base, orange paint, and glue method.2
• Paper “Pac-Man” cone method and taping the seam.5
• Alternatives for forming cones (tape, stapler, hot glue).3
• Rolling a cone from a triangular sheet and taping the seam.4