Remove the shoebox lid and set on a flat surface upside down. Set the paper towel tube upright in the center of the shoebox and trace around the tube with a pencil.
Cut out the circle in the shoe box lid and set aside.
Mark a 1-inch square near one end of the paper towel tube and cut it out.
Tape a flashlight bulb against the inner wall of the paper towel tube across from the cut-out square.
Strip back 1 inch of coating from each end of both circuit wires. Attach one end of the red and black wires to the light bulb.
Secure a D-cell battery to the center of the shoebox floor with tape. Set the paper towel tube directly over the battery and connect the loose ends of both wires to the battery terminals with crocodile clips. This should illuminate the bulb.
Cut a small hole in the floor of the box next to the battery terminals. This will allow you to turn the light on and off by reaching through the bottom of the box to disconnect or re-attach the clips to the battery.
Slide the shoebox lid over the paper towel tube all the way down to close the box.
Cover the top of the paper towel tube with a small piece of construction paper and secure with a rubber band. Glue construction paper around the shoebox, and paper towel tube. Decorate with markers or crayons.