Paper cups, which are often used for drinking beverages, have a simple shape that allows for a variety of creative arrangements.
They’re popular as toys for children and for fine motor practice, but adults can enjoy crafting with them, too.
In this article, we’ll introduce craft ideas for adults that involve customizing paper cups.
It’s also recommended to decorate small containers or gift wrapping in a festive way and display them as interior decor.
Use this as a reference when trying easy crafts with paper cups you can pick up at 100-yen shops and the like.
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Ideas for paper cup crafts for adults: from interior decor to practical items (1–10)
basket
Let’s make a cute basket from a paper cup! To prepare, use scissors to cut the side of the paper cup into 11 equal sections.
Open the cut pieces outward like flower petals, then tape the end of a piece of jute twine to the bottom.
Weave the jute twine through the opened sections in an over-under-over pattern and wrap it around.
Once you finish wrapping, trim the rim and attach lace.
You can also decorate it with felt flowers or ribbons, and even add a handle.
Be sure to use it as a small accessory holder!
hat
Let me show you a stylish hat idea you can make with a paper cup.
First, cut off the rim of the paper cup.
Then, measure 2.5 cm and 5 cm down from the rim, mark them, and draw lines all the way around.
Next, cut from the rim down to the 5 cm line with scissors, making 24 evenly spaced strips.
Open the cut sections outward like a flower and place the cup upside down with the bottom facing up.
Fold each strip upward at a diagonal along the 2.5 cm line.
Once all the strips are folded, weave them by tucking the edge of each strip under the next strip.
Finally, decorate with washi tape and a ribbon made from origami paper, and you’re done!
gift box
Here’s an idea for making a gift box out of a paper cup.
It’s very easy to make, so give it a try.
Cut off the rim of the paper cup, then divide the side into seven equal sections and cut along those lines.
Don’t cut all the way to the bottom—stop around the middle of the cup.
Make two small slits along the edge of the base, then place individually wrapped candies or chocolates inside.
Fold the cut sections inward toward the center to form a lid, loop a string through the slits at the base, and tie it into a ribbon on top of the folded lid.
It’s perfect for a small gift for a friend—why not give it a try?
candy jar
Here’s a recommended wrapping idea for when you want to give sweets as a gift.
Cut off the rim of a paper cup, then flatten the top half while pinching both ends of the rim to make crease marks.
Open the flattened part, place your gift inside, then fold the sections from both ends inward toward the exact center to create a lid.
Aim for a shape like the side of a pillow-style gift box.
Secure the lid with tape, punch holes at both ends on top, and tie a ribbon to make a handle.
Finally, decorate with stickers or other embellishments—and you’re done! Depending on the decorations, it can look very chic and sophisticated.
wristwatch
How about making a handy wristwatch out of a paper cup? First, make a cut from the rim of the cup down to the bottom, then make another cut on the opposite side.
Add one more cut next to each of those in the same way—these will become the watch straps, so feel free to choose whatever width you like.
Trim away the unnecessary parts besides the straps, and draw the watch face on the bottom of the cup.
Make a hole in the center, attach a chenille stem (pipe cleaner) as the hand, and staple the straps to fit your wrist.
You can also make a flower version, so try creating it in any shape you like!
wind chime
Let me share a cool wind chime craft idea perfect for summer.
Cut out the bottom of a paper cup and trim off the rim.
Make slits so the side is divided into eight sections, then taper each strip from the bottom toward the rim by snipping the corners.
Wrap the ends around a pen to curl them, and glue all the strips together, leaving a small opening in the center.
Make the hanging tag from origami paper, punch a hole, then thread a bell and string through it and connect it to the paper-cup exterior.
Your wind chime is complete!
pot
Here’s a craft idea for making a pot that can also be used as a gift box.
Cut a paper cup 2.5 cm down from the rim, then make eight slits, each 2.5 cm long, starting from the rim.
Add two slits on each side near the edges, then use the cut-off portion of the cup to make handles and insert them into those slits.
Fold the eight cut sections inward one by one, and seal them with stickers or tape to create the lid—done! Since paper cups come in many varieties, you can make pots with all sorts of patterns.
Put some sweets inside and it becomes a gift box!