A simple yet amazing craft using paper cups! An idea that’s also great for independent research projects.
We’re introducing paper cup crafts that will make you think, “I can make this myself!” With paper cups, you can create surprisingly professional projects like clocks, pinhole cameras, and even tyrannosauruses.
They might seem difficult at first, but the methods are actually very simple.
Here, we’ve gathered lots of fun paper cup crafts you can make with everyday materials.
It’s perfect for anyone who loves crafting, from adults to children.
Use this as a guide to create wonderful pieces with paper cups!
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A simple yet amazing craft made with paper cups! Ideas recommended for independent research (61–70)
Frisbee
You can make a thin Frisbee out of a paper cup! Make eight straight cuts with scissors from the rim down toward the bottom of the cup.
Then just open it up to finish the shape! You can decorate the wing-like flaps by drawing on them or adding washi tape—totally fine! Even elementary school kids can do it in under five minutes!
Magic hand
Why not make a magic grabber with irresistibly unique movements? First, prepare two paper cups.
On one cup, cut slits to match the shape of a hand; once you’ve formed five fingers, fold them back to the opposite side.
Next, make a roughly 2 cm slit at the tip of a straw, and staple it to the center of the paper cup you cut into a hand shape.
Finally, poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the other paper cup and thread the straw through—your grabber is ready.
When you move the straw up and down, the paper-cup hand opens and closes so you can grab things like paper scraps.
It’s fun to use when tidying up, and it could work as a crane game, too!
Rocket
This is a rocket you can easily make with paper cups! First, place the bottoms of two paper cups together and tape them in place.
Next, slightly bend the middle of a paperclip.
Even elementary school kids can bend it easily! Attach the clip where the cup bottoms meet, aligning it with the curve of the cups.
Finally, attach three rubber bands, and you’re done! Hook the rubber bands onto the bent part of the clip, twist them around about three times, hook them on your index finger, and release your finger…
and it takes off!
puppet
Let’s make a simple marionette with mysterious movements using paper cups! Use a paper cup and a toilet paper roll to create the head and face.
Then use straws to make the arms and legs, attaching ping-pong balls to the hands and plastic bottle caps to the feet.
Connect everything except the head and torso with strings threaded through the straws.
Finally, attach the control strings to the head and other parts, and make the handle by crossing two chopsticks in an X shape.
Your marionette is complete!
string telephone
A classic paper cup craft: the string telephone! Make a hole in the bottom of each of two paper cups, then thread some twine through them.
Using a toothpick to make the holes lets you work safely.
Tie a small piece of toothpick to the end of the twine and tape it to the bottom inside each cup to secure it—done! If you keep the string taut while you talk, the other person will be able to hear your voice.