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!
- Let's make toys with paper cups! Simple and fun handmade toys
- Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
- [For Adults] Simple yet Impressive Crafts: A Stylish, Eye-Catching Collection
- Let's play with paper cups! Crafts and indoor play
- [Craft] How to Make a Paper Cup Rocket: Ideas to Make It Fly Far
- For summer vacation homework! Simple and amazing crafts for elementary school students that you’ll want to make after seeing them
- Simple yet amazing crafts: craft ideas that elementary school students will want to make
- Fun crafts using straws
- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
- [For Upper Elementary Students] Simple but Awesome! A Collection of Summer Vacation Craft Ideas
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
- Recommended for elementary school students! Science fair topics & craft ideas
Simple yet amazing crafts you can make with paper cups! Ideas also recommended for independent research (41–50)
Kendama
I never imagined you could make a kendama with paper cups, but you can! Crumple some scrap paper into a ball and attach a string to make the ball part of the kendama.
Fix the other end of the string to the bottom of a paper cup, then sandwich the string by placing two paper cups bottom to bottom.
Punch four holes in the cups and thread chopsticks through them, and you’re done! The chopstick section is the center spike of the kendama, and the paper cups serve as the two side cups.
frolicking paper cup ghost
The moment you see “a frolicking paper cup,” you might think, “What’s that supposed to mean?” But if you actually make one, it’s exactly that—and it’s a lot of fun! First, cut two slits on opposite sides of the rim of a paper cup.
Next, loop a rubber band around a battery and secure it with tape.
Then hook the rubber band attached to the battery into the slits in the cup, and you’re done.
Twist the rubber band by spinning the battery, place the cup on a table, and let go of the battery…
The paper cup will frolic around beautifully.
If you draw a little ghost or animal on the cup, it’ll look even more lively and adorable—you won’t be able to help but laugh!
Guitar
A cool, realistic guitar you can make from everyday materials like paper cups and toilet paper rolls! It’s a fun instrument craft that even lower elementary school kids can enjoy, so it’s perfect for a summer vacation project.
Combine a paper cup and a cardboard tube to build the guitar’s base, then hook rubber bands into slits to make the strings.
If you have time, try adding a mechanism that changes the guitar’s sound or make a pick! Use patterned paper cups or decorate it however you like, and you’ll have a one-of-a-kind, special guitar.
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!
Paper-cup hat
How about trying to make a tiny hat using a paper cup? Cut off the rim (the drinking edge) of the cup, then make thin, evenly spaced slits.
Crease each strip diagonally about halfway down, and from there, start folding and weaving them so they overlap with the neighboring strips.
It might seem a bit tricky at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll be fine—and it becomes fun as you go.
Tuck in the ends to finish the weave, then decorate with ribbon or felt.
If you use a craft-style paper cup, you can make a straw hat.
Easy Ice Bazooka
@picoton_craft A bazooka you can make with a balloon and a paper cup ✨✨ The “Takoyaki Bazooka” I made before was really popular, so I made an “ice cream version” 🍨 It’s a blast, so definitely give it a try 💕Life with children #HandmadeToysSimple craft #AtHomePlay
♬ summertime – cinnamons
Let’s make an Ice Bazooka that everyone can play with after making it! First, take a sheet of origami cut in half and draw your favorite ice cream on it.
Wrap it around a rolled piece of paper, grip it together, and secure it with tape.
That completes the bazooka ammo.
Next, cut out the bottom of a brown paper cup and draw a cone pattern on it.
Take a balloon with the tip of the part that inflates slightly trimmed, stretch it over the bottom of the paper cup, and tape it in place.
Finally, make a target using a paper cup and construction paper, and you’re done! Pull the balloon to launch your Ice Bazooka and aim for a high score!
Paper Cup Frog Puppet
Easy to make! Here’s an idea for a paper cup frog puppet.
Paper cups are familiar items often used in preschools and at home, right? This time, let’s make a frog puppet using a paper cup.
You’ll need a paper cup, a pen, glue or adhesive, round stickers, and scissors.
If you want to be particular about the cup’s color, you can attach construction paper or origami paper to the cup.
By getting creative with how you draw the facial expression, you can make frogs that look different even with the same basic method.