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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Simple yet amazing crafts you can make with paper cups! Ideas also recommended for independent research (41–50)
Ogre puppet made from a paper cup
@hoikushisatomi [Easy to Make] Oni (Demon) Puppet CraftNursery teacher / Childcare worker#100-yen shop DIY#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeSetsubunOni of SetsubunPuppet
♬ Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi – Ovall
The “Oni puppet” made from a paper cup is a unique handmade craft idea that can be enjoyed year-round.
By simply attaching horns and a face designed from origami or construction paper to a paper cup, you can create an oni with lots of expression.
Both the materials and tools are simple, making it appealing for children to work at their own pace.
During the process, imagination is nurtured through experimenting with colors and shapes, and it naturally encourages interaction with caregivers and teachers.
The finished piece is fun to display and is a highly satisfying craft made from familiar materials.
A simple yet amazing craft you can make with paper cups! Ideas recommended for independent research (51–60)
Ghost Shooter
Let’s make a ghost shooter toy that launches a paper cup using paper cups, cotton swabs, and rubber bands.
First, prepare two paper cups with the bottoms cut out.
For the third paper cup, poke a small hole in the center of the bottom and cut off about 5 cm from the rim.
Next, tie a rubber band to the shaft of a cotton swab and thread it through the small hole in the cup you just prepared—that completes the build.
To play, stack the two bottomless paper cups together, then place the cup with the rubber band on top.
Pull the rubber band and release it… and the cup with the rubber band will shoot out with force! It would be fun to make targets, like balloons, and play a shooting game.
You can also decorate the paper cups by drawing ghost faces or adding stickers.
Shaka-shaka wristwatch
Many children probably admire the wristwatches their parents wear.
That’s why I’d like to introduce the idea of a rattle-style wristwatch craft.
In this activity, you make a wristwatch out of a paper cup and use a clear plastic cup to represent the glass face.
If you seal beads or similar items inside the clear cup, they will make a rattling sound when you shake your arm.
Another appeal is that you can design the dial and the band however you like.
First, think about what kind of wristwatch you want to make.
Chomping Toothbrushing Made with a Paper Cup
Make toothbrushing feel more familiar with pretend play! Here’s a fun idea for a chompy toothbrushing craft made from a paper cup.
You’ll need a paper cup, colored construction paper, a sponge, a popsicle stick, white round stickers, and glue or double-sided tape.
Since the main material is a paper cup, it’s easy to prepare—how nice! Adjust the steps to suit the children’s ages, and consider making a paper-cup toothbrushing puppet as a crafting activity.
Make it and have fun playing with it!
[Craft Play] Flying Cup
![[Craft Play] Flying Cup](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/35A-6EnY490/sddefault.jpg)
If you throw a regular paper cup, it just plops to the ground, but this one is a mysterious, flying paper cup.
It’s very easy to make: attach the bottoms of two paper cups together, then use a paper clip to create a hook point in the center for a string or rubber band.
That’s it—but it will float and glide through the air with a curious motion.
This is due to the Magnus effect: as the spinning cup moves forward, air resistance creates an airflow in the direction of the spin, producing its strange flight.
Halloween Jack-in-the-box
It sounds so fun and exciting that you can make a jack-in-the-box using a paper cup! This jack-in-the-box consists of three parts: an outer cover made by decorating a paper cup, a pop-up pumpkin toy, and a paper cup with a mechanism that makes the pumpkin pop out.
The mechanism part, in particular, has quite a few steps, so it’s best for an adult to help with that section.
Once it’s finished, have an adult demonstrate the pop-up, and then let the children make the pumpkin pop out and play with it themselves.
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!
