DIY whack-a-mole ideas—perfect for festivals and school fairs!
Whack-a-mole is one of the most popular games among kids at festivals and arcades! It’s a simple pastime where you hit moles popping out of holes with a hammer, but it’s surprisingly addictive! In this article, we’ll introduce DIY whack-a-mole ideas.
We’ve gathered a variety of concepts, from easy-to-make versions using cardboard and paper cups, to giant whack-a-mole setups perfect for school festivals and other large events, and even whack-a-mole ideas for pets.
If you’re planning an event attraction or looking for play equipment for children, be sure to use this as a reference!
DIY whack-a-mole ideas. Perfect for festivals and school fairs! (1–10)
Giant Whac-A-Mole
When you want to enjoy Whac-A-Mole at events and the like, how about making a giant Whac-A-Mole? Cut holes in a cardboard box, then cover it with poster paper and draw pictures or decorate it.
Make sure to cut slits where the holes are.
Place people inside to manually pop the moles up, so you’ll need staff, but it’ll probably get not only kids but also adults seriously into it.
For the hammer, use a squeaky toy hammer you can buy at a 100-yen shop!
Whac-A-Mole with a Mario theme
A whack-a-mole game themed on Super Mario Bros., which is popular with people of all ages, would really double the fun atmosphere.
For the base, prepare a large box.
Draw a brick pattern on the box and make several holes in the top.
Each hole will have a stick that pops out, topped with a Mario character.
Make the characters out of clay and attach them to wooden sticks with wire.
Bend the sticks and install them at an angle so that when you push down the part sticking out of the box, the character pops up through the hole.
With a bit of creativity, you can make a really fun whack-a-mole game!
Finger Whack-a-Mole
https://www.tiktok.com/@dandanb_dama/video/6967376850607688962Let me introduce a unique and fun finger whack-a-mole.
Make holes in a cardboard base to create the mole holes.
It’s best to punch the holes at random so it feels more like real mole tunnels.
Decorate the cardboard with construction paper and such to create a molehill scene that looks like a grassy field.
Once it’s done, draw original mole faces on your fingertips and play whack-a-mole in pairs.
When you whack the moles, make sure to tap gently.
Whack-a-mole game with paper cups
Here’s how to make a whack-a-mole game using paper cups and a cardboard tube from plastic wrap or similar.
Cut slits into one end of the tube and attach it to a paper cup to make a hammer.
Line up paper cups on a table as the “moles,” and instead of hitting them with the hammer, catch the moles by pushing the cups into the hammer cup—nesting them inside.
Decorate the paper cups and hammer with origami paper or masking tape, and draw mole faces with a permanent marker if you like.
Compete to see who can catch the most moles!
Mini Whac-A-Mole Made with Wooden Sticks
https://www.tiktok.com/@yopiko148/video/7052316341851720962Here’s a mini whack-a-mole made with wooden sticks.
Prepare a cylindrical empty box, construction paper, wooden sticks, a utility knife, and glue.
Wrap the box with the construction paper and stick colored labels on the top lid.
Cut small slits with the utility knife where the sticks will go in and out.
Draw faces on the wooden sticks, insert the sticks into the box, and you’re done.
Use a small homemade hammer to play whack-a-mole!
Whack-a-mole where you collect moles
https://www.tiktok.com/@shinjyouen/video/7336200124516945153Let me introduce a whack-a-mole game where you collect moles.
Paste mole illustrations on paper cups and arrange several of them randomly on a table.
For the hammer used to catch the moles, attach a handle to a paper cup to prepare it.
Sit side by side in pairs and compete to see who can catch more moles.
The person who catches the most moles wins.
Because you can play while seated, it’s enjoyable for a wide range of ages, from children to older adults.
It’s simple to make, so give it a try—build it and have fun playing!
Whack-a-mole for cats made of cardboard
This whack-a-mole idea is a bit challenging, but it’s recommended for those who want to build a more authentic, fully featured mechanism.
When you press a button, a mole pops out from a hole cut in cardboard.
Inside, a wire is bent into a complex shape; bending that wire according to the template is a little tricky, but once you get past that, you’re free to combine the moles as you like, put on the lid, and you’re done.
For the round holes in the lid, attach nonwoven fabric from the underside with slits cut into it, allowing the moles to pop through.