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.
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!
toy hammer
Instead of the usual whack-a-mole where you hit moles popping up, this is a way to make a whack-a-mole that you tap from above to push them down.
You’ll need a shoebox-style box with a lid, a plastic wrap tube, milk cartons, colored construction paper, sponges, and colored balls.
You can make it entirely with recycled materials and items from a dollar store.
Cut holes in the box lid about 1 mm smaller than the balls, place the colored balls in the holes, and tap them from above so they drop into the box.
Adjust it so that a child can make the balls go in with a few taps.
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!
Human Whack-a-Mole
This is a unique human whack-a-mole where helmeted heads pop up one after another.
First, prepare the base by making holes in a large box made from cardboard and decorating it with fun patterns.
Inside, people wearing helmets with mole faces painted on a brown base color get into position and pop their heads out as soon as the game starts.
Set the base to a height where people can hide without feeling cramped, and be sure to use a soft hammer that makes a “pokon pokon” sound.
Great for festivals too! Whack-a-mole made from cardboard
This is a whack-a-mole made from a box that you can use at festivals and other events.
First, apply double-sided tape to a box-shaped cardboard piece to make the base.
Cover it with colored construction paper or wrapping paper to give it a colorful appearance.
Next, draw circles on the top of the cardboard and cut them out with a utility knife.
Draw circles of the same size on construction paper, cut radial slits into them, and attach them to the holes—this is the key step.
Finally, attach moles to the ends of disposable chopsticks and set them up so they pop out.
The excitement of not being able to see what’s inside is irresistible!
Infinite Whack-a-Mole
It’s a bit of a large setup, but here’s an idea for an endlessly exciting whack-a-mole game that would even impress an arcade.
You’ll need cardboard, PVC pipes, pool noodles, paper cups, and so on.
Pool noodles can be found at 100-yen shops.
Using PVC pipes as the base, it’s built like a seesaw: when you hit one side, the other side pops up.
By using the seesaw principle, when you hit your side, a mole pops up on your opponent’s side; they hit theirs, and so on—creating an endless back-and-forth whack-a-mole battle.
Set a time limit and face off!