[Childcare] Fun recreation ideas using paper cups
Group recreation activities.
Recreation play is especially important in preschool classes to enrich the bonds between children.
It’s great when everyone can cooperate and have a fun time together.
This time, we’ll introduce a recreation activity using paper cups that doesn’t require much preparation.
When preparation is simple, it’s easier to incorporate into childcare, and because it can be played repeatedly, satisfaction is high.
It’s also useful on rainy or hot days when you’re unsure what activities to do.
By all means, try incorporating recreation into your childcare program.
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[Childcare] Fun Recreation Ideas Using Paper Cups (11–20)
Paper Cup Tower Game
Let’s have fun building and playing with a paper cup tower.
How to play: simply stack paper cups in tiers, piling them up higher and higher! If you manage to stack all of them, you succeed.
Younger children will enjoy this on its own, and for preschool classes you can make it a head-to-head race to see who can stack them faster.
If you paint the cups green and put a star on the final one, it becomes a tree when completed—perfect for a Christmas activity.
It’s a recommended game that helps develop concentration while using fine motor skills.
Paper Cup Shoot
This is a paper-cup shoot game using a paper cup and a small ball.
It’s simple to play: place the ball on the floor, cover it with a paper cup, and slide it! However, paper cups don’t slide well on carpet or tatami, so try playing on a smooth surface like hardwood flooring.
There are many ways to play: you can slide it through a friend’s legs, or use masking tape to make territories—reach the territory to win, and so on.
If you use too much force, the paper cup may tip over midway, so instead of throwing, try using your hand to push it forward smoothly!
fishing
How about turning paper cups into fish, turtles, jellyfish, and more, and having a fun fishing game with everyone? It’s a great indoor activity idea for days when the weather keeps you from playing outside! Stick double-sided tape on the paper cups, then attach construction paper or draw with markers to create sea creatures.
Adding googly eyes would likely delight the kids, too.
Also, if you attach magnets to the bottom of the paper cups and to the tip of the fishing rod, you can play a fishing game.
It’s also nice to try it as a craft activity by including steps that the children can do themselves!
paper cup ghost
Let’s use a paper cup and a plastic bag to make a simple, fun toy! It’s perfect for preschool or kindergarten crafts, so why not try it with kids? First, draw a ghost face on the plastic bag.
Next, wrap the bag around a straw that’s been cut in half and secure it with tape.
The trick is to tape it so there are no gaps.
Finally, thread the straw through the inside of the paper cup, and you’re done! With the ghost tucked inside the cup, blow through the straw and the ghost will inflate like a balloon!
Paper Cup Rocket
How about making a cool, blasting-off rocket out of paper cups? It’s easy to put together with paper cups, and you can even recreate the moment a real rocket lifts off! If you make it with children at a nursery or kindergarten, they’ll love it for sure.
First, use two paper cups—one large and one small—to create the rocket’s base.
Add parts made from colored construction paper to give it that rocket vibe.
Next, cut origami paper into small squares to make confetti, put it into a plastic bag, insert a straw into the opening, and tape it in place.
Finally, punch a hole in the bottom/back of the rocket and thread the straw through—that’s it! Tuck the plastic bag inside the paper cup, then blow into the straw to recreate the rocket launch.
You can add a fun twist by doing a countdown before liftoff!
Paper cup launcher
As a recreation idea that will get kids excited, I recommend the Flying Paper Cup! It’s an easy, high-energy science activity you can make with simple materials like paper cups and rubber bands.
First, place two paper cups bottom to bottom and tape them together.
Next, connect three rubber bands and wrap them around the center of the cups while pulling them tight.
With the bands wrapped, stretch one end as far as you can and then let go! The paper cups will whirl around as they fly.
You can also try variations, like changing the cup size or linking more rubber bands.
Paper cup kendama
Kids love playing kendama, don’t they? Here’s an easy kendama you can make with paper cups.
Cut a piece of kite string a bit long, tape one end to the outside bottom of a paper cup, then stick another paper cup to it bottom-to-bottom.
If you want to make a cute kendama, decorate the cups beforehand.
Roll aluminum foil into a ball, secure it with tape on the outside, attach it to the string, and you’re done! The cup openings are larger than a regular kendama cup and the ball is lighter, so it’s easier for little kids to play with.
Let’s make horse hoof sounds!
The sound of hooves striking the ground is quite distinctive, isn’t it? In this idea, we recreate that “pakaran” sound using a simple craft.
You’ll need three paper cups, one pair of chopsticks, and some twine.
Prepare three pieces of twine in different lengths.
First, use an awl to make a hole in the center of the bottom of each paper cup.
Thread the twine through the hole and secure it on the inside with tape.
Finally, fasten the other ends of the twine to the chopsticks in order from shortest to longest, and you’re done! Hold the chopsticks with both hands and press the paper cups against a hard surface like a desk or flooring.
If you tap them in a steady rhythm from the shortest to the longest, it should sound like “pakaran,” just like hooves.
Merry-go-round! The horses that go round and round
Let’s make a toy where horses spin around like a merry-go-round.
For the base, use a paper bowl and a paper cup.
For the spinning mechanism, use a paper clip, a rubber band, a bead, a toothpick, and a wooden chopstick.
First, use an awl to make a hole in the center of the bottoms of both the paper bowl and the paper cup.
Straighten the paper clip, then bend one end into a hook shape.
Thread a bead onto a rubber band, hook one end of the rubber band onto the paper clip’s hook, and pass it through from the bottom of the paper cup.
On the other end of the rubber band, insert the wooden chopstick so it won’t slip out.
Next, pass the clip up through the bottom of the paper bowl, stack it with the paper cup, then remove the hook and insert a toothpick as a stopper.
Finally, attach paper with horse illustrations to both ends of the chopstick, and you’re done.
Easy and fun! Paper Cup Race
@houkagoday_yawara Paper Cup Race 🦑 Draw your favorite picture on a paper cup and let’s compete! Time trials or big group races are super fun too 😀 Materials: paper cups, vinyl tape, raffia ribbon (Suzuran tape), ball Goal: Think about how much force to use, pull so the ball doesn’t fall and doesn’t leave the course, and build your thinking skills ✊ Let’s try it! 🇯🇵child# developmental support (ryōiku)#AtHomePlayAfter-school day serviceNagasakiEducational#NeurodevelopmentalDisordersworkTranslationHandmade
♬ Pokopoko cute game style BGM(1527385) – sanusagi
Here’s a fun paper cup race you can make with everyday materials.
Get some paper cups, raffia tape (plastic ribbon), and vinyl tape ready.
Poke holes in the paper cups, thread the raffia tape through, and tie a single knot to assemble it.
It might be nice to draw faces on the cups with a felt-tip pen, too.
Once it’s finished, place a ball on the cup, pull the string, and start the race.
Move slowly and carefully so the ball doesn’t fall off.
Try timing your runs or competing to see who can reach the finish line the fastest and have fun!
