Let's play with paper cups! Crafts and indoor play
Did you know that paper cups, which are handy as simple drinking cups, are also great for crafts and indoor play?
When it comes to paper cup crafts, string telephones are the classic example, but they’re also used for a variety of make-and-play projects like kendama and bamboo-copters.
This time, we’ll introduce some activities that use paper cups you likely have at home.
There are plenty of games that use paper cups as-is, so it’s perfect for anyone who wants to start playing right now.
If you’re looking for safe toys or games for children or the elderly, be sure to take a look for ideas.
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- Let's Make and Play! A Collection of Homemade Kendama Ideas
- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
Let's Play with Paper Cups! Craft Activities & Indoor Games (61–70)
Paper Cup Catcher
@ranmaru_shien Paper Cup Catcher#HandmadeToysworkChildcareEducational# developmental support (ryōiku)#AtHomePlay
♬ The Peak – SEKAI NO OWARI
Introducing the Paper Cup Catcher, a cooperative game for two players! Prepare several paper cups of the same size.
Tie four strands of raffia string (or similar ribbon) to a single rubber band, and you’re ready to go.
Each player holds two strands, and together you use the rubber band to grab a paper cup from a row and stack it onto another cup placed beside it.
Adjust the pulling tension and coordinate your strength to clear the game as a team! It’s also fun to prepare lots of cups and compete to see which pair can stack the most within a time limit.
Spinning Face-Changing Paper Cup Toy
@tomo_mama_ [Made with paper cups!] A face-changing Anpanman toy#AnpanmanToys#HandmadeToysEducational toy#ParentingMom
♬ –
Let’s play by spinning paper cups! Here’s a fun paper cup toy where the face changes as you turn it.
You’ll need two paper cups, a craft knife or scissors, and colored pens.
First, draw Anpanman’s full body on one cup.
The key is to cut out the face area! Next, stack the cups and draw various expressions—like a smiley face or a surprised face—on the inner cup.
Finally, spin the stacked cups, and you’re done! It would also be fun to make versions with Anpanman’s friends.
Anpanman Cup
@yumiy381 I tried making a cute Anpanman cup using a paper cup! It’s also adorable to fill it with your favorite things and give it as a gift! This one is easy too—just cut and paste and you’re done, so please give it a try!#cuteTranslationpaper cupFeltFunAnpanmanHandmadePresentRecommended for giftsNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Kindergarten
♬ San San Taisou – Kaori Inoue
Make it with felt! Here are some ideas for Anpanman-themed cups.
You’ll need paper cups, felt, a clear file folder, double-sided tape, scissors, and a pencil.
This idea is great for gifts and events.
Cut the felt to fit the size of the paper cup and stick it on with double-sided tape.
Cut out parts like the Anpanman belt and attach them to the cup to finish! It’s fun to decide what to put inside the cup—candy or stationery are great options.
Give it a try!
Ogre Tower Made with Paper Cups
Make and play together with your kids! Here are ideas for an ogre (oni) tower made from paper cups.
Children have rich imaginations, and they often surprise us with “I never would’ve thought of that!” This time, let’s build an oni tower with your child.
You’ll need paper cups, construction paper in your favorite colors, scissors, glue or tape, and pens or colored pencils.
What kind of image do children have of an oni? It’ll be fun to see the expressions they draw and the colors they choose!
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.
puppet
Introducing a marionette made with paper cups! This craft is perfect for parents and kids to make together, and you can play with it after you’re done.
First, use paper cups to create the puppet’s head and body.
Next, make the arms and legs by attaching plastic bottle caps to the ends of long, thin strips of construction paper, then stick them onto the body.
To finish, prepare some string such as packing twine: fix one end to the puppet’s head and the other end to a pair of disposable chopsticks to complete the mechanism that moves the puppet! If you have time, try adding more puppets or control strings to create a more authentic puppet show.
Give it a try!
roly-poly toy
With a roly-poly toy, you can finish the look to match the season or your preferences.
Let’s start by explaining how to make it.
The steps are simple, and the only materials you need are a paper cup, a gacha capsule, and a marble.
First, remove one half of the capsule and tape the marble inside it with cellophane tape.
Next, turn the paper cup upside down and attach the capsule to the rim—then it’s done.
From there, you can turn it into any motif you like by decorating the cup.
Try coming up with seasonal characters or figures.
