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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- [Make with Kids] Handmade Outdoor Play Toy Special
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
- Let's make toys with milk cartons! Easy and fun DIY crafts!
- 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! Crafts & Indoor Activities (31–40)
Paper cup fireworks
Fireworks burst out of a paper cup! How about enjoying a bright, summery craft? First, prepare some copy paper and draw any patterns you like.
Crayons or pens with vivid colors are recommended.
Next, cut the paper in half, accordion-fold each piece, then fold them in half again.
Make a hole in the center of the bottom of a paper cup and insert a chopstick.
Finally, attach the accordion-folded pieces to both sides of the chopstick, and fix their ends to both sides of the cup to finish.
You’ll love the satisfying pop as the fireworks open! It’s easy to make, so give it a try.
Making a Jumping Rabbit
@heknsb2 Detailed materials here [for 1 person]- 2 paper cups- 2 rubber bands (If you hand them out already looped together, the activity will go smoothly!)See other crafts here: @sei_seisakuNursery School PracticumChildcare studentMoon-viewing CraftHarvest Moon Rabbit#September production
♬ 39 Minutes – kiki vivi lily
A jumping rabbit made by drawing a face on a paper cup, attaching ear parts, and adding slits.
By fitting rubber bands onto the slitted paper cup, you create a mechanism that makes it bounce.
Children can feel a sense of accomplishment by launching the rabbits they’ve crafted with their own ideas, naturally improving their dexterity and spatial awareness.
As they experiment with launch angles and force, they also develop observation and concentration skills, and the joy of seeing their finished creation bounce is exceptional.
It’s a hands-on, play-and-learn idea packed with ingenuity, letting kids make and move it themselves.
Gashi-Gashi Hand
Why not make a “Grabby Hand” with a uniquely addictive motion? First, prepare two paper cups.
In one cup, cut slits to match the shape of a hand; once you’ve formed five fingers, fold them back to the opposite side.
Next, make about a 2-centimeter slit at the tip of a straw and staple it to the center of the hand-shaped cup.
Finally, poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the other paper cup and thread the straw through—done! Move the straw up and down, and the paper-cup hand will open and close, letting you grab paper scraps and more.
It’s fun to use during cleanup, and if you prepare lots of paper balls, you can even have a ball-collecting race with everyone and really get the excitement going!
crane game
Many people love crane games, don’t they? That thrill of not knowing whether you’ll grab the prize or not is addictive.
There’s actually a way to make a DIY crane game using paper cups.
First, cut eight slits into a paper cup and remove four of them.
That gives you four arms.
Next, insert a straw through the bottom and connect it to another paper cup, and you’re done.
The closing motion when the arms retract into the paper cup recreates the grabbing action of a crane game.
Tyrannosaurus made from a paper cup
With summer vacation nearing its end, many people have probably struggled to come up with a topic for their independent research projects.
In times like that, here’s a great recommendation: a budget-friendly Tyrannosaurus made from paper cups that you can finish in a short time! The only materials you need are paper cups from a 100-yen shop.
It’s super easy, yet the result is a cool, realistic-looking T.
rex.
The basic method is to cut and combine the paper cups.
Use a single color for a sleek look, or mix various colors for a pop-style T.
rex—feel free to customize it however you like!
Paper cup spinning top
A paper cup spinning top is also great for practicing twisting motions like turning faucets and doorknobs.
The idea is to cut and open a paper cup, then add decorations to turn it into a top.
The appeal lies not only in the making process but also in the many ways to experiment while playing—try figuring out how to spin it well or invent different ways to use it.
Depending on the situation, caregivers or teachers can offer prompts that spark creativity, such as, “What happens if you spin it the other way?”
Cake-shaped accessory case
@hoikushisatomi [Even kids can make it] Cake-like trinket box 🍰Seasonal craftsChildcare ideasLife with childrenNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Creative PlayKids will love itChildren's Day#crafts#craftkids
♫ Winter Maple Leaves – Sasa.
Here’s an idea for a cake-themed trinket holder made with paper cups.
First, take one paper cup and cut straight from the rim down to the base, then cut out the base as well.
Use this as the template base, and decorate it by attaching felt or construction paper to make it look like a cake.
Once you’ve finished decorating the base, attach it to another paper cup, and you’re done.
It’s easy and cute, and you can customize the decoration however you like—highly recommended! With a bit more effort, you can even add a lid to the trinket holder, so give that a try if you have the time.
paper cup light
@chooobo2 This time, I’m introducing how to make the “Original Light from a Paper Cup 💡” that we’ll create in the workshop on November 16 ✨ The picture you draw will glow in the dark 😳! Since Christmas is coming, I drew a tree! Depending on age, just coloring and adding stickers is enough—the pen colors and sticker shadows glow and look so cute 🩷 This time I drew on a clear file, but drawing directly on plastic wrap is also OK 🙆♀️◎ (Use a transparent clear file.) Using a clear file makes it easier to draw than on plastic wrap, and the finished piece is less likely to break! Workshop details are posted in the Instagram Highlights!Made in DecemberChristmas craftsChristmas partyTranslation#HandmadeToysPaper cup craft
♬ All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
Let’s make an exciting item using a paper cup! First, cut a piece of a clear file (plastic folder) to match the size of the paper cup’s rim.
Use a permanent marker to draw any picture you like.
Next, cut out the bottom of the paper cup and decorate the sides with stickers, etc.
Finally, place the drawing you made on the rim side of the paper cup, cover it with plastic wrap from above, and secure it with a rubber band—that’s it! If you shine a light through the hole where you cut out the bottom and aim it at a wall, your picture will be projected on the wall.
It looks perfect for Halloween or Christmas too.
Try playing with it in a dark room!
A turtle that runs on rubber power!
Moving toys are appealing no matter how old you are, and they’re especially popular with lower-grade elementary school kids.
This is a paper cup turtle craft that zooms forward using rubber-band power hidden in its shell.
First, cut slits halfway down a paper cup and fold them in to make the legs.
The remaining part becomes the body.
For the face, stick round stickers on as eyes to make it cute.
Take a used AA battery, wrap a rubber band around it, attach kite string with cellophane tape, and set the mechanism inside the turtle’s shell.
Even though it’s a turtle, it moves surprisingly fast and with big motions—so much fun!
How to make a paper-cup kendama
This is a paper-cup kendama made with a paper cup and plastic bottle caps.
First, poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the paper cup and thread a 60 cm piece of yarn through it.
Be careful not to hurt yourself when making the hole.
Tie a knot at the end of the yarn so it won’t slip out, and secure it to the outside bottom with cloth tape.
Tie a knot in the other end of the yarn as well, place it between two plastic bottle caps facing each other, and fasten them together with cloth tape.
That’s all it takes to complete the main body! After that, customize it with stickers or markers in any design you like.
It’s great because even kids who struggle with a real kendama can have fun and play together!