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.
- Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
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- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
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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! Crafts and indoor play (21–30)
Cute crafts for the kitchen
This is a craft project where you use everyday materials like paper cups, paper napkins, and water balloons to make small, play-kitchen-style items.
The book features recipe-style crafts focused on cute sweets such as ice cream, cupcakes, and pudding, making it feel as fun as flipping through a cookbook.
One especially noteworthy method is making a dome-shaped cup by pasting paper napkins onto a water balloon, letting it dry, and then popping the balloon.
Add toppings made from felt or origami to finish it off so it looks like a real dessert.
You can also customize paper plates and drink cups to create displays that look like a charming little shop.
It’s a visually delightful craft that sparks creativity.
Paper cup cracker
Party poppers are a must-have at celebrations—the loud pop and the confetti bursting into the air really bring the fun.
This project shows how to make a popper that bursts confetti using a paper cup.
First, make a hole in the bottom of the paper cup and insert a rubber band that’s been tied to a toothpick, anchoring it to the bottom and securing it with tape so it catches firmly.
Wrap one end of the rubber band with folded aluminum foil to create a piece that can strike the bottom of the cup—this completes the base.
Next, put confetti or finely cut pieces of straw inside.
When you pull and release the rubber band to deliver an impact, the contents shoot out like a party popper.
As you build it, experiment to see how the confetti scatters and rises.
Let's Play with Paper Cups! Crafts & Indoor Activities (31–40)
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.
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 UFO Catcher
The “Paper Cup UFO Catcher” is a popular DIY recreation idea you can enjoy with elementary school kids.
Cut eight slits into a paper cup to make tentacle-like arms, then insert a straw through the center to move it.
Place another paper cup over the top and move it up and down—this opens and closes the arms.
The moment it grabs the target is super exciting! It’s easy to make with everyday materials, yet the movement feels authentic and makes it really fun to play.
Figuring out the controls is part of the charm, and it gets even more exciting when friends compete.
It’s a recommended activity that combines the joy of crafting with the sense of achievement from a game.
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?”
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!