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
- Let's make toys with paper cups! Simple and fun handmade toys
- A roundup of recreational activities and games using paper cups
- A simple yet amazing craft using paper cups! An idea that’s also great for independent research projects.
- Fun crafts using straws
- Made with toilet paper rolls! Exciting and fun easy handmade toys
- Handmade games: DIY craft ideas you can make and play
- Handmade ideas to create and play the traditional Japanese game “Daruma Otoshi”!
- [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 and indoor play (21–30)
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!
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!
Let's Play with Paper Cups! Crafts & Indoor Activities (31–40)
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 Frog Puppet
Easy to make! Here’s an idea for a paper cup frog puppet.
Paper cups are familiar items often used in preschools and at home, right? This time, let’s make a frog puppet using a paper cup.
You’ll need a paper cup, a pen, glue or adhesive, round stickers, and scissors.
If you want to be particular about the cup’s color, you can attach construction paper or origami paper to the cup.
By getting creative with how you draw the facial expression, you can make frogs that look different even with the same basic method.
Halloween paper cup gacha
Gachapon capsule toys are popular with everyone from kids to adults because it’s exciting to see what comes out.
This time, let’s handcraft a candy gachapon perfect for Halloween.
You can easily prepare it since the materials are all easy to find.
Cut holes and slits in a paper cup to create a pathway for the candy.
Make a handle and a tray to catch the candy using colored paper, then assemble the pieces.
Finally, add your favorite treats like hard candies, chocolate, or jelly beans, and you’re done.
Change the decorations for each type of candy, or draw ghost illustrations to create an even more festive atmosphere.
A moving ghost toy
This is a handmade, cute ghost toy that you can move around freely.
It’s very easy to make.
First, decorate a paper cup to create the stage where the ghost will move.
Color it, draw illustrations, and finish it off with stickers if you like.
Next, cut out a ghost from construction paper.
Attach magnets to both a wooden spatula and the ghost.
Make sure to check the orientation of the magnets’ north and south poles so they don’t repel each other.
Once the ghost and the spatula stick together with the paper cup in between, your ghost is ready to fly freely around the world of the paper cup.
It’s also safe to make since it doesn’t involve any cutting with blades.