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 Play with Paper Cups! Craft Activities & Indoor Games (51–60)
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.
Kendama
This is a paper-cup kendama that even children who find heavier wooden kendamas difficult can enjoy.
Prepare two paper cups, glue construction paper to the sides, and decorate them with pens, stickers, or masking tape.
Cut a piece of string to a length that lets the ball fit neatly inside the cup, and attach a crumpled paper ball to the end.
Tape the other end of the string to the bottom of one paper cup, align the bottoms of the two cups, and secure them with tape—your handmade kendama is complete! It could be fun to have parents and children compete to see who can handle the kendama better.
Ogre puppet made from a paper cup
@hoikushisatomi [Easy to Make] Oni (Demon) Puppet CraftNursery teacher / Childcare worker#100-yen shop DIY#NurseryTeacherDailyLifeSetsubunOni of SetsubunPuppet
♬ Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi – Ovall
The “Oni puppet” made from a paper cup is a unique handmade craft idea that can be enjoyed year-round.
By simply attaching horns and a face designed from origami or construction paper to a paper cup, you can create an oni with lots of expression.
Both the materials and tools are simple, making it appealing for children to work at their own pace.
During the process, imagination is nurtured through experimenting with colors and shapes, and it naturally encourages interaction with caregivers and teachers.
The finished piece is fun to display and is a highly satisfying craft made from familiar materials.
Easy Ice Bazooka
@picoton_craft A bazooka you can make with a balloon and a paper cup ✨✨ The “Takoyaki Bazooka” I made before was really popular, so I made an “ice cream version” 🍨 It’s a blast, so definitely give it a try 💕Life with children #HandmadeToysSimple craft #AtHomePlay
♬ summertime – cinnamons
Let’s make an Ice Bazooka that everyone can play with after making it! First, take a sheet of origami cut in half and draw your favorite ice cream on it.
Wrap it around a rolled piece of paper, grip it together, and secure it with tape.
That completes the bazooka ammo.
Next, cut out the bottom of a brown paper cup and draw a cone pattern on it.
Take a balloon with the tip of the part that inflates slightly trimmed, stretch it over the bottom of the paper cup, and tape it in place.
Finally, make a target using a paper cup and construction paper, and you’re done! Pull the balloon to launch your Ice Bazooka and aim for a high score!
maracas
These handmade paper cup maracas make a pleasant rattling sound.
Cut straws into pieces about 1 cm long and put them inside a paper cup.
You can also add small items that make sound, such as beads.
Join another paper cup to the rim with tape, and your maracas are ready in no time! Use stickers, crayons, and more to decorate the outside of the cups and enjoy creating your very own original instrument.
Boomerang made from paper cups
Let me introduce a unique boomerang that might boost kids’ reflexes.
This boomerang is made from paper cups, but it’s apparently hard to catch when it returns—so it could help train reflexes.
Fix and connect the bottoms of two paper cups with cellophane tape.
Insert a bent paper clip into the joined section.
Set the paper-cup boomerang onto a launcher made from a chopstick with a rubber band fixed to it, and then just launch it.
It takes some technique to throw and catch, but mastering it might be part of the fun.
Playable Archery Craft
Let’s make a bow and arrow that flies well! Here are some ideas for a playable archery activity.
Archery is a sport where you use a bow and arrow to hit a target.
This time, how about getting involved from the making process and having fun by using plastic forks, straws, and rubber bands? You can stack paper cups to make a target, or draw a picture on paper to create one.
Try playing together with a parent or guardian, experimenting with timing and how you launch the arrows.
It’s sure to become a valuable time for communication.
Paper Cup Jenga
Let’s enjoy the thrill! Here are some ideas for Paper Cup Jenga.
Jenga is a simple party game played with wooden blocks, where players take turns removing blocks from a stacked tower without toppling it.
This time, let’s put a twist on Jenga—fun for both kids and adults—using paper cups and printer paper.
It’s also great because setup and cleanup are easy.
It’s perfect for recess or short breaks, so give it a try!
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.
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.