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! Crafts & indoor play (81–90)
Animals walking with paper cups
These are animal paper cups that are super cute when they toddle along.
Cut two slits on opposite sides of the rim of a paper cup and fold the cut sections outward.
Attach a rubber band to a used battery, hook it onto the folded parts, and secure it with tape.
Twist the battery around and place the cup upside down—now you’ve got a toddling cup that walks! Finish it by gluing colored paper to the sides, adding ears, and drawing eyes and a mouth.
It’s so adorable you’ll want to make all kinds of animals.
Paper Cup Merry-Go-Round
This is a project to make a merry-go-round that spins when you twist a bar sticking out from the side! Make holes in the side and bottom of a paper cup large enough for a straw to pass through, then insert a bendable straw from the side and out through the bottom.
Cut the protruding end into four equal sections, spread them open, and attach a circular piece of paper—now you’ve created the spinning mechanism.
Make the roof and pillar parts from construction paper, hang drawings of characters the children made from the roof, and assemble.
Twist the straw to spin your handmade merry-go-round!
Paper Cup Windmill
Here’s a paper cup windmill you can make using a common paper cup.
Prepare a paper cup, a chopstick, a felt-tip pen, and a thumbtack, and let’s get started.
Use the felt-tip pen to mark the rim of the cup into eight equal sections.
From each mark, cut a slit downward to create eight cuts.
Fold each cut section outward at an angle to form the rotating blades.
Folding them diagonally improves airflow and makes it easier to spin—this is the key point.
Poke a hole in the center of the cup, then use the thumbtack to fix it to the chopstick, and you’re done! Wrapping the blade sections with vinyl tape as decoration will make it look more vibrant.
Fishing game
It’s a fishing game using handmade fish and fishing rods! Prepare crabs and turtles made by covering yogurt cups with construction paper, fish made by stuffing crumpled paper into plastic bags, and jellyfish made by cutting slits into toilet paper rolls, and attach magnets in spots that aren’t easily visible on the surface.
Stick a string to a chopstick and attach a magnet to the other end to complete your fishing rod! Arrange the sea creatures on blue paper or a plastic sheet and enjoy the feeling of going fishing.
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!
Speaker
Many people usually watch videos or listen to music on their smartphones.
Here’s an idea I’d like to share: a speaker made from paper cups.
First, prepare a toilet paper roll and cut a slit in the middle—this will hold the smartphone upright.
Next, cut circular openings on the sides of two paper cups so the roll can fit into them.
Finally, assemble the pieces, and you’re done.
The sound quality is surprisingly clear, so it should come in handy in various situations.
Paper Cup Catch Ball
Here’s a DIY idea to make a simple catch-and-throw ball machine like the ones you often see outdoors.
You’ll need a paper cup, a balloon, and a paper plate.
Cut out the bottom of the paper cup with a utility knife, then cut the top off the balloon and stretch it over the bottom of the cup, securing it firmly with clear tape.
Tie the balloon’s mouth so that the knot sits as close to the center as possible.
Cut the paper plate to remove one-quarter of the circle along with the center, then make radial slits on the inner edge and attach it to the rim side of the paper cup.
You can play with it as is, but it looks cute if you draw on it or decorate it with colored paper.
It’s a fun item you can use both indoors and outdoors.
In conclusion
We introduced some games you can play with paper cups. There were lots of activities that make the most of how light and sturdy paper cups are, as well as crafts you can enjoy indoors. Did you find any games you’d like to try? If you have any unused paper cups at home, be sure to include them in your everyday play!