Paper cup crafts that elementary school kids will love! A collection of fun project ideas
By using familiar materials like paper cups, you can easily create projects that make people say “Wow!” There are lots of fun crafts that also let you learn about the wonders of science, such as beads that bounce with sound, pinwheels that spin, and planes that float gently through the air.
They’re perfect for summer vacation research projects, too! Even kids who aren’t good at crafts can make wonderful creations by following the steps.
Here, we introduce a variety of fun and mysterious crafts made with paper cups.
Be sure to read to the end!
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- Craft ideas using plastic bottle caps [for boys]
- [Nursery/Kindergarten] Crafts you can play with after making them
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- Crafts parents and kids can enjoy together. Recommended craft ideas to keep children entertained.
- [Milk Carton Crafts] Fun ideas for elementary school kids. Perfect for summer vacation homework!
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Paper Cup Crafts That Captivate Elementary School Kids! A Collection of Fun Project Ideas (81–90)
Paper cup Tyrannosaurus
Pull the tail and the mouth snaps open! This is an irresistibly cute paper-cup Tyrannosaurus! Cut the rim of a paper cup and make two slits on the side; when you open it up, it becomes the T.
rex’s wide-opening mouth.
Use an awl to make a hole in the bottom, and thread a string through.
Make holes in the bottom and side of another paper cup for the body, then thread the same string from the bottom to the side—mechanism complete.
Finish it as a dinosaur using construction paper and markers, and cover the pulling section to look like a tail with construction paper, etc.
Gumball machine
Bring the beloved gumball machine home! Use a paper cup and make holes where the gumballs come out, where the handle goes, and where the gumballs drop.
Take a rolled piece of paper, cut a hole for the gumball exit, and insert it into the paper cup.
To help the gumballs slide smoothly, cut another paper cup at an angle, attach plastic wrap to the bottom, and make a slope.
Then create the gumball storage section with a clear plastic cup, stack everything together, and you’re done! Try making it together with your mom and dad!
Parachute
Make a parachute easily with a paper cup! First, use one pair of chopsticks, one short chopstick, and a rubber band to make a slingshot.
Next, cut four slits in the bottom section of a paper cup that’s been cut in half, attach rubber bands, and mount it on the slingshot to complete the launcher.
Then, attach four pieces of kite string to the sealed side of a plastic bag that’s been cut in half and tie them together.
Add a weight made of aluminum foil there to finish the parachute! Put the parachute into the paper cup and launch it like a slingshot to play!
pinhole camera
Cut nine pieces of black construction paper to match the shape of the sides of a paper cup.
Line a paper cup with aluminum foil after making a hole in its bottom, then poke holes in the foil with a needle.
Next, attach slitted tracing paper to a paper cup with the bottom removed.
Stick the black construction paper you cut at the beginning to the inside and outside of five of the paper cups.
Finally, assemble them in this order: the one with aluminum foil, three cups that only have their bottoms removed, and the one with tracing paper.
On a sunny day, take a look outside—you’ll see a mysterious scene!
Marionette
Let’s make a marionette with mysterious movements using a paper cup—easy enough for elementary school kids! Use a paper cup and a toilet paper roll to create the head and face.
Then use straws to make the arms and legs, with ping-pong balls for the hands and plastic bottle caps for the feet.
Connect everything except the head and torso using string threaded through the straws.
Finally, attach the control strings to the head and other parts, and make the handle by crossing two chopsticks into an X shape—then it’s complete!
Shooting game
Many adults probably felt their hearts race at a shooting gallery game, didn’t they? Let’s make a safe version for kids using paper cups.
Cut out the bottom of one paper cup with a utility knife.
Then take another cup, trim it to make it shallow, and cut small slits in its bottom; attach rubber bands so they hook onto a stick.
After that, stack the cups, pull back the rubber bands, and release! Since they’re just paper cups, it won’t hurt even if someone gets hit, but be sure to secure enough space before playing.
Elementary Schoolers Get Hooked on Paper Cup Crafts! A Collection of Fun Project Ideas (91–100)
Tongue-Lolling Ghost
Let’s make a Waggly-Tongue Ghost that you can create with nothing more than a paper cup! With an easy-to-find paper cup, you can whip up a fun toy in no time.
All you need are a paper cup and colored paper.
First, cut a slit in the cup.
Then, imagining the ghost’s tongue, attach colored paper to the inside of the cup and feed it through the slit.
Next, use stickers or markers to make a cute ghost face! If you draw just one eye, it might look even more ghost-like.
Once it’s finished, pinch both sides of the cup with your fingers and the tongue will waggle out—kids are sure to love it!
In conclusion
The world of crafts that unfolds from a single paper cup is more fun and richer than you might imagine. From lights and push-style trash bins to playful ghosts, they’re all projects that even elementary school students can easily make. Give them a try for summer vacation projects or craft time with friends. With a bit of creativity, you can create your very own original pieces—enjoy the wonderful world of paper cup crafts!