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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!

Paper Cup Crafts That Elementary School Kids Will Love! A Collection of Fun Project Ideas (31–40)

“Wankoppu,” which sounds like a dog’s bark

Real!? A cup that makes a sound like a dog barking: 'Wancup' #crafts #handmadeToys #easyCrafts
“Wankoppu,” which sounds like a dog’s bark

This is a craft project: a dog mascot made from a paper cup that emits a sound like a real dog when you pull a chopstick attached to its tail.

The key is how to attach the pipe cleaner tail.

Attach a clip to the end of the pipe cleaner, thread it through a hole made in the paper cup, and secure it so that impacts resonate through the cup.

Once this part is complete, decorate the rest using a small paper cup, origami paper, and so on to create the dog’s appearance.

Then, by pinching the pipe cleaner in the gap between the chopsticks and pulling, the pipe cleaner’s vibrations are transmitted to the paper cup, producing a sound that resembles a dog’s bark.

How to make a paper-cup kendama

[Craft Play 073] How to Make a Paper Cup Kendama
How to make a paper-cup kendama

This is a paper-cup kendama made with a paper cup and plastic bottle caps.

First, poke a hole in the center of the bottom of the paper cup and thread a 60 cm piece of yarn through it.

Be careful not to hurt yourself when making the hole.

Tie a knot at the end of the yarn so it won’t slip out, and secure it to the outside bottom with cloth tape.

Tie a knot in the other end of the yarn as well, place it between two plastic bottle caps facing each other, and fasten them together with cloth tape.

That’s all it takes to complete the main body! After that, customize it with stickers or markers in any design you like.

It’s great because even kids who struggle with a real kendama can have fun and play together!

Paper cup cracker

[Paper Cup Craft] How to Make a Party Popper
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.

paper cup trumpet

[Instrument Craft] Paper Cup Trumpet (A Trumpet Like a String Telephone) [Easy Craft] Handmade Toy with Chopsticks
paper cup trumpet

This is a craft using a paper cup that can produce a trumpet-like sound when you pull the string sharply.

First, make a hole in the bottom of the paper cup, thread a string through it, and secure it with a short, folded toothpick so the string doesn’t slip out.

Then, when you pull the string vigorously, the impact on the string is transmitted to the paper cup, creating a trumpet-like sound.

You can pull the string with your hand, but using chopsticks is also recommended—try it out and see how the sound changes.

Since just building the mechanism can look simple, it’s also important to add your own decorations to the paper cup.

Paper cup fireworks

[Online Kindergarten] Paper Cup Fireworks: Parent-Child Craft at Home <Official from Kodomo Challenge>
Paper cup fireworks

Fireworks burst out of a paper cup! How about enjoying a bright, summery craft? First, prepare some copy paper and draw any patterns you like.

Crayons or pens with vivid colors are recommended.

Next, cut the paper in half, accordion-fold each piece, then fold them in half again.

Make a hole in the center of the bottom of a paper cup and insert a chopstick.

Finally, attach the accordion-folded pieces to both sides of the chopstick, and fix their ends to both sides of the cup to finish.

You’ll love the satisfying pop as the fireworks open! It’s easy to make, so give it a try.

Paper Cup Crafts That Elementary School Kids Will Love! A Fun Collection of Project Ideas (41–50)

The mechanism of sound! Paper cup crow

3rd grade elementary science: How sound works — paper cup crow
The mechanism of sound! Paper cup crow

How about using a paper cup to mimic the sound of a crow? It’s very easy to make! First, poke a hole in the bottom of a paper cup with a toothpick.

Next, thread a piece of string through the cup.

Finally, tie a toothpick to the end of the string inside the cup so it won’t slip out—that’s it! If you pinch and move the string sticking out from the bottom while gripping it with a piece of wet kitchen paper, it will produce a sound just like a crow’s call! The volume and pitch change depending on how you move and shake your fingers, so try out different techniques and see what kinds of sounds you can make.

Cute paper cup finger puppets

[Easy Craft] Using Only Paper Cups! How to Make Cute Finger Puppets [Scissor Practice] [Cute]
Cute paper cup finger puppets

Here’s an idea for making finger puppets using paper cups.

The example shown here is a dog finger puppet, but with a little creativity you can make all kinds of animals.

Once you have a paper cup, cut four vertical slits along the side and remove the excess parts while shaping the dog’s ears and the rings that go around your fingers.

The bottom of the cup will be the face, so draw any expression you like with a pen.

Paper cups come in various colors, so using different colors might expand your range of expression.