Home > Arts and Crafts Projects for Kids > Disposable Crafts for Kids to Make with Paper Cups, Plastic Cups, and Styrofoam Cups
Below you will find arts and crafts projects for children to craft with paper cups, styrofoam cups, and plastic cups. Find out how to recycle and make cool stuff with disposable cups with the following arts and crafts decorations, instructions, patterns, and activities for children, preschoolers, teens.
This is going to be a lot of fun, I'm sure of it. Just take 2 cups and glue their bottoms together as seen in the illustrations above. Then cut out triangle 'M' like shapes from the top of the top cup for the crown. Then cut out strips of paper for hair by cutting a rectangle, long strip and then cutting down towards the bottom many times. Cut out arms by drawing a long oval with 2 letter 'U' thumbs on both ends (seen in illustration above). Then cut this out.Glue the hair and the arms to the cup figure. Then use paint or markers to draw eyes, nose, and mouth. Add clothes with paint, fabric, or felt. Make both a Queen and a King and you have 2 toy figures to play with.
This is a really beautiful craft to make, especially as a gift for somebody special...like Mom or Grandma. Get some 3 oz cups - preferrably in different colors. Cut slits all down the sides of the 3 oz cups, as pictured above. Then glue one sliced cup inside another cup, as seen above. Then use a pencil to poke a hole in the center of the cups that you just put together. Then fold the sliced cup segments back like petals. Now get a drinking straw and place it through the center hole that you just created...as seen in the picture above. Now get some colorful tissue paper and crumple it up in a ball and glue it to the center of the flower. To make the flowers look even nicer, make a bunch of them and then wrap them in a nice piece of wrapping paper or decorative paper and wrap it together with a piece of ribbon tied in a bow. Looks great!
Make sure nobody around you has peanut allergies before starting. It is super easy to make a peanut tossing cup game if you know how to do it. Just get a cup and poke a hole in the bottom of it. Find a peanut and then tie a knot around it. Then push the string through the bottom of the cup and knot it on the other end. Then just glue a straw or a pencil inside the side of the cup (you might have to poke a bit of a hole first). Then just play the peanut tossing game. See how many times you can get it in the cup per minute.
To make this golden trophy, you will need a large cup and a smaller cup. You can use yellow cups or you can cover them with yellow paper or paing. Then Glue the bigger one to the bottom of the smaller one ... as seen above. To make the trophy handles....you can cut a circle for each handle. Then fold it in half and cut a half circle out of the circle. Then fold the solid part in half... glue that part to the bigger cup. You can then paint a message on the trophy ... such as '#1'.
Any boy or girl can make this amusing little play toy that will keep them entertained for hours at a time. Tie one end of a piece of string around the rim of the thimble. Force the other end of the string through the little grooved notch on top of the spool, as in illustration A. Straighten out a large hair pin. Rebend the hair pin to make a crank handle, as in illustration B. Force the hair pin through the hole in the center of the spool. Wind the string on the spool. It will fill in the groove in the crank handle. Drop the thimble bucket into the drinking cup filled with water. Rest the hair pin, with the spool on it, across the top of the drinking cup, as in illustration C. Turn the crank handle to wind the string onto the spool, and to draw up a thimble bucketful of water.
You'll be able to speak to your friend through this toy telephone almost as if the telephone were real. Make a small hole in the bottoms of 2 flat-bottom drinking cups. Pull one end of a piece of string, about 2 yards long, through the hole in one of the cups. Pull the end of the string inside the cup, through the holes in a button and fasten with a knot. This is to prevent the string from pulling out of the cup. Do the same with the other end of the string and the other cup. Take hold of one cup telephone and give the other one to your friend and start to talk. Try having your friend stand in one room and you in another with the door closed between you. You will be amazed because you will be able to hear each other just as if you were talking on a real telephone.
To make this craft, you will need one large colored paper cup, scissors, enough heavy colored yarn for a handle, paste, decorative items, cut flowers or lollipops or pieces of wrapped candy, etc. To make this, start off by punching holes on opposite sides of the cup just below the top rim. Insert colored yarn through the holes and tie to form a handle. If you wish, you may type a name, a wish (such as I wish You a Happy Birthday), a Scripture verse, etc and paste on outside of cup. If cup is a plain color, you may decorate it with flower decals, stickers, pictures, sealsetc. (See sketch.) Before giving your treast to the special recipient, you can add some cut flowers, lollipops, cookies, or pieces of wrapped candy.
Make a Halloween Pumpkin Tree Craft with Twigs and Disposable Cups - This Halloween tree will add a nice touch to your living room. And you don’t even have to throw it away when Halloween is over. You can just remove the pumpkins and add stars and you’ll have a Christmas tree.
Create Bells from Drinking Cups - There is a lot of creativity that you can do to make a really festive Christmas Bell.
Airplanes - Find out how you can make your own plane using recycled materials.
A
Paper Cup Lions - Children can create their own lion craft using a paper cup and a toilet paper roll.
A
Playful Pop-Up Pumpkin Puppets -
These Pop-Up Pumpkin Puppets makes a great Halloween craft for kids.
Beaded Wind Chimes - Learn how you can make this beautiful beaded wind chime with your children.
Bean
Beginnings - This is a great kid’s craft to go along with the Jack and the Beanstalk fairy tale.
Box Living Rooms - Learn how to make a doll house living room using recycle boxes and paper cups.
Bunny
Cups - Find out how children can turn a Stryofoam cup into an Easter Bunny!
Butterfly
Feeders - Bring beautiful butterflies into your garden with a homemade butterfly feeder.
Cactus
Flower Favors -
Make these cactus flower favors for your Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Catch
the Bead Games -
This is a fun reflex game for children to make and play with after.
Celestial
Dreams Pencil Cups - Use Crayola products to do a plastic container into a beautiful pencil cup.
Chick
& Bunny Treat Holders - Find out how you can make a chick and a bunny treat holders for Easter!
Chinese
Red Lanterns -
Make this Chinese Red Lantern for Chinese New Year from two foam cups and other materials.
Clay
Bouquet in Yogurt Cup Vases -
Learn to make a clay bouquet with a yogurt cup or a small plastic
cup.
Cup
and Ball Angel Crafts - Make this beautiful Christmas Angel tree topper from a polystyrene ball and a paper cup.
Cup
and Ball Games -
Find out how you can make a homemade cup and ball game.
Cup
and Ball Joseph Crafts - Make a homemade Joseph for your nativity scene using a polystyrene ball and a paper cup.
Cup
and Ball King Crafs - Make a homemade Kings for your nativity scene using three polystyrene balls and three paper cups.
Cup
and Ball Mary Crafts - Make a homemade Mary for your nativity scene using a polystyrene ball and a paper cup.
Cup
and Ball Santa Crafts - Find out how you can make a Santa Christmas decoration using a polystyrene ball and a paper cup.
Cup
and Ball Shepherd Crafts - Make a homemade Shepherd for your nativity scene using a polystyrene ball and a paper cup.
Cup
o' Fishes - Learn how to make an edible aquarium in a cup by following these instructions.
Cupid
Takes Aims -
Find out how you can make Cupid's quiver full of arrows for Valentine's Day.
Daffadill
Photo Magnets -
Make this adorable daffodil photo fridge magnet using two yellow plastic cups, green construction paper, scissors, glue, a small photo and magnet.
Diwali
Lights - Create a few Diwali lights decorations using Crayola products, plastic cups and tissue papers.
Dragon
Kites -
Kids can make a cool dragon kite from paper and paper cups.
Easter
Basket Favors - These beautiful Easter basket favors are simple to make and perfect your Easter brunch.
Easy
Ghost Crafts - Make a simple ghost decoration for Halloween using polystyrene drinking cup, white tissue paper, paper fastener, thread and a black pen.
Fabulous
Frog Catching a Fly -
Find out how you can make this frog catching a fly craft using a paper cup, green tissue paper, tape and other materials.
Fire
Dog Cup Puppets -
This is a great craft to go with educating children about fire safety.
Friendship Lockets - Show your friends how much they mean to you by making these friendship lockets for them.
Ghoul
Favor Cups -
Make these Ghoul Favor Cups for Halloween using orange and black paper drink cups, orange card stock, orange chenille stems, glass beads, a small drinking glass to fit inside the paper cup and a craft knife (used by an adult).
Grow
a Leprechauns - Find out how you can grow your own leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day.
Grow
an Avocado Trees - Learn how you can grow your own avocado tree with the help of a Styrofoam cup.
Halloween
Paper Cup Baskets - Learn how to make Halloween paper cup baskets for the big night!
Hot Air Balloons - Find out how children can create their own hot air balloon display for their bedroom.
How
to Make a Cup Anemometers - Make your own anemometers using five small paper cups and a few other supplies.
How
to Make a Paper Cup Person With Growing Grass Hair - This tutorial will show you how to make a paper cup person with growing grass hair in a few steps.
How
to Make a Paper Lighthouses - This easy to make paper lighthouse will guide you the way home!
How
to Make Nesting Dolls - Find out how you can make homemade nesting dolls from paper cups, newspaper, flour and other materials.
How
to Make Paper Cup Drums With Preschoolers - Learn how toddlers and preschoolers can make their own drums from paper cups.
Ice Cream Sundaes - Make a realistic ice cream sundae from a paper cup and salt dough.
I'm
Cocoa for You - This is a great way to show someone how much you love them on Valentine's Day.
Independence
Day Bells -
Children can celebrate Independence Day by making these Independence Day bells.
July
4th Craft: Patriotic Punch Cups - Make these patriotic punch cups for your Independence Day celebration from plastic cups, stickers, and other materials.
Kiddush
Cups -
Find out how your kids can make their own Kiddush cups for Passover.
Let’s
Play Mancalas - Use Crayola products, paper cups and a box to make this homemade mancalas game.
Luau
Crafts -
Make these amazing luau crafts for your next luau themed party.
Magical
Mosaic Cups - Children can make a homemade mosaic designed cup using Crayola products and a paper cup.
Make
a Cup Laughs - This video tutorial will show kids how to make a musical noisemaker from a paper cup.
Mini
Easter Basket Tutorials - Learn how you can make these beautiful mini Easter baskets in a few easy steps.
Make
a Magic Turtles -
Make a magic turtle from a plastic cup, colored felt, rubber cement, wooden dowel, green tube sock, scissors, string and pillow stuffing.
Make
a Plastic Cup Monsters -
This is the perfect educational Halloween craft for preschoolers.
Make
Your Own Dragon Puppet for Asian New Year- These
are instructions that shows you how you can make your own dragon puppet for Chinese New
year.
Mardi
Gras Cup Shakers -
Make Mardi Gras cup shakers using polystyrene cups, green and purple paint, dried beens, gold star stickers and sticky tape.
Miniature
Uncle Sam Hats -
These miniature Uncle Sam hats would make great decorations for your Independence Day celebration.
Mixed-Media
Mosquito Lamps - Find out how you can make a mixed-media mosquito lamp with your kids.
Monkey Trees - Make a monkey on a banana tree craft using simple materials such as a paper cup and green construction paper.
Moon
Rock Pencil Cups - Make a moon rock pencil cup using Crayola products and a recycled plastic container.
Mouse
in a Cup Crafts - Follow these instructions to create this adorable mouse in a cup craft.
Mother's
Day Flower Pot Hangings -
This flower pot hanging is the perfect Mother's Day present.
Mummy
Treat Cups -
This is an easy and fun Halloween craft for children of all ages.
Mushroom
Tutorials - In this tutorial you will learn how to
make mushrooms out of paper cups.
Naaman
in the Jordan River -
This craft goes well with the Bible story "Naaman in the Jordan River".
Not-So-Tribal
Masks -
Find out how you can make a Not-So-Tribal Mask of your own!
Number Caterpillar - This is a fun and educational caterpillar craft for preschoolers and toddlers.
One
Very Cool Cow - Make this very cool cow using a paper cup, white tissue
paper, tape, a black pipe cleaner, black construction paper and a few other supplies.
Out
of This Worlds - In this craft, children will be using their creativity to make colorful creatures out of this world!
Paper Cup Angels -
Find out how you can make a beautiful angel out of a paper cup and a Styrofoam ball.
Paper
Cup Baskets -
Learn how to make a paper cup basket.
Paper
Cup Bats - Make a bat Halloween decoration from a paper cup, polystyrene ball, black paint, glue, wiggle eyes, black craft foam and white puff paint.
Paper Cup Bells - Use
a paper cups and other inexpensive materials to make Christmas bell decorations.
Paper Cup Buckets - Find out how you can make cute treasure buckets from paper cups and other materials.
Paper
Cup Cat Crafts - Make
a spooky Halloween cat decoration using a paper cup and a polystyrene ball.
Paper
Cup Crafts -
Find out how you can make a reindeer cup, mouse in a cup, and jellyfish from paper cups.
Paper
Cup Creations -
Here are fun ways your children can recycle paper cups.
Paper
Cup Crowns -
Learn to make crowns out of paper cups!
Paper
Cup Indian Chiefs - Make an Indian Chief from a polystyrene ball, a paper cup, brown paint and other materials.
Paper
Cup Leprechauns - Make a Leprechaun for St. Patrick's Day from a polystyrene ball, a paper cup, paint, wiggle eyes, craft foam, black pen and glue.
Paper
Cup Menorahs - Children can make a Menorah for Hanukkah using 14 paper cups and 9 flat wooden craft spoons!
Paper
Cup Monsters - Children can use their creativity to make a monster out of a paper cup and polystyrene ball.
Paper
Cup Oxes - Celebrate the Year of the Ox by making an Ox from inexpensive materials such as a paper cup and a polystyrene ball.
Paper
Cup Phone Crafts - Children can make their own telephone using two paper cups, nail, two paper clips and a long string.
Paper
Cup Pigs - Make cute little pigs using paper cups, pink tissue paper, tape, pink pipe cleaners, white paper scissors, glue and crayons.
Paper
Cup Pilgrim Boy - Find out how your children can make a Pilgrim Boy craft for Thanksgiving.
Paper
Cup Pilgrim Girl - Find out how your children can make a Pilgrim Girl craft for Thanksgiving.
Paper
Cup Races - Learn how you can make this fun paper cup race game to play with your family and friends.
Paper
Cup Reindeers -
Learn to make a reindeer out of a paper cup.
Paper
Cup Rockets - Learn how to make a rocket out of four paper cups.
Paper
Cup Rudolph - Make a Rudolph Christmas decoration from a polystyrene ball, a paper cut and other materials.
Paper Cup
Sailboats - Find out how you can make a sailboat out of a paper cup with your kids.
Paper
Cups Christmas Trees -
Make a Christmas tree decoration using 10 paper cups, 1 rubber band, and other supplies.
Paper
Cup Scotman - Find out how you can make a simple Scotsman character for St Andrew's Day!
Paper
Cup Turkeys - Here is a fun and simple Thanksgiving craft for children of all ages.
Paper
Cup Turkeys -
Learn how to make a cute turkey decoration for your Thanksgiving dinner.
Paper
Cup Witches -
Find out how kids can make a spooky witch decoration for your Halloween party!
Papier-Mache
Fish - Hang several papier-mache fish to set a whimsical tone.
Playful Popup Pumpkin Puppet - Make a spooky popup pumpkin puppet for Halloween from a paper cup and other inexpensive materials.
Peek-A-Boo
Groundhog Craft - Follow these instructions to make this cute a peek-a-boo groundhog puppet with your child.
Pilgrim
Hats -
Learn how to make pilgrim hats from Styrofoam or paper cups.
Pilgrim
Hat Thanksgiving Cup -
These adorable Pilgrim hat will be a favorite at your Thanksgiving dinner!
Plastic
Cup Bug Lanterns -
In this tutorial you will learn how to make little bug
lanterns from plastic cups.
Plastic
Cup Crows - Find out how you can make a crow from two small plastic cups!
Plastic
Cup Flowers -
Turn plastic cups into beautiful flowers in a few simple steps.
Plastic
Cup Ghosts -
Learn how you can make these adorable ghosts for Halloween from plastic cups.
Potted
Tissue Flowers Crafts - Find out how you to make these beautiful potted flowers using tissue paper, green pipe cleaner, plaster of Paris and plastic cups.
Plastic
Cup Hanging Bats - These spooky bats will look amazing at your Halloween party!
Polar
Bear Crafts for Kids - This is a cool polar bear dessert dish craft for children of all ages.
Polar
Bear Puppets -
This is a fun and easy polar bear craft for young children and it will help them to develop their motor skills.
Pop
Out Valentines - This is an adorable and fun Valentines craft idea for young children.
Potted Sunflowers - Find out how you can make these beautiful potted sunflowers using materials around the house.
Pull-Along Dragon Toy - Celebrate Chinese New Year by making this pull-along dragon toy with your child.
Really
Funny Roosters - Make this really funny rooster using a paper or Styrofoam cup and other supplies.
Recycling Crafts for Kids : Mini Paper Vases -
Learn to make a mini vase with paper cups.
Reindeer
Treat Cups - Make a few reindeer treat cups and put them all over the house during the holidays.
Rudolph
Paper Cup Craft -
This is a fun and simple Christmas craft for children of all ages!
Shape Flowers - Make these beautiful flowers using construction paper, paper cup, drinking straws, scissors, craft knife (adult only), glue stick, pencil, and dough.
Silver
Bells -
Learn how to make silver bells out of a paper cups.
Simple
Paper Cup Puppet -
Follow these instructions to turn a paper cup into a simple puppet!
Snowman
Cups -
Make this adorable snowman cup with your children during their winter break.
Snow
Globes - Make a beautiful and unique snow globe using a plastic cup!
Soap
in a Cups - Find out how you can make these creative soaps in cups at home!
Stalactite
Pencil Cups - Keep your bedroom desk organized with these Stalactite Pencil Cups.
St.
Patrick's Day Shamrocks - Make a basket full of shamrocks using a paper cup, tissue paper, ribbon and green construction paper.
Styrofoam
Cup Dog Craft for Dog's Colorful Day -
This is a fun craft for toddlers and preschoolers.
Styrofoam
Cup Easter Bunny Crafts - Make this adorable Easter bunny using only 2 paper cups, construction paper, ribbon, glue and scissors.
Styrofoam
Cup Flowers Crafts - Find out how we turned Styrofoam cups into beautiful flowers!
Styrofoam
Cup Leprechaun Hats -
This is a fun and inexpensive St. Patrick's Day craft for children.
Styrofoam
Cup Penguins -
Make these cute penguins from materials you can easily find around the house.
Styrofoam
Cup Spring Hats -
Find out how kids can make these beautiful miniature spring hats from Styrofoam cups.
Styrofoam
Leprechaun Hat Crafts - Make a unique Leprechaun hat decoration for St. Patrick's Day using a Styrofoam cup.
Styrofoam
Snowman Crafts -
Make this adorable snowman and display it by your Christmas tree!
Styrofoam
Tower Vases - Learn how to make this inexpensive but elegant tower vase by following these instructions.
Sunshine
Flower Pots - This would make an excellent Easter or spring craft for children.
The
Great Cardboard Castle - For this craft, children will be using recycled materials to make a great cardboard castle.
Tissue
Angels - Kids can make a tissue Angel for each bathroom for the holidays!
Tissue
Treasure Box - Follow the instructions to make a beautiful tissue treasure box like this one.
Uncle
Sam Craft - Learn how you can make an Uncle Sam craft for Independence Day by using a paper cup, a polystyrene ball and a few other materials.
Valentine's
Day Cups - Give someone special one of these adorable cups for Valentine's Day.
Winter
Snow Globes -
Find out how kids can make their own winter snow globes using a plastic cup, cardboard and Crayola products.
Yummy
Mummy Treat Cups - Make these adorable Mummy treat cups for Halloween party!