Paper cup telephones

Paper cup telephones

This week the girls are on holiday from school so we decided to have some fun with this classic craft and DIY toy. I’m guessing that many people from my generation or older would remember making telephones from cups or tin cans as kids. I know I do and I remember how much fun my sister and I had playing with them. Our version is colourful and crafty and the kids loved decorating the cups to make them look special. This is a very simple and easy activity that doesn’t take too much time, skill or effort, and it’s a great way to teach kids how sound travels as well.

You will need

Note – affiliate links have been included for your convenience but many items you may already have or be able to get easily and inexpensively from a local store. The items linked to are very similar to what I’ve used but may not be the exact items.

• blank paper cups
• watercolour paints and paintbrushes
• sharpie markers
• string
• sharp knife or scissors
• 2 small beads

How To

To begin with we painted our cups with watercolour paints and allowed them to dry completely before decorating with sharpie markers.

Paper cup telephones - painting

Paper cup telephones - markers

Telephones-4

Once your cups are decorated, cut a small slit in the base of the cup in the centre and thread the end of a long piece of string in. Tie your small bead to the end to stop it sliding back out through the hole.

Now you’re ready to play.

Telephones-8

For best results keep the string tight. Have fun!

More fun ways to craft and play

– make a whirlygig with printable patterns
– have fun designing your own cereal box boardgame
– make simple toilet roll shakers
– make spinning tops from milk bottle lids in just a few minutes
– make boats from sponges and duct tape to take in the bath
– make rock cakes for pretend play
– dance and play with a simple gold ribbon dancer

You can also find tons more ideas on our craft and play board on Pinterest.

paper cup telephone

 

Similar Posts

  • Multiplication mandalas

    This set of Printable Multiplication Mandalas is a relaxing and enjoyable way for kids to practice and reinforce their times tables.  Get the templates here Do you remember having to learn your times tables as a kid? I can remember reciting them daily, and I can even remember some of them still. However, creating these printable…

  • Yarn turtle craft

    Here’s a fun and easy yarn turtle craft kids can make using our DIY pom pom maker plus a free printable template. They’re made using the same technique as our fluffy-tum pandas and also our popular pom pom hedgehogs. You might also like these yarn crafts for kids This turtle craft combines a beautiful ocean…

  • Paper heart spinners

    Make a paper heart spinner decoration that twirls in the breeze, or when you blow on it gently. This is a fun STEM craft for Valentine’s Day and is easy enough for all age groups from around 6 and up. Get the printable template here Hearts are the prettiest shape to craft with, don’t you…

  • easy apple craft for kids

    Here is a cute apple craft for kids which is both fun and easy (OK, it’s VERY easy). Recently we shared a cardboard apple tree craft with apples kids can pick. It was more of a DIY toy which can be incorporated into imaginary play and early counting practice. This one I’m sharing today is an…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *