Easy Paper Cup Penguin Poppers Craft

Stuck inside?  Looking for a fun and simple craft with easy to find materials?  Then this easy paper cup craft is for you!  Grab the kiddos and make these cute paper cup penguins turned pom pom poppers for some indoor winter fun!

We all know the mantra, "Work hard, play hard."  Well, I've got a super fun paper cup craft the kiddos will love to put together once their school work is all done.  Because as you'll see as you keep reading, these cute penguins turn into pom pom poppers (!!) that'll bring laughter and smiles-- a perfect ''reward'' for a job well done, especially as we settle into these long, cold winter days.  

Alternatively, check out this cool Paper Cup Peacock Craft if you have a stash of paper cups to get rid of! 

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Easy Paper Cup Craft

If you enjoy *quick* trips to the dollar store, take this supply list with you.  But if you do not have exactly the same materials, you can still make it work!  For instance, if you don't have black paper cups and can't run to the store, just use white paper cups and paint or color them black.  Easy-peasy!  

Supplies:

• black paper cups
• white paper
• scissors
• googly eyes {provided by CraftProjectIdeas}
• balloon
• orange construction paper
• sharp knife
• glue
• pom poms, cotton balls, or marshmallows

Given the supply list, adult supervision for the beginning of the project is highly recommended and/or prep the cup and balloons before the kiddos get near the activity.  Please use your best judgment.

How to Make Penguin Poppers

Using a sharp knife, cut out the bottom of the cup.  

Next, tie the open end of the balloon into a knot.  Cut across the balloon at the opposite end.

Place the cut part of the balloon on the bottom end of the black cup.  It should stretch and completely cover the bottom of the paper cup.  If it happens to come off as it is pulled, see our ** below for some helpful tips!

Then, apply sticky googly eyes and a small triangle cut from orange paper for the penguin's beak.

Cut an oval out of white paper for the penguin's belly and apply with glue.

Easy paper cup craft turned penguin popper!

Once your penguin popper is assembled, gather cotton balls or marshmallows.

Place one or a couple in the open part of your penguin popper.

To shoot the cotton balls or marshmallows out, pull the knot of the balloon back and let go to launch what is inside!

• Sneak in some learning with this penguin craft by using a ruler to see whose penguin popped the farthest!
• Have one person be the popper and have the another person try to catch the cotton balls and/or marshmallows with their paper cup penguin craft.
• Set an empty basket across the room and see who can pop the most items into the basket.  For this, you may wish to use colored pop poms.

** Helpful tip! We had some issues with the balloons sliding off, so as you hold the penguin popper, wrap your hand around the base of the balloon and pull the knot with your other hand to help keep it in place.  Or you can attempt to apply a thin layer of glue or tape before putting on the balloon.

Ah!  These penguin poppers are just too cute!  And so fun!  So work hard, play hard people!

Hope you and your kiddos have fun making them!

More fun penguin activities for your kiddos!

• If you are working on a penguin theme, you might like to check out our Penguin Math Printable that works on patterns.

• Browse through some printables we used for our own Penguin Theme a few years ago!

• Penguin ten frame printables

• Penguin Roll & Cover Game