I do love a coffee. It’s such a pleasure to grab one from a café, and sometimes essential to get my brain switched on! During recent months, however, it’s become a guilty pleasure. The guilt comes not from the caffeine or cost, but from the cup. For years I worked hard to avoid getting takeaway coffee in disposable cups, diligently bringing my own reusable cup with me at all times. COVID restrictions now mean that any local takeaway coffee comes in takeaway cups, and I definitely don’t feel comfortable with the waste that creates. I now have a small pile of disposable cups washed and stacked in my craft supplies and have been thinking of ways to incorporate them into kids crafting.

Turns out there are zillions of ways they can be used with kids. For starters they’re great for holding art supplies, effective as pots for paint and water. They can be sandpit scoops or water pourers, make great little pots for seedlings or succulents, and are easily adapted for sorting games. They can be the basis of lots of craft ideas as they’re easily painted, cut or glued onto. Parts can be cut away, decorations and details can be added … with a bit of imagination the humble cup can be transformed.

I’ve sketched a few simple cup craft ideas below, not offering step-by-step instructions… rather sharing some simple ideas which may inspire you and the children to get crafty with any cups you may acquire. Enjoy!