These paper cup animals are cute, easy, and budget-friendly. With just a few supplies, your kids can make a pig, cow, chick, and bunny for creative play and more.
This project is perfect for farm or spring themes, rainy day fun, or classroom activities. Plus, it’s simple to set up and full of creative possibilities. I’m sharing my tips and step-by-step instructions to make it even easier to enjoy!
Simple and Sweet Ways to Boost Storytime
When my boys were little, some of our best memories came from simple hands-on activities. I loved when we could pair a story with a creative project, using whatever supplies we had on hand. Leftover paper cups from a party and construction paper scraps turned were like gold!
Many times, our crafts were story extensions. After reading The Three Little Pigs, we’d make pig paper cup animals. For a chick, The Little Red Hen was a favorite. Dr. Seuss’s Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? always inspired a paper cup cow. And bunnies showed up for classics like Goodnight Moon, The Runaway Bunny, and Guess How Much I Love You.
Kids connect with animals in such powerful ways and these crafts help with that. Rediscovering a few of our old creations recently reminded me how fun and meaningful they can be. That’s why I’m so excited to share them with you today. I hope they help your kids create, imagine, and connect with you.
What You’ll Need to Make These Paper Cup Animals
You don’t need anything fancy to make these paper cup animals. In fact, you probably have these simple craft supplies at home, in your classroom, or tucked away in your art stash. Gather these materials before you start so kids can get right to creating their pig, cow, chick, and bunny.
- Paper cups
- Acrylic paint: pink, white, yellow, black
- Paintbrushes
- Construction paper: pink, black, orange, white
- Glue
- Scissors
- Optional: googly eyes, stickers, foam shapes, pom poms, pipe cleaners
How to Make These Paper Cup Crafts
Paint the Cups.
Pig: Paint the cup pink. Cow: Paint the cup white and add black spots. Chick: Paint the cup yellow. Bunny: Paint the cup white.
Create Noses.
Use scissors to cut out the nose shapes from construction paper:
Pig: pink oval
Cow: pink oval
Chick: orange triangle
Bunny: pink triangle or rounded shape
Make the Ears:
Use scissors to cut out the different ear shapes from construction paper:
Pig: two pink triangles
Cow: two black or dark gray ear shapes
Chick: two small yellow wing-like shapes
Bunny: two long white ears
Add Details and Glue on the Parts:
Paint nostril details on the pig and cow noses. Paint the inner part of the bunny ears pink.
Glue the noses onto the front of each cup. Glue the ears onto the top of each cup. Attach any other details like wings for the chick.
Paint whiskers and a mouth on the bunny.
Creative Ways to Use Your DIY Animal Crafts
1. Storytime Puppets: Turn your pig, cow, chick, and bunny into puppets. Use for retelling favorite books or making up new stories.
2. DIY Decorations: Line the crafts up on a windowsill, bookshelf, or classroom display. They’re super cute decorations for a homeschool room, library corner, or party.
3. Learning Games:
- Use them as “mystery cups” to hide letters, numbers, or small objects.
- Match animals with sounds (Which animal says moo?).
- Use as a prompt for telling a fact about the animal.
4. Rainy Day Rescue: Keep a stash of the supplies ready. Perfect for when you need a quick craft!
FAQs about This Paper Cup Animals
These paper cup animals are perfect for preschool through elementary ages. Younger kids may need help with cutting and gluing. And your older kids can get creative with extra details.
Yes! Paper cups are easiest to paint, but plastic or Styrofoam cups will work, too. Just make sure to use paint that adheres to the surface (like acrylic).
Set aside about 20–30 minutes, depending on how much detail your kids want to add.
Absolutely! Once you get the hang of it, kids can design any animal they like. You’ll just need to change the paint colors, ears, or nose shapes.
Enjoy Making Your Own Paper Cup Animals
These paper cup animals are such simple ways to bring more fun and creativity into your day. I hope this project inspires you to dig into your own craft supplies and enjoy a little creative time together.
Don’t forget to pin this idea for later and share it with a friend! Oh, and please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions about these paper cup animals, too.
