Yogurt Cup Crafts

Mystery Cup Game

Remember the walnut shell memory game? Try this same concept using yogurt cups. Collect three identical cups and invert them on a tabletop. Place a small object under one and then start rearranging the positions of the cups, sliding them on the table. See if children can guess which cup has the object underneath. Continue playing the game allowing all the members of the family to take turns.

Blowing in the Wind

A yogurt cup makes a cute little windsock to be placed outdoors or inside a breezy window. Have the kids cut out the bottom of yogurt cups and staple colorful ribbons to the bottom edge. The sides of the cup can be decorated as the children wish. Punch four holes equally spaced along the top edge of each cup. Lace a piece of yarn through each hole and knot tightly. Bring up all four lengths of yarn together and knot them at the top to make a hanger. Suspend these cups in a windy spot and watch the colorful windsocks fly in the air.

Circle Painting

Young or old, children will enjoy making circle print collages with yogurt cups. Pour a small amount of poster paint into a shallow container, such as a sturdy paper plate. Have the kids dip the rims of the cups into the paint and then press them onto paper to make circle prints. Use both top and bottom rims for a variation of size. Use different color paints, mixing, matching and comparing new colors made. Dip and print; continue making this circle collage covering the entire page. Enhance this print art with glitter or sparkling salt.

Ring-Toss Game

Kids bored? Need a quick game for fun? Cut out the center sections from yogurt cup lids. Use them to play a ring-toss game by turning a stool upside down on the floor and having the children try to toss the rings over the legs. Keep score—who can get the most rings on a spindle?

Noise Makers

Make some noise and explore the sense of sound at the same time. Yogurt cups are a source of easy-to-make sound shakers. Make sure each container has a lid. Fill the containers one-quarter to one-half full with dry beans, rice, pebbles, sand, beads, coins, etc. Seal the tops with a bead of heavy glue. Invite the kids to decorate these shakers. Materials such as magazine cutouts, colored papers, wrapping paper, stickers and more can be glued on. Enhance with markers if desired. Shake, shake, shake and compare the sounds made by the different materials.

To turn this a game, make pairs of the same noisemakers. Place these on a table and mix the cups around. Ask the children to shake each container and find the matches by listening to the differences in sound.

Humming Cups

Yogurt containers are perfect for making these unique, homemade instruments that will have your children singing and dancing.

Cut the bottoms out of the cups. Let the kids cover the tops of the cups with waxed paper and secure the paper with the rubber bands. Show them how to touch their lips to the paper and hum a tune. Together observe how the paper vibrates, causing a humming sound. Sing a song while the children play their instruments, or turn on the radio and "play" along with the music.

Yogurt Cup Pin Cushion

Do you want a cute gift to make from a yogurt cup? Any mom, grandmother, or aunt would love this creative work of art made by you and your child (an older child could do this craft alone, too).

Cut a piece of fabric three inches larger than the circumference of the yogurt cup rim. Sew a running stitch one-half inch from the edge of the fabric or show your older child how to do this. Gently gather the thread and pull to make this fabric into a "cushion" shape. Stuff the inside of the cushion with fiberfill until firm. Apply glue just inside the rim of the cup and place the cushion inside.

To decorate the outside, choose fabric, paper, or decorated adhesive paper. Glue in place and invite your child to enhance the cup as desired. Allow to dry and place a few brightly colored sewing pins into the pincushion before delivering this gift.