Paper Cup Lighthouse Light-up Craft

2
Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play

Fun Kids Crafts

Paper Cup Lighthouse Light-up Craft

Have loads of fun with this paper cup lighthouse which lights up too.

Simple to make, your child will love switching on the light and imagining it guiding ships at sea. 

All you need are some cups, paint and a battery tea light to start. It’s a lovely craft to enjoy together.

Summary

Time: 10 minutes
Ages: Little kids to Big kids
Difficulty: Easy peasy

1

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
1

You will need:

  • 2 white paper cups
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • 1 small clear plastic cup or pot
  • 1 small paper cup or condiment pot
  • Red paint – we prefer acrylic paints
  • Paint brush
  • Black Sharpie
  • Battery operated t-light

2

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
2

Step 1: Cut one of your cups

Take one of your paper cups and trim off the lip. Then make a cut from the lip to the bottom of the cup.

This is so that you can fit this paper cup on top of your second paper cup to make a really tall lighthouse.

The slit means you can make the top cup fit more snugly. You’ll glue it into place in the next steps.

3

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
3

Step 2: Gather your lighthouse materials

For your lighthouse you will need:

  • 2 paper cups (1 trimmed and cut as shown above)
  • 1 small plastic cup
  • 1 small paper cup or paper sauce pot

4

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
4

Step 3: Fit your paper cups together

Glue your trimmed paper cup on top of your other paper cup to make a really tall lighthouse.

Spread some glue along the trimmed edges of your top cup.

Glue it in place so that it fits snugly over the bottom cup.

5

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
5

Step 4: Paint on some stripes and prepare the lighthouse top

Paint some wide red stripes onto your lighthouse. We always find that acrylic paints work best but you can use any paints.

Glue the little paper cup on top of the clear plastic cup. Then paint the little paper cup red too.

If you can’t find a small paper cup or paper sauce pot then you can still make it work.

In this case either paint a stripe around the top of your plastic cup. Or glue a strip of red card around the top.

6

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
6

Step 5: Draw on the door and windows

With a black Sharpie pen, draw a door and some windows onto the bottom two cups.

Your lighthouse is almost complete. It just needs a light to warn ships away from the rocks.

7

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play
7

Step 6: Add the light

Place your battery operated tea light onto the top of the first two cups.

Add the clear plastic cup on top of the lighthouse, along with the painted red top.

Switch it on and your lighthouse is ready.

Easy paper cup lighthouse craft

Paper cup lighthouse craft - make these DIY light up lighthouses - a simple kids craft that can give them fun with imaginary play

Get FREE Phonics Flashcards

Grab our phonics letter pack today!

Join our weekly newsletter and get the best of our fun learning activities delivered straight to your inbox

newsletter printable
  • 15 first letter sounds
  • Initial sounds
  • Learn to read first words