Make an adorable paper cup bunny that hops and jumps!
Looking for a fun and easy Easter craft? These paper cup bunnies are not only cute — they actually hop and jump! With just a few simple supplies like paper cups, rubber bands, and our free printable bunny ear template, you can create a playful bunny that moves in two different ways.
The hopping bunny scoots forward with a wind-up motion, while the jumping bunny launches into the air when pressed down. It’s a simple STEM-inspired craft that’s great for kids and perfect for Easter!
Follow our step-by-step instructions below to make your own paper cup bunny. Will yours hop, jump, or both? Let’s get crafting!
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How to Make a Hopping Bunny Craft
Materials:
- Free Printable Paper Cup Bunny Ears Template
- White paper cup
- Permanent markers (black and pink)
- Glue tape
- White pom pom(s) (1 inch)
- Tacky glue
- Tape
- Rubber band
- 2 Plastic bottle caps
- Play-Doh
Equipment:
Watch the step-by-step video tutorial:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Decorate a paper cup to look like a bunny
- Hold a paper cup with the top (open part) towards you and draw a bunny face on the side with black marker.
- Print our free bunny ear template on cardstock and cut out the pieces. (Find the link in the materials list above.)
- Use a pink marker to colour the inside of the bunny ears.
- Fold the bottom part of the ear back along the dotted line. Then bend the ears in towards the center so they’re a bit curved.
- Add glue tape to the bottom flap of the ears and attach them to the bottom of the cup (the top of the bunny).
- Add tacky glue or hot glue to the back of the cup and attach a white pom pom or cotton ball for the bunny’s tail. Hold it in place until it stays on its own.
Step 3a: Make a running/hopping bunny
- At the side of the bunny, cut 2 small slits in the bottom of the cup, about 3/8 inch apart.Repeat on the other side, directly opposite.
- To make the bunny move you’ll need two plastic bottle caps. Fill one cap with a generous amount of Play-Doh (or something else to give the mechanism some weight).Make the Play-Doh stick up from the cap so that it fills both caps equally.
- Bring the bottle caps together and connect them with tape.
- Place a rubber band around the sides of the caps and tape it to either side.
- Connect either side of the rubber band into the slits.
- This is what it should look like from the bottom.
- To make the bunny move, turn the caps towards the bunny’s face, twisting the elastic about 20 to 30 times.
- Set the bunny down and watch him “hop” forward! Your paper cup bunny is complete.
Step 3b: Make a jumping bunny
- To make a jumping bunny, follow step 2 and decorate your paper cup. You can have fun giving this bunny a different look!
- 16 – Use a one hole punch to punch a hole on either side of the cup, near the lip.
- Slide a rubber band through one hole from inside the cup.
- Tape or staple the rubber band in place.
- Repeat on the other side.Here’s what it should look like from the bottom.
- To make the bunny hop, set another cup upside-down and place the bunny on top of it.(Securing the bottom cup to the floor or table with tape will make this process easier!)
- Press down on the bunny.
- Then let it go to watch the bunny jump into the air!
Helpful Tips:
- Choose the right rubber band: The key to getting this craft to work is using the right elastic. For the hopping bunny, a springy rubber band that fits snugly inside the cup works best. For the jumping bunny, you can also connect two smaller rubber bands if needed.
- Customize your bunny: Give each bunny a unique personality by changing the face design or using fun Easter colours for the inner ears.
- Secure the rubber band properly: If the tape on the jumping bunny comes loose and the elastic detaches, reapply fresh tape or staple the rubber band to the cup for extra durability.
- Keep the base cup steady: For the jumping bunny, try taping the base cup to the table or floor using painter’s tape. This will help keep it in place, making it easier for the bunny to jump!
Get our free printable paper cup bunny ears template:
The link below will take you to our free, printable paper cup bunny ears template! The PDF file will open in a new window. Then simply print the template on 8.5 x 11 (letter size) printer paper or cardstock.
>>> Paper Cup Bunny Ears Template <<<
How do the paper cup bunnies hop and jump?
The hopping bunny moves forward using a simple wind-up mechanism. Inside the cup, a rubber band twists around bottle caps, storing energy. When released, the rubber band unwinds, causing the bunny to scoot forward.
The jumping bunny works like a spring-loaded catapult. When you press the cup down, the stretched elastic stores energy. Releasing it lets the elastic snap back, launching the bunny into the air.
This fun Easter craft for kids doubles as a STEM activity, teaching about energy and motion in a hands-on way!
How many paper cups do I need to make this jumping bunny craft?
You’ll need 1 cup for each bunny, plus an extra cup for the jumping bunny to hop off of.
Can I still make the hopping paper cup bunny if I don’t have Play-Doh?
If you don’t have Play-Doh to weigh down the bottle caps for the hopping bunny, you can try:
- Clay (air-dry or homemade salt dough)
- Sticky tack
- Small coins or washers (tape them in place)
- Hot glue (fill the caps and let it dry)
- Marbles or beads glued inside the caps
While you can technically skip the weight, we found that adding it helps propel the bunny forward more effectively. And if you don’t have any of these materials, you can still make the jumping bunny version!
Why isn’t my paper cup bunny working properly?
Since this craft involves moving parts, it may take some adjustments to get it working smoothly. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Try a different elastic. Not all rubber bands are created equal! A band of the right length that has more tension works best.
- Adjust the rubber band tension. If the elastic is too loose or too tight, the bunny may not move properly. Try tweaking it until you find the right balance.
- Check the bottle cap weights. If the hopping bunny isn’t moving well, the caps may be weighted incorrectly or not attached securely to the rubber band. Ensure that the caps are in the middle and not dragging too much.
- Experiment with different setups. Small adjustments to the rubber band, weights, or how the elastic is positioned can make a big difference!
These paper cup bunnies are not only adorable, they’re interactive, too! Whether they hop forward or jump into the air, they’re a fun way to celebrate Easter while exploring a bit of STEM learning.
Try experimenting with different bunny faces, colours, and elastic tensions to make each one unique!
Here’s even more Easter craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
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