How to Make a Plastic Cup Lighthouse
This lighthouse craft is easy and so fun to make! Create your own adorable lighthouse using simple craft supplies. It's a great summer craft for kids, and fun for nautical-themed pretend play.
Yield: 1 lighthouse
Cost: $2
Materials
- Large plastic cup(s) (clear, 16 oz)
- Multi-surface acrylic paint (white)
- Electrical tape (red, or other colour)
- Black oil paint marker
- Small clear plastic cup(s) (clear, 9 oz)
- Battery operated tealight candle
Instructions
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Paint the large cup
- To make the lighthouse you'll need 2 sizes of plastic cups (read more details below the tutorial). We'll be making the lighthouse design on the larger cup.
- Add painter's tape around the cup, near the bottom. This will be the top of the lighthouse.The bottom point of the tape should measure just over 1-1/2 inches from the bottom of the cup.Keep the bottom of the tape really straight, so it attaches nicely to the cup. It's okay if the top part is wrinkled or creased, so long as there is a good seal along the bottom.
- Paint the rest of the cup white, using multi-surface acrylic paint to get good coverage.Allow to dry.
- Once the paint is completely dry, remove the painter's tape to reveal a crisp line of paint dividing the cup.
Step 3: Add the red stripes
- Carefully attach red electric tape around the cup, lining up the top of the tape with the top of the line. Work slowly, stretching the tape out a bit at a time so it applies smoothly.
- Apply a second line of tape, leaving about 3/4 inch of white space in-between.
Step 4: Add the lighthouse details
- Use a black paint marker to draw a railing near the top of the lighthouse.Start by drawing a line above the red tape. Then make another parallel line about 3/8 inch above the first. Connect the 2 lines with vertical lines about 3/8 inch apart.
- Use a pencil to draw a door and windows on the front of the lighthouse. (You can also add a couple more windows around the lighthouse, if you'd like.)
- Then colour the doors and windows with the black paint marker. Start by drawing the outline and then fill them in.
Step 5: Put the lighthouse together
- Now's the time to grab the smaller clear plastic cup. This will go inside the lighthouse.
- Place the cup upside-down and set a lit battery operated tea light candle on top.
- Now place your lighthouse cup over-top.
- Your plastic cup lighthouse craft is complete!
- Now turn off the light and see the lighthouse shine!
Video
Notes
Looking for more nautical-themed crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
Underwater Magic Sand
Pom Pom Fish
Beach Coloring Pages