how to make a paper cup claw machine

How to Make a DIY Paper Cup Claw Machine

By Emily WilsonFebruary 21, 2026

Have you ever wondered how those claw machines at arcades and funfairs snatch up plush toys and prizes? Today, we're going to show you how to create a simplified version of this classic gadget using nothing but paper cups and a few other household items. Sure, it won't scoop up teddy bears, but it's a fun project that's perfect for rainy days, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone curious about basic engineering principles. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get started!

Our DIY paper cup claw machine will use the concept of center of gravity tonabout items from a small tray. When the tray tips over, anything on it will slide into a collection bin. Ready to assemble your own? Let's dive right in!

Gather Your Materials

The beauty of this project is that you probably already have most of the necessary materials at home. Here's a list of what you'll need:

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Paper cups (one large, two medium, and two small)
Aluminum foil or cardstock
A push pin or sharp pencil
String or commands
Small items for practice (like coins or cotton balls)
Tape or glue

That's it! With these simple supplies, you'll have your very own claw machine ready in no time.

Design Your Frame

Before we start assembling our claw machine, let's create a sturdy frame to hold everything together. You can use tape or glue, depending on what you have on hand.

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Base Platform

Take your large paper cup and make sure it's empty. This will serve as the base of our claw machine. It needs to be stable, so you might want to secure it to a table or heavy book for added stability.

If you want to make it extra secure, you can reinforce the bottom of the cup with a piece of cardstock or aluminum foil. Just trace around the bottom, cut it out, and glue it on. Once it's dry, your base is ready to go.

Tray Holder

Next, take one of your medium-sized cups and cut a small hole in the bottom using your push pin or sharp pencil. This hole will allow items to slide into the collection bin.

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Attach this cup to the side of the large base cup using tape or glue. Make sure the hole is facing the center of the base. This will be where our tray rests when in use.

Create Your Claw

Now that our frame is set up, it's time to create the actual claw that will grab and lift our items. For this, we'll use the remaining medium and small cups.

Claw Base

Take your second medium-sized cup and cut a small slit at the bottom, near the rim. This slit should be large enough to accommodate your string or commands.

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Now, cut another slit directly across from the first one. This will allow the string to slip through and create leverage when pulling on it.

Claw Tail

Grab your two small cups and cut one of them in half horizontally. This will create the tail of our claw that will support the weight of the items we're lifting.

Connect the cut half of the small cup to the bottom of the second medium-sized cup using tape or glue. Make sure the opening faces the same direction as the slits you cut earlier.

Assemble Your Machine

With our frame and claw ready, it's time to assemble our claw machine. Start by placing the medium-sized cup with the hole in it (our tray holder) into the large base cup.

Then, slip the string or commands through the slits in the claw base. Make sure the tail of the claw is resting on top of the medium-sized cup in the tray holder. Now, you should have a fully functional paper cup claw machine!

Testing Your Creation

Before we wrap up, let's test our machine to see if it works. Place a few small items like coins or cotton balls on the tray. When you're ready, gently pull on the string to lift the claw. If everything is working correctly, the items should slide into the collection bin when the tray tips over.

Play around with different angles and distances to see how far and what types of items your claw machine can handle. Remember, this is a simple DIY project, so it might take some tweaks to get it just right.

And there you have it! Your very own paper cup claw machine. Whether you use it to entertain the kids, prove a point about balance and gravity, or just for the joy of creating something new, this project is a fun and engaging way to spend an afternoon. Happy crafting!