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preschoolers outdoors playing with handmade binoculars from paper cups craft is an Explorer's Kit for Talk Like A Pirate Day!

Make an Explorer’s Kit from Paper Coffee Cups

By Rachel Meeks

Every explorer needs a set of binoculars and a compass.

painted paper coffee cups with hand-drawn compass on plastic lid

Just a few hours before the jungle adventure, this was two coffee cups in the cup holder on the morning commute.

coffee cups in car drink holders

A parent needs to cut out the bottom of the cups with an exacto knife.

cutting out bottom of paper coffee cup with xacto knife

Then it’s time to paint the cups. When painting a craft project black, I find it’s easiest to use a sample pot of black latex interior wall paint. It goes on in one coat for a thick, glossy finish.

When the paint is dry, fasten the cups together with a stapler or tape.

painting paper coffee cup with black paint

Use a permanent marker to draw a compass on the coffee cup lid!

compass drawn on coffee cup lid and little girl with pigtails holding it outside on lawn

What will you spy, brave adventurer?

explorer kit made from paper coffee cups with toddler boy holding play binoculars made from paper cups to eyes

Find More Crafts for Talk Like a Pirate Day:

International Talk Like a Pirate Day is a parodic holiday created in 1995 and began as an inside joke amongst two friends.

About the Author

Rachel Meeks

Rachel Meeks is the voice behind the popular blog Small Notebook, a resource for simplifying and organizing your home. (Because it’s so much easier to be a parent when you’re not surrou...

Rachel Meeks is the voice behind the popular blog Small Notebook, a resource for simplifying and organizing your home. (Because it’s so much easier to be a parent when you’re not surrounded by a ton of stuff.)

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