Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craft for Kids
Ahoy! Recycle that paper towel tube straight from the bin and turn it into a Pirate Telescope perfect for spotting buried treasure! This paper cup pirate telescope craft is a fantastic imaginative play activity that kids will actually use long after craft time is over.
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Materials for This Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craft
Before you start, gather your supplies. The two main materials — a paper towel tube and a paper cup — are recycled items you likely already have, making this a wonderfully budget-friendly pirate craft for kids.
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
- Recycled cardboard tube (paper towel roll)
- Paper cup – Dollar Store Shop
- Acrylic craft paint – brown Shop
- Glue gun and glue sticks Shop
- Paintbrush Shop
- Scissors Shop
- Natural jute twine – Dollar Store Shop
- Rhinestones, silver – Dollar Store Shop
- Cardstock – white, black Shop
- Black marker – Dollar Store Shop
- Pencil Shop
- Patterns
Once your supplies are gathered, let's build this pirate telescope!
How to Make a Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craft
This paper cup pirate telescope craft comes together with painting, cutting, and gluing. Follow the steps below to create your very own pirate spyglass.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather all the supplies for this pirate telescope craft. Having everything ready before you start makes the building process smooth and easy.
Step 2: Paint the Cup and Tube
Basecoat both the paper cup and the paper towel tube with brown acrylic craft paint. Let dry and apply a second coat if necessary.
Step 3: Prepare the Decorations
Download, print, and cut out the Pirate Telescope Patterns. Trace the stripe pattern three times onto black cardstock and the skull once onto white cardstock. Cut out all pieces with scissors.
Step 4: Add the Black Stripes
Attach the black cardstock stripes to the ends and center of the paper towel tube with a glue gun and glue sticks.
Step 5: Wrap with Twine
Attach sections of natural jute twine between the black stripes along the length of the telescope with a glue gun for a classic pirate look.
Step 6: Decorate the Skull
Using a black marker, draw the outline around the skull and crossbones, then fill in the mouth, nose, and eyes.
Step 7: Attach the Skull to the Cup
Glue the finished skull and crossbones to the outside of the paper cup with a glue gun.
Step 8: Assemble the Telescope
Glue the paper towel tube to the bottom of the paper cup with a glue gun. NOTE: To make the telescope viewable, cut the bottom out of the paper cup before attaching the tube.
Step 9: Add the Final Sparkle
Embellish the telescope with self-adhesive silver rhinestones or beads for an extra pirate flair.
All done!
Your pirate telescope is ready — land ahoy!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craftivity
Want to make this pirate craft even easier? The Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craftivity includes printable patterns and a mini ebook with step-by-step instructions — perfect for pirate-themed birthday parties, homeschool, or summer crafting.
More Pirate Crafts Your Kids Will Love
If your kiddos had fun making this paper cup pirate telescope craft, don't stop the fun here! Below you will find some more of our favorite pirate crafts we have shared on the site.
See all Pirate Activities for Kids →
Please Share This Paper Cup Pirate Telescope Craft
Did your little pirates love making this paper cup telescope craft? We'd love to see your creations! Share on social media and tag us, and pin this project to your pirate crafts board on Pinterest!
