Five Minute Fun: Jumping Cups

Do you ever have one of those days?  I mean those days when the children are underfoot and on your nerves?  When they can't seem to leave each other alone?  When it seems like they pick a fight just to have something to do?

Every mama needs a repertoire of quick and easy boredom busters for days like that. 

Enter the humble jumping cup.  It's so simple and easy to make, using items you probably already have around the house, and it's guaranteed to entertain...or at least break the boredom cycle.

(There's a video here...if you read my blog via email, you will need to actually visit my blog to view the video)

All you need to make one are two cups (I used plastic disposables), two rubber bands, and some tape.  You can find instructions and pictures here.

  

First, make four small slits in one cup, equally spaced around the rim.  Use a little bit of tape on the inside and outside of the cup to keep each slit from splitting further.

Cut the rubber bands, and put a knot in each end of each rubber band.  Place them in the slits, making an X in the cup, and ensuring that the rubber bands are just taut.

Like this
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Use more tape to secure the rubber bands, if desired.

Now you can add some decorations to the side of your cup if you wish.  You could have your child draw a picture of a rocket or frog or other flying/jumping thing.  In our house, we made this during an emergency situation, so no pictures for us.

To launch, place your modified cup down over the other cup and let go quickly.  We found that it worked best to press down on the bottom of the cup with our palms, and then when the cup was all the way down, hold on to just the rim with our fingers before letting go.  Have fun!