Omar Khalid
Plastic cups are commonly used as containers for beverages. They are also used in a variety of games and creative activities for both children and adults. One of the most popular uses of a plastic cup is in the Cup Song, where the cup is used as percussion to accompany the song's rhythm. The song Cups was popularized by Anna Kendrick in the 2012 movie Pitch Perfect, although the cup percussion was first introduced by Lulu and the Lampshades in their 2009 YouTube video.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the activity | What You Gonna Do Plastic Cup |
| Type of activity | Game |
| Equipment required | Plastic cups, card stock, index cards, balloons, painter's tape, straws, ping pong balls, string, squirt guns, balloons, nerf guns |
| Number of players | Multiple |
| Difficulty level | Medium |
| Age group | Kids |
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What You'll Learn
The Cup Song
To play the Cup Song, you will need a plastic cup, ideally a red solo cup, and a table or other hard surface. The cup should be placed upside down on the table, with some space on either side.
- Clap your hands twice, directly above the cup.
- Hit the bottom of the cup three times, alternating hands (right, left, right).
- Clap your hands once.
- Pick up the cup and set it down.
- Clap your hands once.
- Turn your left hand over and hit the top of the cup with your right hand.
- Hit the bottom edge of the cup onto the table.
- Switch the cup to your right hand and tap the table with your left hand.
- Place the cup down with your right hand.
- Repeat these steps until the song is over, increasing your speed as you become more comfortable with the movements.
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Pitch Perfect
"Cups", popularly known as "the cup song", is an old folk song that rose to prominence following its debut in the 2012 movie Pitch Perfect. In the film, Anna Kendrick's character, Beca Mitchell, performs the song during her audition for the college a cappella singing group, the Barden Bellas. The song was later released as "Cups (Pitch Perfect's 'When I'm Gone')"" and became a top-10 hit for Kendrick.
The cup song is based on "The Cup Game", a children's clapping game. In the film, Kendrick uses a plastic cup to tap out the rhythm of the song, creating a catchy and unique performance. The cup song movement became so popular that it inspired many copycats and even made it onto the 2010s best songs from movies lists.
To perform the cup song, you'll need a plastic cup and a bit of practice. Here are the steps to follow:
- Set the cup on a table, rim down, and give yourself some space on either side.
- Clap your hands together directly above the cup two times.
- Tap the top of the cup three times, alternating hands (right, left, right or left, right, left).
- Pick up the cup with your right hand and move it to the right, then set it down again, making an audible noise.
- Clap once above the cup.
- Twist the cup and tap the open end onto the palm of your free hand.
- Move the cup diagonally so that the corner of the cup's bottom is on the table.
- Swap the cup to your other hand.
- Slap your free hand onto the table.
- Flip the cup onto the table.
Practice each step slowly and increase your speed as you get more comfortable. Performing the cup song with friends can make it a fun social activity and help keep you motivated.
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Plastic cup games for kids
Plastic cups are incredibly versatile and can be used in a multitude of games for kids. The games can be played both indoors and outdoors and can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. Here are some fun plastic cup games for kids:
Cup Stacking
This is a simple game where kids compete to see who can stack the cups the fastest or the tallest. It can be played individually or in pairs. For younger kids, you can use mini plastic cups that are easier for small hands to manage. You can also vary the game by asking kids to stack the cups into pyramids or walls of different shapes and sizes.
Cup Bowling
Set up a mini bowling alley by using overturned plastic cups as pins. You can use the traditional triangle setup or create a stacked pyramid. Kids can then take turns rolling a tennis ball or another small ball to knock the cups down. You can even create a tournament and assign points based on the number of cups knocked down.
Cup Targets
Plastic cups make excellent targets for Nerf darts, marshmallows, pom-poms, or other kid-safe projectiles. You can hang the cups from a PVC frame and assign point values to each cup, creating a fun target practice game. Alternatively, you can place the cups on a table and have kids take turns trying to toss or bounce ping pong balls into the cups.
Cup Flipping
Scatter cups around a playing area, with half facing up and half facing down. Divide the kids into two teams - the "Up" team and the "Down" team. At the signal, the teams race to flip the cups over to their designated direction. When you call "Stop," the team with the most cups pointing their way wins.
Cup Launcher
Cut the bottom off a plastic cup and replace it with a balloon. Tie the balloon closed, then snip off a small portion from the end. Stretch the balloon over one open end of the cup. Place a small object, like a pom-pom or a mini marshmallow, inside the cup, and then release the balloon to launch the object into the air.
The Cup Song
Teach kids the famous "Cups" or "You're Gonna Miss Me" song, which involves clapping, tapping, and hitting a plastic cup in time to the music. This game helps with coordination and rhythm, and kids will enjoy the challenge of learning the routine.
These games are a great way to keep kids entertained and engaged, all while fostering creativity, coordination, and friendly competition.
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Plastic cup games for parties
Plastic cups can be used in a variety of games for parties, ranging from simple to more complex setups. Here are some ideas:
Cup Stacking
One of the simplest games is cup stacking, where players race to stack a set number of cups into a pyramid or a wall. This can be made more challenging by limiting players to using only one hand, or by requiring them to use a specific sequence of cup colours. For example, if using red cups, include one gold cup, and the player must work through the cups until the gold cup is at the bottom again. Cup stacking helps kids practice math if they count their stacks or create patterns with different-coloured cups.
Bowling
Plastic cups can be used as bowling pins. Set up a mini bowling alley by using overturned plastic cups as pins. Use the traditional triangle setup or create a stacked pyramid. Then, roll a tennis ball to knock them down.
Target Practice
Plastic cups can be used for target practice games. Set out cups on a table and try to toss a ping pong ball, yarn pom-pom, or wad of paper into the cups. This can be made more challenging by dangling the cups from a PVC pipe setup, making hitting them trickier.
Launchers
Create launchers using cups and balloons. Cut the bottom off a plastic cup and replace it with a balloon. To launch, place a pom-pom inside the cup and pull back on the knot before releasing it. See how far the pom-pom flies!
Drinking Games
For parties with adult guests, plastic cups can be used for drinking games. Set up a circle of cups, one fewer than the number of players. Play music and have everyone walk around the circle. When the music stops, each player must find a cup to drink from. The player left without a cup is out, and one cup is removed for the next round. Alternatively, players can throw a ping pong ball into cups, and when successful, the opponent must drink the contents of that cup.
The Cup Song
The Cup Song is a well-known game that uses a plastic cup as percussion. The song typically used is "You're Gonna Miss Me" by Lulu and the Lampshades, which incorporates lyrics from the 1931 song "When I'm Gone" by the Carter Family. The cup is tapped and hit on different surfaces in a specific sequence along with the song's rhythm.
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Plastic cup recycling
Plastic cups are often made from polystyrene, or plastic #6, which is not recycled by most cities. However, there are still ways to recycle plastic cups and ensure they don't end up in landfills or the ocean.
One option is to check with your local recycling program or drop-off location to see if they accept plastic cups. Most paper, plastic, and metal cups can be recycled through these programs, as long as they are empty and rinsed out, with straws removed. Lids on plastic cups can usually be left on, while lids on paper cups should be thrown away.
Another option is to look for specialized recycling programs that focus on plastic cups. For example, TerraCycle offers a Zero Waste Box program that accepts any brand and size of #6 plastic cups for recycling. They provide a box that can be filled with plastic cups and then shipped back to them for recycling. TerraCycle then recycles the waste into raw material, which is sold to manufacturing companies to produce new products.
By taking the time to properly dispose of and recycle plastic cups, individuals can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the environment. This is important because plastic waste can have significant negative impacts on wildlife, ecosystems, and even human health.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cup Song, also known as "Cups" or "You're Gonna Miss Me", is a song that went viral on YouTube in 2009. It was performed by Lulu and the Lampshades and features a cup-clapping percussion technique. The song incorporates lyrics from the 1931 song "When I'm Gone" by the Carter Family.
There are many games you can play with plastic cups. One example is a racing game where players have a pile of cups and race to move their cups from the bottom to the top by taking the top cup and moving it to the bottom. Another game involves using a straw to see how far you can move a cup with one blow.
While plastic cups are commonly used for the cup song and various cup games, other types of cups can also be used. For example, paper or cardboard cups could be used as an alternative to plastic.
