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If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to serve snacks on game day, try these DIY paper plate snack cups that can be customized in your team’s colors.
DIY Paper Plate Snack Cups
For Game Day!
Football season is nearly here and the big game is coming up fast. Football is a big part of my family’s routine—I’ve been a fan since I started watching with my dad back in 1986. Weekends mean snacks, the TV tuned to multiple games, and a little friendly team rivalry.
My dad always had his drink on one side and snacks on the other. His favorites were BBQ chips and pretzels, and I definitely share his love for BBQ chips—especially Kettle Brand® Potato Chips for their satisfying crunch. I also prefer Snack Factory® Pretzel Crisps® because they’re crunchier and less dry than traditional pretzels.
Sundays in our house are dedicated to watching games. To keep the whole family involved, my husband and I invite the girls to help with food prep or simple crafts. These DIY paper plate snack cups are an easy project that kids enjoy helping with—and they make snack time feel special.
I wanted a way to serve chips and pretzels other than plain paper bowls (I actually forgot bowls at the store, so we got creative). I’ve made these cups before, but my daughter suggested decorating them with duct tape in our team’s colors. She’s obsessed with duct tape, and the results were perfect.
How to Make DIY Paper Plate Snack Cups
Materials Needed
- A box (we used one about 3.5″ H x 8.5″ W x 11″ L) — this becomes a handy holder for the cups
- Paper plates (uncoated)
- Duct tape in your chosen colors
- Scissors
- Marker
Instructions
Prepare the box: inside the box, remove the small bottom flaps while leaving the base intact. Fold the top flaps down and secure them with tape, then flip the box so you’re working with the bottom. Mark where you want each cup to sit and cut an “X” at each spot. Widen each hole with your finger so cups will fit snugly. Cover the box with duct tape in your chosen color and re-open the holes if the tape covered them.
To assemble the cups:
Place a paper plate upright in front of you. Fold one side toward the center and press lightly to create a crease. Fold the other side over to meet it, forming a cone shape, and secure the seam with a small piece of duct tape.
Decorate the cups with colorful duct tape—add stripes, chevrons, or other patterns. We used a marker to draw little X’s and O’s to mimic football plays. Be creative with patterns that match your team’s colors.
When the decorations are finished, press the cup back into a cone shape and place each cup into the box holder. Fill the cups with your favorite snacks—chips, pretzels, nuts, or candy—so guests can grab a single-serving portion easily.
A simple dollar-store black foam board and some white chalk can be used to create a quick game day backdrop or little signs for your snack table.
Most of these supplies are available at dollar stores or big-box retailers. Snacks like my favorite chips and pretzel crisps are found in the snack aisle—shelves may look different depending on store layout, but the items are usually nearby.
Follow the hashtag #TheNewFanFavorites on social media for more game day ideas and recipes!
