Build a Paper Foosball Table

Get ready to have some soccer (football) fun with STEAM! Grab some paper and straws to make this cool paper foosball game. It’s a fun and mini version of people’s favorite soccer and football game. It’s a perfect game to build during the World Cup or any day of the year.

Grab some paper and straws to make a cool paper foosball game. It's a fun, mini version of people's favorite soccer and football game.

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Fun Facts About Football, Soccer, and Foosball

Football or soccer, whatever you call it, is the world’s most popular sport. Here are some fun facts about the game:

soccer ball in goal net with dandelion fluff and green grass background

The World’s Favorite Sport: It’s estimated that there are at least 240 million registered soccer players in the world. 3.5 billion people watch it every year. You’ve probably kicked a soccer ball a few times, too.
World Cup Tournament: Every four years, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) holds the World Cup tournament. 32 teams from around the world compete for the world title. There are both men’s and women’s tournaments. It’s estimated that more than 3 billion! people watched the 2018 men’s World Cup tournaments on TV and the internet and even more are expected to watch in 2022.
Soccer Shapes: Ever wonder why soccer balls have all those pentagons and hexagons? It’s because piecing together both shapes can create the best sphere. And the rounder the ball, the easier it is to kick and control. The shape of a soccer ball is called a truncated icosahedron.
Soccer Skills: How do soccer players manage to get the ball into the goal past the defenders? They use a combination of speed, timing, and an impressive curveball. When they kick the ball off-center, it causes the ball to spin which causes airflow that pushes against the ball and changes its path. This cool trick is called the Magnus Effect.

What is Foosball?

Foosball, also known as table football and table soccer is a table game that mimics soccer. Players try to get the ball into the opponents goal by turning the rods which then turn the attached player figures that “kick” the ball into the goal. In today’s project, you’ll build a mini paper version of the game.

foosball table with yellow and white jersey players

Paper Foosball Supplies Needed

The best part of this project other than having fun building and playing with it is that the supplies are cheap! This is a totally budget-friendly project that’s perfect for a group. We’ve even pulled together a simple template for the game. Print it on white cardstock for a sturdier game or you can use copyweight paper for a cheaper build.

Simply fill out the form below to have the template and printable instructions emailed to you.

Here are the simple supplies you’ll need to build the paper foosball game.

Paper foosball template
Paper or cardstock (cardstock makes a sturdier toy)
Ruler
Scissors
Clear tape
Hole punch
4 paper straws (2 each in 2 different colors)
Markers (optional)

paper foosball supplies (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template on green paper background)

Cut Out the Paper Foosball Table Template

Print the paper foosball template on paper or cardstock.
Cut out the template along all of the solid black lines. Do not cut along the dotted lines.
Separate the pieces into piles of players and handle stops. If desired, use markers to color both sides of half of the paper “players” for each team to match the paper straws. Set the pieces aside.
Using a hole punch, punch holes for each of the 8 circles on the sides of the template.
Crumple up the paper square that is labeled “ball”. Set aside the “foosball” until ready to play.

cut and punch holes in paper foosball template (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say handle stop and player on green paper background)

Sports STEAM Activities for Kids - Get out there and play with STEAM! with STEAM Explorers Sports ipad on yellow background

Assemble the Paper Foosball Table

Fold the sides of the paper table along the dotted lines upwards at a right angle. Placing a ruler along the fold line can help give you a straight edge. Tape the corners to secure

Fold up sides of paper foosball template (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say handle stop and player on green paper background)

Tape sides of paper foosball template (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say handle stop and player on green paper background)

Insert straws through the punched holes across the table. Pick one color straw and insert it in the holes closest to one goal, then alternate with the other color straw.

Insert straws through holes in sides of paper foosball template (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say handle stop and player on green paper background)

Place the table so that one goal faces you. Fold a “handle stop” piece of paper over the left end of the first straw closest to the goal. Tape the paper to itself so it doesn’t unfold then tape it to the straw to secure. This ensures that the straw doesn’t go all the way through the holes while playing. Repeat with the next straw away from the goal, but tape to the right end of the straw. Repeat for the remaining two straws.

Fold handle stop paper on end of straw (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say handle stop on green paper background)

Pull the straws so that they are centered across the foosball field. Fold a “player” piece of paper over the center of the first straw closest to the goal so that the bottom of the paper just barely brushes the foosball table surface. Tape the paper to itself so it doesn’t unfold then tape it to the straw to secure it. Repeat for the straw closest to the opposite goal. These are your goalies.
Again pull the straws so that they are centered across the foosball field. For the second straw from the goal, tape two “player” pieces of paper to make two offensive players. They should be evenly spread across the width of the table. Repeat for the opposite side.

Fold player papers around center of straws (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say player on green paper background)

How to Play Paper Foosball

To play, drop the crumpled paper ball in the center of the table and try to shoot it into your opponent’s goal. Rotate the straws to make the player flappers hit the paper ball. The first to 5 points wins.

Finished paper foosball table with ball on field (green hole punch, red and blue striped paper straws, orange-handled scissors, yellow tape dispenser, black and wood ruler, white paper template, crumpled paper ball, small pieces of paper that say player on green paper background)

More Paper Fun for Kids

Cut and fold paper into a fun transforming card with this Neverending Emoji Card.

Two Neverending emoji card with glue stick on yellow background Text: never-ending Emoji Card and Left Brain Craft Brain

Wow the crowd with a flute made of just paper and tape!

Paper flute, printed music, clear tape, orange-handled scissors on red background. Text: How to make a Paper Flute and Left Brain Craft Brain

More Sports STEAM Fun for Kids

This paper foosball game is a sneak peek into something sports lovers will love…

From football to tennis to spinning ice skaters to what makes athletes tough, there's lots to explore with the STEAM Explorers Sports activity plan! Join us as we get inspired by your favorite sports and the athletes that play them! The kids will love crafting a foosball table out of paper, practicing math skills by playing football, building, and art-ing up mini skateboards, testing their lung capacity, and so much more! You'll love the helpful standards-based learning, printables, and tools that make STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, & math) exploration easy!