Are you ready to add some sparkle to your New Year’s Eve celebration? I’ve got just the thing – a super fun, kid-friendly DIY confetti popper that’s a blast to make and even more exciting to pop when the clock strikes twelve!
So, gather ’round the kitchen table and let’s get our craft on!
This craft is not only a hit for the New Year’s Eve celebration but also a great way for kids to learn about recycling and reusing materials.
It’s a quick and easy activity that can be prepped in advance, so you’re not rushing through it while trying to get everyone dressed in their party best.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to keep the little ones busy during the day. They can express their creativity, practice their fine motor skills with cutting and pasting, and learn a bit about building something functional from just a few simple materials.
And let’s not forget the photo ops! Nothing says “Happy New Year” like a candid shot of the family covered in confetti, with huge smiles and homemade poppers in hand.
Remember, the goal here is not perfection; it’s about the fun and memories you make together.
If the paper is a bit crooked or the balloon isn’t tied perfectly, it’s okay. It adds character to your creation and tells the story of a fantastic craft made with love and giggles.
Be sure to make a few extras for any friends or family joining your celebration. They’ll be touched by the personal, handmade touch to the evening’s festivities.
So, let’s ring in the New Year with a bang, a pop, and a sparkle! And, of course, with the ones we love, surrounded by laughter, creativity, and a little bit of confetti mess (which, by the way, is totally worth it).
Supplies
This craft is put together with just a few basic supplies you may already have around the house.
So why not go on a little scavenger hunt around the house for our crafty supplies. Scrounge up those leftover holiday wrapping bits, raid the recycling bin for toilet paper rolls, and snag those balloons from the junk drawer.
If you want to buy some glitter papers and confetti specially for the craft, then check out some of the options at Amazon (affiliate links included below)
If you end up with left over glitter sprinkles or confetti, you can use some to make this New Year’s Eve slime, too!
We love these metallic holographic card sheets, for a futuristic New Year’s aesthetic, or you can also go for glitter cardstock available in a whole rainbow of colors.
We also love this New Year confetti if you want to get something specially. Otherwise snipping left over wrapping paper into teeny tiny little pieces also works great!
Or, use left over colored tissue paper and a hole punch to make perfect circles.
Step by Step How to Make your DIY Confetti Popper
We’re about to turn these everyday items into the life of the party. I’ll walk you through each step, from balloon snipping to confetti stuffing.
This DIY party cannon craft is as easy as pie, and way more sparkly. Let’s create something that’ll make the final countdown feel like the most exciting moment of the year for the kids.
Follow below for the super easy step by step. Each one is quick to make in under 10 minutes, so you could very easily make a whole batch for the family without putting in too much time.
DIY Confetti Popper Craft for Celebrations
Get ready to create some noise and fun with our DIY New Year's Eve Confetti Poppers! These easy-to-make poppers are the perfect project for little hands and big hearts.
They're not just a craft, they're a countdown celebration in a tube!
Made with recycled materials and a burst of creativity, these poppers will make the final seconds of the year absolutely unforgettable.
Materials
- Toilet paper rolls (Let’s recycle those tubes!)
- Balloons
- Scissors
- Glittery construction paper or any sparkly paper (Because New Year’s Eve deserves all the glitter!)
- Tape and / or glue
- Confetti (The star of the show - You can use store-bought or make your own homemade from leftover wrapping paper)
Tools
- Scissors (Safety first - make sure the little ones have some help with these!)
Instructions
- Take a toilet paper roll and keep it aside. This is going to be the body of our confetti cannon!
- Grab a balloon and cut off the top, keeping just the part you blow into.
- Now, stretch the cut balloon over one end of the toilet paper roll. Secure it carefully with a piece of tape. This is going to make our popper... well, pop!
- Now let’s dress it up and make it snazzy! Take your glittery paper and cut a piece big enough to wrap around the toilet paper roll. Attach it with tape or glue. Let the kids choose their paper - the more glitter, the better!
- Fill it Up: Time for the confetti! Using the open end of the toilet paper roll, fill the tube with confetti. Not too much, though - you want to make sure it can still pop!
- Optional - Decorate: Add ribbons, stickers, or even write 2024 on your popper. Make it as unique as the upcoming year!
- Countdown to Fun: Now the best part. When midnight is just a moment away, hold your confetti popper with the balloon end down, pull the stretched balloon neck back, and let go!
- Watch as confetti bursts out and showers everyone with a bit of colorful fun!
Let the kids customise as much as they like, and make each one unique with different color wrappings, and even different colors of confetti if they like.
The Fun Science Behind the Pop
Now, let’s talk about what makes these poppers pop! It’s all thanks to a little thing called air pressure.
When you pull back the balloon and let go, it snaps back to its original shape super fast. This quick snap forces the air out at lightning speed, and whoosh! The confetti flies out with it, creating that awesome pop we love.
This is a cool way to show kids a basic physics concept without turning it into a lecture. You can tell them it’s like when they jump on a trampoline – the harder they jump down, the higher they fly up! Similarly, when they pull the balloon back and release, the force sends all the confetti flying up into the air.
It’s a simple bit of science that brings a whole lot of joy. Plus, it’s a blast to see who can make their confetti fly the highest.
When we’re talking about our homemade confetti poppers, we’re seeing Sir Isaac Newton’s third law of motion in action: for every action, there’s an equal and opposite reaction.
So, not only are you having fun counting down to the new year, but you’re also sneaking in a mini-science lesson. Win-win!
More for New Year
Get ready to ring in the new year with these fun and easy New Year’s Eve activities for kids.
- 3 Printable New Year Games for Kids
- Happy New Year Free Printable Coloring Pages and Cards for Kids
- New Year’s Eve Fireworks Craft
- Free Printable Kids Calendar 2024 (12 pages, one per month)
- Free Printable 2024 Calendar Template for Kids to Design (whole year one page)
- How to Make Your Own Vision Board For Kids (with printable template)
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.