Maker Monday: Kids can make easy, fun confetti poppers

Happy Monday, Kidsburgh readers! In the mood to celebrate? Here’s a super-fun installment of our Maker Monday “Let’s Try” video series, created by our friends at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh.

In this free maker activity, kids and grownups will learn to make confetti poppers — a great way to bring some joy to any occasion. You’ll find all the info on materials and instructions right here, and you can follow along on the video below to learn each easy step.

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on every project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

• balloons
• empty cardboard toilet paper rolls
• tape
• colorful paper
• scissors
• glue (optional)
• hole punch (optional)

Instructions:

• Tie a knot at the bottom of a balloon.
• Use the scissors to cut an inch off the top of your tied balloon, and save the little piece of balloon for later.
• Stretch the tied part of the balloon over one of the ends of the toilet paper roll.
• Tape the balloon tightly around the toilet paper roll.
• Decorate your popper by wrapping it in colorful paper and securing the paper with tape or glue.
• Use your scissors (or a hole punch) to create the confetti with more pieces of colorful paper.
• Add a few pinches of confetti to your popper, but don’t overfill it.
• Stretch the top of the balloon (that piece you saved earlier) over the top of your popper to make a cup. (Quick tip: if the balloon piece is too loose, use a rubber band to secure it.)
• When you’re ready to use your popper, take off the cap. Then pull on the tied bottom of the balloon, and let it go to release the confetti!

Want more at-home fun making beautiful things and doing STEM projects? Check out more Maker Monday projects right here.

Do you have an idea for a Maker Monday craft project? If so, please share it with Kidsburgh! Send your maker activities to info@kidsburgh.org.