How to Make Confetti Poppers

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: July 1, 2021

Confetti poppers are an exciting addition to surprises and special occasions. They are an colorful, exuberant way of celebrating a countdown, like on New Year's, or the fulfillment of an important ceremony, like after weddings or a graduation. You can make a homemade confetti poppers with a balloon launcher, a confetti pusher, or even a push pop container.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Balloon Popper

1
Cover the toilet paper roll with paper. Cut a strip of your decorative paper long enough to cover the outside of roll. Use a stapler to fasten the paper to the roll at the ends so it doesn't come unrolled.
2
Cut free any excess paper. If you have some extra paper hanging off one end of your roll, use your scissors to cut it. Then fold the paper inside the tube and use tape to fasten it there. You can also fasten paper tucked inside the tube with staples.^{[1]
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3
Cut your balloon. Cut your uninflated balloon at the end opposite the mouth of the balloon. Your cut line will be roughly where the balloon ceases widening, toward the middle of the ball part of the balloon. Cut from side-to-side completely to remove the end of the balloon.^{[2]
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4
Attach the balloon. Take the cut end of your balloon and open it with your fingers. Stretch it around one end of your toilet paper roll. Pull the balloon so it extends about an inch (2.54 cm) onto the roll. Then use a piece of tape to firmly attach the balloon to the roll.
- After the balloon is well attached, tie a simple knot in the neck of the balloon. Make sure the balloon is tautly attached to the end of the toilet paper roll.^{[3]
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5
Load your confetti popper and enjoy. Insert your confetti into the open end of your confetti popper. Pull down on the knotted neck of the balloon to create tension, then release the balloon to launch confetti from it.
- Traditional confetti may be too light for this kind of popper. If this is the case for you, try using sequins instead.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Producing a Push Action Popper

1
Cut a straight line from end to end on a toilet paper roll. Use scissors to cut a straight line from end to end on one of your toilet paper rolls. Then use hot glue to attach a sturdy paper straw or wooden dowel to the center of your bottle cap. Allow the glue to dry.
2
Check the size of the confetti pusher and assemble it. Open your slit toilet paper roll and position the lid so it is ¾ of the way to one end of the roll, with the straw/dowel exiting the other end of the roll. Then:
- Try to insert this roll, along with the cap and straw, into the uncut roll. It should be snug, but you should still be able to push the cut roll inside the uncut one.
- Use your hot glue to attach the bottle cap and attached straw inside the cut roll. Position the bottle cap so it is ¾ of the way to one end of the roll. The straw should exit the opposite end.^{[5]
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3
Decorate your uncut roll. Cover the outside of your uncut roll with decorative paper to cover the plain cardboard. Attach the paper with either a glue stick or tape. Once the glue is dry, use your glue stick or tape to attach a taut layer of tissue paper at one end of the roll.^{[6]
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4
Load your confetti into the uncut roll. Hold your uncut roll so the tissue paper covered end is upside down. Add confetti to this roll, then gently insert the confetti pusher into the open end of the uncut roll until it is ¼ to ½ of the way inside.
- You may need to wiggle the pusher back and forth to position it properly inside the uncut roll. Be careful not to use too much force, as it could break your tissue paper seal and release the confetti.^{[7]
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5
Launch your confetti. When the moment comes for you to launch the confetti, in a rapid motion, pull back on the straw/dowel of the confetti pusher slightly, then push it forward firmly. This should cause the tissue paper to break and confetti to fly out of the popper.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using a Push Pop for a Confetti Popper

1
Remove the lid of your push pop container. These containers can be found at most craft stores, but can also be purchased online. After you remove the lid from your push pop container, slide the bottom all the way down so the body of the container is hollow.
- After you have removed the lid, this can be thrown away. This kind of confetti popper can easily be reused, but it won't need a top.^{[9]
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2
Stuff your push pop with confetti. You can use traditional confetti, but this popper works well with tinsel, too. You may want to use your scissors to trim tinsel into smaller pieces. This way, it'll float in the air more easily.
- Add your confetti or tinsel (or both) to the hollow part of the push pop container until it is completely full.^{[10]
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3
Cover the opening of the push pop with tissue paper. Cut a small square of tissue paper that is large enough to cover the opening of the push pop container. Use tape to fasten the tissue paper firmly over the open end.^{[11]
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4
Decorate your popper. This can be done easily by wrapping the outside of the popper with decorative paper and taping or gluing this in place. However, you could also paint the outside of the popper, draw designs on it, or personalize it however you wish.^{[12]
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5
Fire your confetti hand cannon. When you're ready to launch your confetti mixture into the air, push the stick end of the push pop container upward in a quick, firm motion. This should cause the tissue paper to pop, and the confetti to explode outwards.^{[13]
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Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

How long does the straw need to be?

Community Answer

The straw just needs to be the average length of a drinking straw.
Question

Where do I get confetti?

Tom De Backer

Top Answerer

You can order confetti online, or buy it at toy stores, party stores, etc. It shouldn't be hard to find.
Question

Can I use candy instead of confetti?

CrystalPuppy

Community Answer

If it is something small like Skittles or M&Ms, certainly! Just be warned that it won't pop as well as confetti. If you don't have confetti, then you can cut strips of paper and fold them instead to make DIY confetti for your popper.

Warnings

Always use care when working with a hot glue gun. It can get very hot, and could cause burns if used improperly.

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