Pull String Party Cracker

If you have some Christmas cards or card stock paper, you can make pull string party crackers. The little ones LOVE the surprise!

How to Make a Pull String Mini Piñata

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I am working on a TON of ways to upcycle or recycle after the holiday season. I don’t want to be done with all of the pretty bows, ribbons, and cards.

This takes about 5-10 minutes after you make your first one. We’ve made circles (the easiest), diamonds, stars, and even a number for my daughter’s age.

RELATED READING: How to Make an Origami Heart Bouquet

Instructions

If you’re using a star or other shape other than BASIC (see below), roughly measure the length of each section of your shape. See in the image below where we’ve cut and glued each section of the star on either side of the point? Like that.

Cut each section to fit and then fold down the long edges of your card stock.You will line up the edge of the folded edge with the edge of the shape. Tape or glue the piece to the inside of the shape.

If you’re using a circle shape, lucky you. Just cut out a strip of card stock a 1/2 inch wider than you want your cracker and about 2-2.5 inches less than the circumference of the circle (diameter x π).

Cut it into manageable strips (mine were about 1.25 inches each). Fold down each of the long edges of your strip by 1/4 of an inch and begin taping one of the folds to the inside of the shape, lining the next piece up with the previous.

For all shapes, poke a couple of holes at the top and thread a piece of string through them. I’d recommend doing it before taping the pieces together in the next step.

Keep attaching the pieces on one shape, taping them to the piece before it (securing the ends to one another), and stop when you have a 2 to 2.5 inch opening. This opening is where the candy or toys will fall through, so just match your opening size to whatever you’re sticking in there.

Cut a piece of tissue paper to about the size of the opening with a half inch added on all sides. You’re going to thread a piece of jute or string through a small hole you cut in the tissue paper.

Once the jute is threaded through the tissue paper, you will thread it through a small, rectangular piece of card stock. Then, tie a knot on the top of the card stock. The card stock will help to rip through the tissue paper, so don’t skip this step. Add the candy, toys, or confetti.

Secure the top shape to the tissue with a few strategically placed pieces of tape. Fold the top shape down onto the 3D shape and tape the top shape to the card stock pieces.

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• Cute Narwhal Popsicle Stick Craft – Have sticks and some paint? Make this absolutely adorable sea creature.