Pull String Party Cracker

Pull String Party Cracker

This is a quick and dirty kind of project ya’ll – isn’t that the best? It’s like chocolate in that it provides instant gratification. Instant crafti-fication. Take 5 minutes and whip up a few of these for New Year’s.

As I mentioned, I was inspired by Room to Grow TV’s Pull-String Piñata. I didn’t want to risk the paper mâchĂ© not firming up, so I came up with a quick version we could use immediately. Elisa’s design is amazing – it’s a fun project we will be making when we have more time.

If you have just 5 minutes, you can make these. In fact, I made some more while I was writing up this article just to see how long it would take without standing behind my new, smarter than me camera. The result? Five minutes for a circle, 8 for a star. And that included hunting down additional scrap tissue paper because the little one absconded with it. Again.

[Tweet “Have 5 minutes? Make this fillable, pull-string party cracker!”]

Supplies

  • 2 of an identical-ish shapes, made from card stock or heavier. I used holographic star shapes we picked up in the Teacher’s section of the Dollar Store and I also used a dog treat box where I traced two 4 inch circles.
  • Christmas cards or card stock for the sides.
  • tissue paper
  • jute or string for the pull tab and hanging
  • scissors and tape
  • candy or small toys, confetti (or any other type of glittery goodness). Go on, add the sparkle.

New Years Eve for Kids

Instructions

If you’re using a star or other shape, roughly measure the length of each section of your shape. Roughly measure – remember, these guys are single use, so a Pinterest-worthy effort is a waste of time. 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 the piece to the inside of the shape.

New Years Eve Party for Kids

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 shy of the circumference of the circle (diameter x Ď€). 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.

On either shape, be sure to poke a couple 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.

Make a candy filled party cracker

Keep attaching the pieces on one shape, and 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 is the where the candy or toys will fall through, so just match your opening size to whatever you’re sticking in there. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Toy Candy Filled Party Popper from Ruffles and Rain Boots

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 your candy, toys, or confetti.

Mini Pinata for Kids from Ruffles and Rain Boots

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.

Yield: 1 pull string party cracker

Pull String Party Cracker

Quick Tutorial for a Surprise Party Popper

You'll love the ease of this pull string party cracker!

Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • 2 of an identical-ish shapes, made from card stock or heavier. I used holographic star shapes we picked up in the Teacher’s section of the Dollar Store and I also used a dog treat box where I traced two 4 inch circles.
  • Christmas cards or card stock for the sides.
  • tissue paper
  • jute or string for the pull tab and hanging
  • candy or small toys, confetti (or any other type of glittery goodness). Go on, add the sparkle.

Tools

  • scissors and tape

Instructions

  1. If you’re using a star or other shape, roughly measure the length of each section of your shape. Roughly measure – remember, these guys are single use, so a Pinterest-worthy effort is a waste of time. 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 the piece to the inside of the shape.
  2. 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 shy of 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.
  3. On either shape, be sure to poke a couple 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.
  4. Keep attaching the pieces on one shape, and 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 is the where the candy or toys will fall through, so just match your opening size to whatever you’re sticking in there. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
  5. 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 your candy, toys, or confetti.
  6. 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.

Notes

For more fun party ideas, visit Ruffles and Rain Boots.

Did you make this?

Please leave a comment or share a photo and tag me @rufflesandrain

5 Minutes Pull String Filled Party Cracker for Kids from Ruffles and Rain Boots

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you and your family have a safe, prosperous, and joy-filled 2015! If you think this quick craft is worthy, could you please share it to Pinterest? If you don’t like Pinterest (oh, the horror!), I am grateful when my projects are shared on Facebook, too. Many thanks and the best to you in 2015.

If you’re looking for other party crafts, check out party page. Or take a look at these crafts great for a kid’s New Year’s celebration:

Shooting Star Bean Bag Toss from Ruffles and Rain Boots Tissue Paper Fringe Garland by Ruffles and Rain Boots

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5 Comments

  1. OK Sarah I had to come looking for these after you left that sweet note on my post . . . and they’re awesome! SO SO FUN! I’m pinning them and maybe if I ever decide to really celebrate New Year’s Eve I will make them. You rock, lady!

  2. Oh these look so fun! And love the ‘happiness comes out of here’ label.
    Keeping these in mind for any birthday parties this year