How to Make a Paper Firecracker

Decorating with paper firecrackers is a fun way to decorate for the Fourth of July.

Making firecrackers out of paper is an inexpensive way to decorate for Independence Day, New Year's Eve or any type of holiday you want to celebrate. This decorative craft only takes a few minutes of your time and is something the entire family can do along with you in preparation for a party or celebration. You can use the colorful paper firecrackers as napkin rings on your holiday table or you can set them around as beautiful holiday decor or connect strings of them together to act as a swag or wall decoration. They will also make cute party favors when filled with candy.

Things You'll Need

• Empty toilet paper rolls
• School glue or cellophane tape
• Scissors
• White yarn
• Individually wrapped candy (optional)

Instructions

1. Cut the red construction paper and wrap it around each one of the empty toilet paper rolls. Cutting a 6 inch by 5 inch shape will cover most toilet paper rolls. Tape the construction paper in place or use school glue and allow it to dry. You can slide some paper clips or rubber bands along each edge to hold the paper in place while it dries.

2. Decorate the red firecrackers by using glitter glue to make fanciful designs and allow it to dry. Alternately, you can use dark colored markers to decorate the firecracker. Drawing lightning strikes, stars or fire sparks on the firecrackers will make them seem explosive.

3. Cut the white yarn into 4 or 5-inch pieces and glue it inside one end of the firecracker, leaving most of the white yarn hanging out to act as a fake fuse. Alternately, you can cut a long piece of white yarn, insert it through several firecrackers and glue them into place, leaving a few inches between each one. You can then hang these from trees, chandeliers, or just tape them to the wall for decorations.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a couple of short strips of cellophane tape on the bottom end of the firecrackers. Fill them almost to the top with individually wrapped candy and stand them up on the table; this makes a fun party favor.

• You can make a couple dozen of these colorful firecrackers and and string them together. Make a beautiful swag shape by hanging them onto the wall area above the refreshment table.

References

• Kaboose: Cardboard Tube Red Firecrackers

Resources

• Martha Stewart: Perfectly Patriotic Crafts