How to Make Paper Poppers

Paper poppers are a really fun way to fold paper so that it makes a loud popping sound when slammed downward.

Okay, today’s craft is super easy and fun. I’m going to show you how to make paper poppers!

What’s A Paper Popper?

A paper popper is a folded piece of regular copy paper that you can get to make a really loud popping noise when moved in a quick downward motion with your arm. Once you learn the easy steps to folding a paper popper, you can use it over and over again to make the popping sound. As long as the paper doesn’t rip, it’ll work again and again. I’m going to walk you through every step of how to make a paper popper.

To make a paper popper, all you need is a regular piece of copy paper.

I found a pack of 30 colorful pieces of computer paper at Dollar Tree and it worked perfectly for this.

Instructions

1. Fold an 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper in half lengthwise (hot dog). Open the paper back up so you can see the fold line in teh center.
2. Fold the top edge down to the center folded line you just made.
3. Fold the top edge down again to the center line so that you have a bar across the top.
4. Fold that whole bar over on itself.
5. Fold it over on itself a second time.
6. Fold the paper in half from side to side with the visible part of the bar on the outside.
7. Face the paper with the bar on the left and the open end toward you. Grab the bar at the top folded end and pull up on it while pulling down on the other side. This will make the bottom corners stick out.
8. Line up those two bottom corners and pinch them between your thumb and first finger.

How To Make Paper Poppers Pop

To make your paper popper pop, line up the moving center part and the corner of the bar, like this:

Then keep a firm hold on the two pointy flaps, make sure you’ve got space in front of you, then quickly slam your hand in a downward motion and your paper popper will make a satisfying pop!

If any of these steps were unclear, here’s a video that walks you through each step of folding and popping a paper popper.

Paper Popper Video Instructions

Isn’t that so much fun? Who knew with just a few folds of a paper you could make something that makes such a fun sound?! I’m a big fan of paper poppers. They’re just so fun!