DIY Midnight Kisses New Year’s Eve Party Poppers: A Sweet Craft for Kids

As the holiday season draws to a close, parents often find themselves searching for engaging activities to keep their children entertained during winter break. While the excitement of Christmas has passed, the anticipation of New Year’s Eve brings a fresh opportunity for family fun and creativity. What better way to welcome the new year than with a delightful craft that combines hands-on fun, a touch of magic, and a sweet treat? This year, ditch the store-bought party favors and create your own enchanting Midnight Kisses New Year’s Eve Party Poppers!

This charming craft is not only incredibly simple to make but also provides a fantastic creative outlet for kids of all ages. Using everyday household items like toilet paper rolls, colorful tissue paper, festive ribbon, and a special printable label, you can transform humble materials into personalized party favors. Each popper, filled with delicious Hershey’s Kisses, promises a delightful surprise when opened, making the New Year’s countdown even more exciting for your little ones.

Why Make Midnight Kisses Party Poppers for New Year’s Eve?

Crafting offers numerous benefits for children, fostering fine motor skills, encouraging creative thinking, and providing a sense of accomplishment. When the craft is also tied to a special event like New Year’s Eve, it elevates the experience, making kids feel like an integral part of the celebration. These Midnight Kisses Party Poppers tick all the boxes for a perfect winter break activity:

Engaging & Creative: Kids love to get their hands dirty and express themselves through art. This craft allows them to choose colors, arrange components, and personalize each popper.
Simple & Accessible: The materials are inexpensive and readily available, often items you already have around the house, making it a spontaneous and stress-free project.
Interactive Fun: The process of making these poppers is enjoyable, but the real fun comes from opening them! The anticipation of the sweet surprise inside adds an extra layer of excitement to the New Year’s Eve festivities.
Budget-Friendly: Crafting with repurposed items like toilet paper rolls is incredibly economical. Plus, a clever tip involves stocking up on Hershey’s Kisses during post-Christmas clearance sales, significantly cutting down costs.
Involves Everyone: This craft is suitable for a wide range of ages. Younger children can help with filling and twisting, while older kids can take charge of cutting and curling ribbons. It’s a wonderful family bonding activity.
Personalized Party Favors: Instead of generic store-bought items, these handmade poppers add a personal touch to your New Year’s Eve celebration, making it feel extra special.

This project is more than just a craft; it’s an experience that creates lasting memories. Imagine your children’s delight as they proudly present their handmade party poppers, knowing they contributed to the festive atmosphere.

Choosing Your Treats and Decorations

One of the best aspects of these New Year’s Eve Party Poppers is the ability to customize them completely. From the colors of the tissue paper to the flavors of the Hershey’s Kisses, you can tailor each popper to your family’s preferences or a specific party theme.

Hershey’s Kisses: A World of Flavor

Hershey’s Kisses come in an incredible variety of flavors. While classic milk chocolate is always a hit, consider mixing things up! You could include:

Milk Chocolate: The timeless favorite.
Special Dark: For those who prefer a richer, less sweet experience.
Almond: A delightful crunch with every bite.
Caramel: A gooey, sweet surprise inside.
Cookies ‘n’ Creme: A white chocolate treat with cookie bits.
Seasonal Flavors: Often available around the holidays (peppermint, cherry cordial, etc.), perfect for that post-Christmas clearance haul!

A fun idea is to create a “mystery mix.” Place several different kinds of Hershey’s Kisses in a bowl and let each child grab a handful to fill their popper. This way, everyone gets a delightful surprise when they finally twist open their festive treat!

Tissue Paper and Ribbon: Adding Sparkle

New Year’s Eve is all about sparkle and celebration! While silver and gold are traditional, don’t shy away from incorporating other vibrant colors. Think:

Metallic Tones: Silver, gold, and bronze tissue paper instantly elevate the festive feel.
Bright & Bold: Blues, purples, and greens can add a modern twist.
Patterns: Look for tissue paper with stars, polka dots, or subtle glitter.

For the ribbon, curling ribbon is ideal for that classic party popper look. Again, silver and gold are perfect, but a mix of complementary colors can be visually stunning. About 48 inches of ribbon per tube (divided for both ends) allows for generous curls that will cascade beautifully when the popper is opened.

Pro Tip for Budget-Savvy Crafters: After Christmas, many stores deeply discount holiday-themed candies and craft supplies. This is the perfect time to stock up on Hershey’s Kisses, festive tissue paper, and curling ribbon for a fraction of the cost. Planning ahead means you can make a large batch of these party poppers for really cheap, ensuring everyone at your New Year’s Eve gathering gets one!

Midnight Kisses New Year’s Eve Party Poppers Supplies:

Gathering your materials beforehand makes the crafting process smooth and enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need for each festive popper:

Toilet paper roll or paper towel roll: Cut a paper towel roll into sections approximately the same size as a toilet paper roll (around 4-5 inches long). This forms the sturdy core of your popper.
4-5 Hershey’s Kisses: Choose your favorite flavors, or a mix of several for a delightful surprise.
1 sheet of tissue paper: Silver or gold works wonderfully for New Year’s, but feel free to explore other festive colors.
Curling ribbon: Approximately 48 inches total per tube. Silver curling ribbon adds a classic touch.
Midnight Kisses printable: This special label adds a polished, professional look to your handmade poppers. You can download it here.
Sticker or Label Paper: Printing your labels on sticker paper makes application incredibly easy.
Scissors: For cutting tissue paper, ribbon, and the printable labels.

Making Your Midnight Kisses New Year’s Eve Party Poppers: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating these party poppers is a fun and simple activity that even younger children can participate in with a little supervision. Follow these easy steps to bring your New Year’s Eve crafts to life.

Step 1: Prepare Your Labels and Tissue Paper

First, print the Midnight Kisses printable labels onto sticker or label paper. Carefully cut out each label. If you don’t have sticker paper, you can print on regular paper and use a glue stick to attach them later. Next, take your sheet of tissue paper. While it’s folded, cut it into a square approximately 8 inches by 8 inches. This size provides enough paper to comfortably wrap around the toilet paper roll and leave enough excess for twisting the ends. If your tissue paper is very thin, you might consider using two layers for added durability and opacity.

Step 2: Fill and Wrap Your Party Popper

Now for the sweet part! Carefully place 4-5 Hershey’s Kisses inside your toilet paper roll. Make sure they are nestled comfortably and won’t fall out easily. Once filled, position the toilet paper roll in the center of your 8×8 inch tissue paper square. Begin to roll the tissue paper around the tube, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight. Once the tube is fully wrapped, twist the ends of the tissue paper firmly on both sides of the roll. This creates the classic party popper shape and secures the candies inside. If your Kisses are still a bit loose, gently push them towards the center before twisting the ends to prevent them from slipping out.

Step 3: Add the Festive Ribbon

Take about 24 inches of your curling ribbon and cut it in half, giving you two 12-inch pieces. This length is perfect for creating beautiful curls. Take one 12-inch piece and tie it securely around one of the twisted tissue paper ends, forming a knot to hold it in place. Repeat this process for the other twisted end with the remaining 12-inch ribbon piece. Once both ends are tied, use the edge of your scissors (carefully, under adult supervision for children!) to curl the ribbon. Simply hold the ribbon taut between your thumb and the blade of the scissors, then pull the ribbon along the blade to create lovely spirals. The more ribbon you use, the more dramatic the curls will be!

Step 4: Apply the “Midnight Kisses” Label

The final touch is to add your personalized “Midnight Kisses” sticker. If you printed on sticker paper, simply peel off the backing and carefully place the label onto the center of the wrapped toilet paper roll. Smooth it out to avoid any bubbles or wrinkles. If you used regular paper, apply a thin layer of glue stick to the back of the label and adhere it to the popper. This label not only enhances the visual appeal of your party poppers but also clearly communicates the delightful surprise waiting inside! These completed poppers make fantastic New Year’s Eve party favors, decorations, or a special treat for each child.

More New Year’s Party Ideas for Family Fun

Keeping the kids engaged during the New Year’s celebrations can make the evening enjoyable for everyone. Beyond these fun party poppers, here are a couple more ideas to consider:

New Year’s Word Search Printable: A classic and quiet activity that helps kids wind down or focus before the big countdown.
New Year’s Fortune Cookie Craft: Another creative craft where kids can write their own predictions or hopes for the new year.

Incorporating a mix of energetic and calm activities ensures that your New Year’s Eve celebration is balanced and memorable for all ages.

This easy and enjoyable DIY Midnight Kisses New Year’s Eve Party Poppers Craft is a fantastic way to involve your children in the holiday festivities. It offers a wonderful blend of creativity, anticipation, and a sweet reward, making the transition into the new year even more special. We hope you and your family have a fantastic time crafting, celebrating, and creating cherished memories this New Year’s Eve. May your new year be filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of sweet moments!