Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest w DIY Star Sprinklepopping

All Activities

Draw fun smiley faces and craft DIY star confetti poppers from paper tubes, balloons, and stars, then host a friendly doodling contest with friends.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to host the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest and make DIY star sprinkle-poppers

What you need

Paper tubes (toilet paper or cut paper towel tubes), balloons, colored paper, coloring materials, scissors, tape, rubber bands, small bowl to hold stars, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials on a table so everything is easy to reach.

Step 2

Cut lots of small star shapes from the colored paper and drop them into the small bowl.

Step 3

With adult help cut each paper tube down to a palm-size popper length.

Step 4

With adult help cut the rounded tip off each balloon to make a stretchy ring.

Step 5

Stretch one balloon ring over one end of a paper tube so the cut edge sits snug against the tube rim.

Step 6

Pour about two thirds of the bowl of stars into the open end of the tube.

Step 7

Wrap a rubber band or tape around the balloon edge and tube to hold the balloon ring tight.

Step 8

On separate sheets of paper draw and color lots of silly and super creative smiley faces.

Step 9

Tape one smiley face to each popper or place a matching smiley next to each popper.

Step 10

Invite friends and explain simple friendly contest rules like one pop per person and categories to win.

Step 11

Take turns pulling the balloon ring back and then letting it go to launch the star confetti.

Step 12

After everyone has popped their popper vote for winners in categories such as funniest coolest and most creative smiley.

Step 13

Share your finished smiley poppers and contest photos and stories on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use instead of colored paper stars or a small bowl if I don't have them?

If you don't have colored paper or star shapes for step 2, punch or cut small bits from tissue paper, scraps of wrapping paper, or use store-bought confetti or sequins and collect them in a cup or plastic container instead of the small bowl.

My balloon ring keeps slipping off the paper tube — how do I fix that?

If the balloon edge slips in step 6, press the cut balloon rim snugly against the tube rim and secure it with an extra rubber band plus tape wrapped firmly around the balloon and tube.

How can I adapt the steps for toddlers versus older kids?

For toddlers, have an adult do the cutting in steps 3–5 and pour the stars in step 5 while the child focuses on drawing smiley faces in step 8 and supervised single pops, whereas older kids can cut their own tubes/balloons in steps 3–5, fill and seal their poppers, and run the contest rules in step 10 themselves.

How can we make the contest more creative or personalize each popper?

To enhance the activity after step 8, add name labels, stickers, glitter glue, glow-in-the-dark paint on the smiley faces, or swap plain stars for themed confetti and then create specialty categories in step 11 like 'best glow pop' or 'most sparkly popper.'

Watch videos on how to host the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest and make DIY star sprinkle-poppers

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to DOODLE | Step by step

4 Videos

Facts about drawing and paper crafts for kids

😊 The iconic yellow smiley face was drawn in 1963 by artist Harvey Ball in about 10 minutes!

🎨 Doodling can boost memory and focus—one study found doodlers remembered roughly 29% more information.

🎉 The word "confetti" comes from Italian "confetto" (a sweet); people originally threw candy at celebrations.

📦 You can make a safe DIY popper by stretching a cut balloon over a paper tube and tugging to launch paper stars.

🎈 Rubber balloons were invented by Michael Faraday in 1824 for experiments—today they're a party classic!

How do you run the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest with DIY Star Sprinklepopping?

To run the contest, set up two stations: smiley doodling and DIY star popper making. For poppers, stuff a paper tube with punched paper stars or confetti, stretch a cut balloon piece over one end, tape to secure, and pull-and-release (aim away from faces) to scatter stars. For doodling, give paper and markers, set a timer for rounds with prompts, then vote on categories like funniest or most creative. Finish with friendly awards and a tidy-up.

What materials do I need for the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest?

Materials: paper tubes (toilet-paper or craft tubes), balloons (latex, extra for mistakes), star-shaped confetti or punched paper stars, safety scissors, tape, markers, colored paper, crayons, glue, a star punch (optional), stickers, a trash bowl, and a plastic drop cloth to make cleanup easier. Optional: small non-chokable prizes, stickers, or a timer/phone for rounds.

What ages is the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest suitable for?

Suitable ages: Best for ages 4–12. Preschoolers (3–5) enjoy doodling and can help with stuffing stars but need adult supervision for scissors and balloons. Ages 6–8 can assemble poppers with assistance and join the contest. Ages 9–12 can manage construction independently and enjoy competitive rounds. Always adjust complexity, rules, and supervision to your child's fine motor skills and attention span.

What safety tips and benefits should I know for this activity?

Safety tips: Use balloons only for covering tube ends—keep uninflated balloon pieces away from children under 3 due to choking. Supervise cutting and star punches; use safety scissors for young kids. Aim poppers at the floor or open space, not faces. Use paper stars instead of hard objects. Clear the play area and vacuum small pieces after play. Variations like biodegradable confetti or soft foam stars reduce mess and risk while keeping the fun.

Ready to create?

All Activities

Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest w DIY Star Sprinklepopping

Draw fun smiley faces and craft DIY star confetti poppers from paper tubes, balloons, and stars, then host a friendly doodling contest with friends.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to host the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest and make DIY star sprinkle-poppers

What you need

Paper tubes (toilet paper or cut paper towel tubes), balloons, colored paper, coloring materials, scissors, tape, rubber bands, small bowl to hold stars, adult supervision required

Step 1

Gather all the materials on a table so everything is easy to reach.

Step 2

Cut lots of small star shapes from the colored paper and drop them into the small bowl.

Step 3

With adult help cut each paper tube down to a palm-size popper length.

Step 4

With adult help cut the rounded tip off each balloon to make a stretchy ring.

Step 5

Stretch one balloon ring over one end of a paper tube so the cut edge sits snug against the tube rim.

Step 6

Pour about two thirds of the bowl of stars into the open end of the tube.

Step 7

Wrap a rubber band or tape around the balloon edge and tube to hold the balloon ring tight.

Step 8

On separate sheets of paper draw and color lots of silly and super creative smiley faces.

Step 9

Tape one smiley face to each popper or place a matching smiley next to each popper.

Step 10

Invite friends and explain simple friendly contest rules like one pop per person and categories to win.

Step 11

Take turns pulling the balloon ring back and then letting it go to launch the star confetti.

Step 12

After everyone has popped their popper vote for winners in categories such as funniest coolest and most creative smiley.

Step 13

Share your finished smiley poppers and contest photos and stories on DIY.org

Help!?

What can I use instead of colored paper stars or a small bowl if I don't have them?

My balloon ring keeps slipping off the paper tube — how do I fix that?

If the balloon edge slips in step 6, press the cut balloon rim snugly against the tube rim and secure it with an extra rubber band plus tape wrapped firmly around the balloon and tube.

How can I adapt the steps for toddlers versus older kids?

How can we make the contest more creative or personalize each popper?

Watch videos on how to host the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest and make DIY star sprinkle-poppers

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

How to DOODLE | Step by step

4 Videos

Facts about drawing and paper crafts for kids

😊 The iconic yellow smiley face was drawn in 1963 by artist Harvey Ball in about 10 minutes!

🎨 Doodling can boost memory and focus—one study found doodlers remembered roughly 29% more information.

🎉 The word "confetti" comes from Italian "confetto" (a sweet); people originally threw candy at celebrations.

📦 You can make a safe DIY popper by stretching a cut balloon over a paper tube and tugging to launch paper stars.

🎈 Rubber balloons were invented by Michael Faraday in 1824 for experiments—today they're a party classic!