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.
Step-by-step guide to host the Ultimate Cool Smiley Face Doodling Contest and make DIY star sprinkle-poppers
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
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
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
How to DOODLE | Step by step
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How to DOODLE | Step by step
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HOW TO DOODLE! Cool tips😎
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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!
