Blast off a little more safely this Fourth of July with help from this star-spangled craft. The rocket-shaped confetti poppers are completely free of fireworks, but offer the anticipation that comes with waiting for a bottle rocket to take off. Craft in advance of the holiday and hang the colorful rockets as a decoration—on the big day, kids can pull a special string to unleash the confetti inside.

From the tissue paper, cut a square that measures approximately three inches across.

(A) Cut out a circle from card stock that will fit inside the bottom of your toilet paper roll.

(B) Then, glue the circle onto the center of the square.

(C) While the glue is drying, measure approximately two feet of twine and thread onto your craft needle.

(D) Fold up the sides of the tissue paper and (E) glue onto the sides of the cardboard tube.

(F) Tie a knot at one end and add your bead. When the glue is mostly dry on your circle, thread the string through, so that the bead rests on the card stock circle side. Place on the end of the toilet paper roll with the bead inside of the cardboard tube.

(G) Cut pieces of the festive paper to fit snugly around the roll. Then add stickers, draw pictures, write messages and decorate for the holiday.

(H) Tape strips of ribbon to the inside of the paper—your rocket will look like it is taking off! Also cut out circles, stars or other shapes to attach to bottom of the rocket’s pull string—this will help kids identify which string to pull to release the confetti.

(I) When you’ve finished decorating, wrap the decorative paper around the roll and secure with tape or glue.

(J) Make a lid for the rocket by cutting out a circle that measures about 3.2 inches across. (Tip: Trace around a regular-sized spool of ribbon to get the right size.)

(K) Draw a line from one edge of the circle to the center, and cut along the line.

(L) Pull the edges in opposite directions until your circle becomes a cone and secure in place with tape or glue.

(M) To attach the topper to the rocket, use your hole punch to make a hole on both sides of the carboard tube.

(N) String the twine through both holes and pull ends together.

(O) Slip a bead through the ends and slide to the middle of the tube opening.

(P) Thread both ends of the string through the hole at the top of your lid, and pull the topper down the string to rest on the tube.

(Q) To add your confetti mix, slide the topper back up the string and pour in all the sequins, pompom balls and paper scraps.

(R) Hang the rockets and invite the kiddos to tug on the strings—Happy Fourth of July!

Craft inspired by Brenda Ponnay’s Fourth of July Confetti Popper Rockets tutorial at AlphaMom.com.