3 Ways To Make A Paper Popper - WikiHow

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How to Make a Paper Popper Download Article Reviewed by Renee Day

Last Updated: October 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Making a Regular Popper
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• Making an Origami Popper
|
• Making an Alternative Paper Popper
|
• Video
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• Q&A
|
• Tips
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• Warnings
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• Things You'll Need

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This article was reviewed by Renee Day. Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 716,417 times.

A paper popper is perfect for scaring or pranking your siblings and friends. By folding a piece of paper correctly, you can create air pockets that will make a loud popping sound if you snap the paper down using the right technique. All you need is one piece of paper and some wrist power, and soon you'll have a popper of your very own!

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Making a Regular Popper

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1. 1 Use an 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheet of printer paper. If you don't have printer paper handy, you can also tear a piece of paper out of your notebook.
   • A standard piece of A4 printer paper, 8.5 by 11 inches (22 by 28 cm) in size works best, but you can use larger or smaller paper if you wish. Just make sure you are using rectangular paper.
   • Notebook paper will not be as sturdy as printer paper and won't make as loud of a noise, but still works well.
   • The paper doesn't have to be this exact size, but it's a good size to start with as it is easier to fold.
   • Lay the paper flat so the longer sides are on the top and bottom.
2. 2 Fold the bottom fourth of your paper up. Fold about 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) of the paper up on a horizontal fold and then apply a crease.[1]
   • Fold the paper away from you, toward the top.
   • Run your finger along the bottom edge to create the crease and keep the fold in place.
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3. 3 Fold another 2.5 inches (64 mm) of the paper up. When you're finished, you should have 1 inch (25 mm) of unfolded paper remaining.[2]
   • If you have a little more or less than 1 inch (2.5 cm), that's okay too.
4. 4 Flip your paper over and fold it in half. You want to flip your paper so that the unfolded portion is now on the bottom, closest to you. Then fold the paper in half on a vertical crease.[3]
   • When you make this fold, the folded part, or bar, should be visible again.
   • You will now have a square shape with your folds on the outside.
5. 5 Grab the popper at the back tip of the folded bar on the top of your paper. Find the folded edge of your top bar (the part of the paper you folded up earlier) and pinch it with one hand. Then grab the bottom corner with your other hand. Pull the bar up and out as you push the unfolded portion of paper in and down in the opposite direction.[4]
   • You will now see that you’ve created two open loops, or pockets, from the folded bar. Pinch the bottom corners of your looped paper.
6. 6 Make sure you’re not pinching any of the unfolded portions of the paper. You shouldn't pinch the paper too hard. Don't hold down the unfolded part in the middle, or you won't be able to snap it. You can think of this as a bit like holding a paper airplane upside-down.
   • Look through the outside of the popper inward. You should have created two almost diamond-shaped air pockets.
   • When you're snapping the popper open, you'll be releasing the unfolded section of paper. Make sure you're not holding the bottom edge of the unfolded paper and that it has freedom to move.
   • For extra noise, you can try to stretch out and open the air pockets a bit to take in as much air as possible.
7. 7 Snap the popper down. Raise your arm and then bring it down like you're cracking a whip or bouncing a ball.[5]
   • The air pockets should whip out, creating a cracking sound. You can snap the paper down on a desk, or just snap it in the air.
   • As you bring your arm down, snap your wrist down as well to give it extra force.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Making an Origami Popper

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1. 1 Get a piece of 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) printer paper. To make this popper will need a sheet of rectangular paper. Any standard 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheet of paper works well.[6]
   • A standard piece of A4 printer paper, 8.5 by 11 inches (22 by 28 cm) in size works best, but you can use larger or smaller paper if you wish. Just make sure you are using rectangular paper.
   • You can also use notebook paper. Notebook paper won’t be quite as loud because it’s not as heavy, but will still work fine.
   • Place your paper on a table so that the longer sides are on the top and bottom.
2. 2 Create creases on the paper to use as guides. Fold the paper in half lengthwise on a horizontal crease then unfold it. Now fold it in half widthwise on a vertical crease and unfold it again.[7]
   • At this point, you should have four creases in your paper, both vertically and horizontally. The creases will look like a cross.
3. 3 Fold each corner of the paper inward. The edge of your folds should line up with the horizontal crease.[8]
   • When you are done with these four folds, there should be two triangles on either side of the paper.
   • Think of folding each corner down like you would for a paper airplane.
   • You will have a vertical, open section of unfolded paper in the middle between your folds.
4. 4 Fold the popper in half to create a trapezoid shape. You now want to fold the paper in half along the horizontal crease.[9]
   • The popper should now look like a trapezoid or a triangle shape with the tip cut off.
5. 5 Fold up the left and right corners. Position your paper so that the longer flat edge is facing down closer to you. Take the bottom two corners on the left and right side and fold upward.[10]
   • Make sure to line the edges up with the vertical crease.
   • This should create two triangular flaps which meet in the center and together make a diamond.
6. 6 Finish your popper. Flip the paper over and fold it in half on the vertical crease.[11]
   • Once you have done this, the popper should be in the shape of a triangle with the two flaps on the outside.
7. 7 Pop your paper popper. Hold the bottom corners of the popper between your thumb and index finger. Raise your arm above your head, and quickly snap it down to create the popping sound.[12]
   • You may need to pull the inner folds of your paper out a little to get the paper to pop the first time if your paper is stiff.
   • Tuck back in the flap that comes out to make the noise again.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Making an Alternative Paper Popper

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1. 1 Use an 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheet of printer paper. Lay the paper flat on a table and position so the longer sides are on the top and bottom.[13]
   • A standard piece of A4 printer paper, 8.5 by 11 inches (22 by 28 cm) in size works best, but you can use larger or smaller paper if you wish. Just make sure you are using rectangular paper.
   • Regular notebook paper also works well, but may not be as loud as it's thinner than printer paper.
2. 2 Fold the paper in half lengthwise on a horizontal crease. Take the bottom edge of your paper and bring it up to meet the top edge.[14]
   • Run your finger along the bottom folded edge to create a crease.
3. 3 Fold the paper in half again. This time, fold your paper in half widthwise on a vertical crease.[15]
   • Take the right edge of your paper and bring it over to meet the left edge.
   • Run your finger along the crease to keep your folds in place.
4. 4 Pinch the two inner flaps on the bottom of your paper with one hand. You will have four flaps of paper on the bottom which were created by your folds. Pinch the two inner flaps.
   • The top of your paper will have two edges created by your folds. On the bottom of your paper, you will see two outer flaps and two inner flaps.
5. 5 Pinch the two outer flaps with your other hand. Pull the inner flaps upward while keeping the outer flaps in place with your other hand.[16]
   • You will now see two loops, or cone shapes, which were created by pushing the inner flaps upward.
   • Keep the inner flaps held in place by pinching the outer flaps toward the middle the paper.
   • Make sure you're not pinching any parts of the inner flaps as the cones you’ve created will flap out when you throw down your popper and make the noise.
6. 6 Pop your popper. Raise your arm up holding your popper and throw it down like you would if you were cracking a whip or bouncing a ball on the ground.
   • Snap your wrist down as you bring your arm down to help the inner flaps pop out.
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Community Q&A

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• Question Which one is the best? Maddie Top Answerer Each method works well, but the last method is the loudest. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 19
• Question How do you make it extremely loud? Maddie Top Answerer The last method is the loudest. Try that one if you haven't already. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 19
• Question Can any of them be made with notebook paper? Maddie Top Answerer All of them can be made with regular notebook and printer papers. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 10 Helpful 24

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Tips

• Make sure to snap your wrist down when throwing your popper to get a louder sound. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
• Try using different papers like colored construction paper. Or paper with different textures to see if you can get more sounds. Thanks Helpful 8 Not Helpful 5
• Feel free to decorate your popper and make it unique. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 9

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• When customizing with markers, make sure you don't soak the page. Too much ink can ruin the sound of the pop.
• I've found that heavier construction paper makes a louder popping sound than printer paper.

Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• The popper can be loud and even sound like a gunshot. Don't use your popper in a quiet place where it might scare people you don't know. Thanks Helpful 61 Not Helpful 19
• Don't do it in front dogs and cats. Thanks Helpful 21 Not Helpful 4
• Avoid making a paper popper at an airport, as you could get in trouble with airport security. Thanks Helpful 17 Not Helpful 3
• Don't throw your popper in class to disrupt your teacher. You may get in trouble. Thanks Helpful 64 Not Helpful 24

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Things You'll Need

• 1 or more piece(s) of paper

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References

1. ↑ https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/how-to-make-paper-poppers/
2. ↑ https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/how-to-make-paper-poppers/
3. ↑ https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyoftheprimitivepaperbanger.htm
4. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXXsYA7Sgdc&t=4m35s
5. ↑ https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/how-to-make-paper-poppers/
6. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/new-years-eve-origami-popper
7. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/how-to-make-paper-popper.shtml
8. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/new-years-eve-origami-popper
9. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/new-years-eve-origami-popper

More References (7)

10. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/how-to-make-paper-popper.shtml
11. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-and-experiments/new-years-eve-origami-popper
12. ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/how-to-make-paper-popper.shtml
13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N5abiPaEeM
14. ↑ https://www.bbbswnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Paper-Banger-1.pdf
15. ↑ https://www.bbbswnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Paper-Banger-1.pdf
16. ↑ https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyoftheprimitivepaperbanger.htm

About This Article

Reviewed by: Renee Day Crafting Expert This article was reviewed by Renee Day. Renee Day is a Crafting Expert and Content Creator based in Michigan. She is a master of paper crafts, and also specializes in brush lettering, journaling, embossing, stamping, stenciling, doodling, and crocheting. Her Instagram account, thediyday, has over 300K followers. She published a book called Creative Journaling: A Guide to Over 100 Techniques and Ideas for Amazing Dot Grid, Junk, Mixed-Media, and Travel Pages. The book contains 52 projects, from crafting colorful pages to creating dot grid, junk, mixed-media, and travel journals. She also created Chunky Letter Calligraphy, a 30+ page (PDF) all about lettering. She runs a thriving Amazon Storefront, where she curates craft supply collections for her followers. She previously worked as a photographer, capturing engagement sessions, weddings, boudoir, and landscapes. She received a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. This article has been viewed 716,417 times. 258 votes - 67% Co-authors: 41 Updated: October 29, 2025 Views: 716,417 Categories: Party Decorations Article SummaryX

To make an origami paper popper, fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise on a horizontal crease, and then unfold it. Next, fold it in half widthwise on a vertical crease and unfold it. Then, fold each corner of the paper inward so the edges line up with the horizontal crease. Now, fold the paper in half on the horizontal line. Once you’ve completed these steps, fold down the left and right corners to create a diamond. Finally, flip the paper over and fold it in half on the vertical crease to create the popper. Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

• 

  Sebastian J.

  Nov 27

  "It was so loud that my ears were ringing for a few seconds, but it was kind of funny." Rated this article:

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Yes No Did this article help you? Say thanks with a small tip. $1 $3 $5 Leave a Tip Support our mission to help everyone in the world learn how to do anything. Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Renee Day Crafting Expert 258 votes - 67% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 41 Updated: October 29, 2025 Views: 716,417

Sebastian J.

Nov 27

"It was so loud that my ears were ringing for a few seconds, but it was kind of funny." Rated this article:

Lenny F.

May 16, 2024

"I annoyed my neighbors and am wholeheartedly sorry to them, even though it was pretty funny."

Anonymous

Jun 21, 2017

"The first two worked great. We couldn't get the last method to work, meaning it didn't pop."

Azariah Powell

Feb 9, 2017

"Good explaining, and liked the arrows and description that show how to make the popper."

Anonymous

Oct 23, 2017

"How to hold the popper helped. I could not understand that on the first one. Thanks." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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