How to Make a Glitter Bomb

Last Updated: December 16, 2022 References Tested

Glitter bombs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. However, they all have the same purpose – they explode when opened to create a cascade of glitter.^{[1]
X
Research source}^{[2]
X
Research source} Glitter bombs are great at concerts, outdoor parties, and sleepovers. While fun, they can be messy and a pain to clean-up. If releasing a glitter bomb indoors, ask permission first from a parent, boss, or landlord, and never use glitter bombs for malicious purposes.^{[3]
X
Research source}^{[4]
X
Research source}

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Glitter Bomb Popper

1
Gather all necessary supplies. Glitter bomb poppers are similar to confetti poppers used to celebrate New Year’s Eve, weddings, birthdays, or other holidays. Party poppers or crackers first appeared as British party favors in the 1840s. Save money on poppers – and fill them with glitter – by making them at home. You will need:
- Paper towel roll cut in half or toilet paper roll
- Glitter (different colors)
- Scissors
- A Stapler with staples
- Bakers twine or string
- Scotch tape
- Hot glue gun and sticks
- Beads
- Ribbons for streamers
- Cardstock
- Tissue paper
2
Construct a trap door. Glitter bomb poppers explode when someone pulls a string attached to a ‘trap door’.^{[5]
X
Research source} Cut a tissue paper square that is large enough to cover the bottom of your tube (about 3 inches or 7.5 cm). Trace the end of the tube onto a piece of cardstock and cut out the circle. Use the hot glue to glue this circle to the center of the tissue paper square. Let dry for several seconds. Use scissors or a needle to puncture the center of the circle and thread an arm’s length of string or twine through the hole.

Advertisement
3
Attach the trapdoor to the tube. Before gluing the tissue paper and cardstock trapdoor to your tube tie a bead to the end of the string, making sure it is on the side that will face the inside of the cardboard tube. Attach the trapdoor by using the hot glue to glue the edges of the tissue paper to the sides of the tube. At this point, your glitter bomb popper should look like a tube with one end sealed off, and a string ‘tail’ extending from the base.^{[6]
X
Research source}
4
Decorate the tube and fill the tube with glitter. Be creative when decorating the body of the tube. You can wrap it in colored construction paper or metallic foil, or glue ribbons or streamers to the sides and bottom. Before sealing the opposite end, use a funnel or measuring cup to fill ½ to ¾ of the tube with glitter.
5
Add a cone-shaped top. Turn your popper into a rocket by adding a cone-shaped top. Draw a 3.25 inch (8.3 cm) circle on a piece of cardstock. Use the scissors to cut this out, and then cut a single snip from the edge to the center. Pull the edges of the cut together until they overlap about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) to form a cone. Stable the edges together.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Attach the top by punching two small holes just below the opening of the tube. Thread a string through the holes. Bring the two ends of the string together over the opening and thread them through a bead. This will help keep the string centered. Next, thread the string up and through the hole at the top of the cone. You can use this string to hang your popper from the ceiling or attach it to a string of garland.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
6
Release the glitter. Pull on the string extending down from the trap door. This will cause the trap door to rip-off and cause the glitter to rain down on unsuspecting partygoers.
7
Turn your glitter popper into a glitter cracker. Modify this design so you can include them as party favors, rather than party decorations that need to be hung up. The glitter is released when you "crack open" the ends of the tube, instead of pulling on a string. Wrap your cardboard roll in tissue paper. Use enough tissue paper that it extends several inches beyond each end of the roll.^{[9]
X
Research source} Next, glue cardstock, construction paper, or metallic foil onto the body of the roll (over the tissue paper). Twist one end of the tissue paper and tie it off with ribbon. Use a funnel to fill the tube with glitter. Finally, twist and tie the tissue paper at the opposite end to seal-off the roll.
- Release the glitter and crack-open the tube by gripping both ends with your hands and pulling them apart. Instruct people to pull as hard as they can so the glitter will explode and not simply fall out.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making a Glitter Bomb Stick

1
Gather all necessary supplies. This glitter bomb is easy to make and a great way to add some sparkle to Birthdays or New Year’s Eve parties.^{[10]
X
Research source} You will need:
- Paper straws (different colors)
- Glitter (different colors)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Scrap paper
- Bowl (optional)
- Hot glue gun and sticks
2
Cut the paper straws in half. Bend the straw in half and cut it in the center with scissors. You will use the paper straws to hold the glitter. By cutting them in half, you double your number of glitter bombs. They are also easier to hold and break open than full size straws.
3
Glue one end of the straw. You will want to plug one end of the straw, but keep the opposite end open for now. Use a few drops of hot glue at one end to create a plug. This will make it easier to fill the straw with glitter. Let the glue dry.
4
Fill the straw with glitter. Hold the straw vertically over the bowl so the open end is facing up. Use your piece of scrap paper to make a funnel.^{[11]
X
Research source} Place the funnel over the open end and tilt it upright to fill the straw with glitter. Once the straw is filled, pour extra glitter back into its container. Tap the end of the straw to remove excess glitter. Plug the open end with hot glue and let dry.
5
Release your glitter bomb. Pull both ends of the straw with your hands until it breaks open. It should release a small explosion of glitter. Wave the ends around to release extra glitter trapped in the straw.
- At a party, countdown and have everyone release their glitter bombs at the same time.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making a Peanut Glitter Bomb

1
Gather all necessary supplies. Empty peanut shells make great impromptu glitter bombs. They are lightweight, portable, and easy to add to small packages. You will need:
- A bag of unshelled peanuts
- Scissors
- Glitter (different colors)
- Hot glue gun and sticks
- Acrylic paint (optional)
- Paint brushes (optional)
2
Crack open the peanuts. Use scissors to carefully crack the peanuts. Place the peanut lengthwise between the blades of the scissors and gently apply pressure. Once the peanut splits, use your fingers to separate the two halves and remove the nut from the shell.^{[12]
X
Research source} Repeat until you have your desired number of “peanut glitter bomb” cartridges. Make sure you keep associated shell halves together.
- Discard peanuts that develop any cracks.
3
Fill the peanut shells with glitter. Place associated shell halves next to one another and fill one side with glitter. Repeat until all shell halves are filled.
4
Glue the peanuts back together. Apply hot glue to the edges of the shell half with the glitter. Position the half without glitter so the edges line-up with the glue and press the two halves together. Let the glue dry.^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Once you glue the halves together, you can paint the exterior of the shells with acrylic paint. Consider pouring the paint into a plastic bowl or cup, and mixing glitter into the paint. This will turn the dull peanut shell into a colorful, sparkly glitter bomb.
5
Crack open the glitter bomb. Give the peanut to a friend. Tell them to hold each end and quickly crack the shell. Watch as glitter is released from the center.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making a Glitter Bomb Balloon

1
Gather all necessary supplies. Sparkle balloons are great decorations for adult or children’s birthday parties. Once you are finished using them as decorations, you can pop them with a pin to release the glitter inside. You will need:^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Balloons (different colors)
- Glitter (different colors)
- A plastic funnel
- Helium tank with helium (optional)
2
Fill the balloon with glitter. Insert the long portion of the funnel through the neck of the balloon. Pour the desired amount of glitter through the funnel.
- You can use this same technique to fill a balloon with paper confetti. Simply cut tissue paper into small circles. Grab a small handful of the tissue paper circles, fold them in half, and then fold them in half again. Use the bottom of the funnel to poke the ball of tissue paper into and through the neck of the balloon.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}
3
Inflate the balloon. You can either blow the balloon up with your mouth, or inflate it with helium if you want it to float. Tie off the neck of the balloon. You can also tie a string or ribbon the balloon for decoration.
- Inflate balloons at least one hour before your party. This allow enough time for the static electricity inside the balloon to pull the confetti and/or glitter up and along the sides.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
4
Pop the balloons. Tap the side of the balloon with a pin or needle until it bursts. This will cause glitter to fly out in every direction.
- Attach balloons inflated with air and not helium to a length of garland. Either tape the balloons directly to the garland or tie them on with string. String banners with glitter and/or garland filled balloons along the wall or ceiling. Give you guests pins and tell them to pop the balloons – coating everyone (and everything) in a sparkly layer of glitter.^{[17]
  X
  Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

How can I make a glitter bomb that explodes on impact?

Community Answer

You can try using a water balloon filled with glitter and/or confetti.
Question

Is it possible to make a glitter bomb with a walnut shell?

Community Answer

Of course! If you're creative enough, that is.

Warnings

If you have pets or will be releasing the glitter outside, make sure the glitter you use won't cause any harm if accidentally ingested.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 22 Not Helpful 7
If throwing a party at someone else’s house or apartment, get permission from the owner or landlord before your release glitter bombs. Also, take responsibility for cleaning any messes or repairing any damage.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 22 Not Helpful 10
Do not throw the peanut glitter bomb at someone with peanut allergies.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
Be careful not to get glitter in anyone's eyes.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
Never use glitter bombs as a form of revenge or malicious prank.^{[19]
X
Research source}^{[20]
X
Research source}

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1