3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Favorite

Party Popper Rocket Launcher

video Party Popper Rocket Launcher

How to make a fun toy rocket launcher using a party popper.
This is a surprisingly powerful launcher with the projectile penetrating thin cardboard so please use responsibly and be careful when using the razor blade or craft-knife.

42 comments

1-40 of 42

Oct 26, 2011. 2:08 AM4951931 says:

would a shorter barrel go further?

Mar 1, 2012. 10:22 PMhe who crashes often says:

it depends how short. the ideal barrel size would be one that is the same internal volume as the amount of hot, pressurized gas created by the popper, so that just when there is no more pressure behind it, it leaves the barrel.i think that if you actually made the barrel slightly longer, it would have pressure behind it for longer, and go faster. however, it all depends on the volume of gas put out by the popper.

May 9, 2011. 4:28 PMsirodim90 says:

nice, i used airsoft bbs

Jan 3, 2011. 3:39 AM

NatNoBrains says:

The finished thing. Took me a while to find the right sized barrel. Shot OK.

May 16, 2008. 4:41 PMcannibal_hect0r says:

where can I find bluetak?

Jan 3, 2011. 2:52 AM

NatNoBrains says:

Use anything to block up the holes, maybe even gkue, chewing gum...

Dec 19, 2010. 8:40 AMcrockman1 says:

just put a bunch of airsoft bbs into the pen and a wad of paper presto airsoft back up weapon.

Aug 23, 2008. 12:49 PMFizzxwizz says:

Doesn't it seem like a little too much effort for a 1 use thing? Even though, pretty ingenious and a nice little ballistics toy.

Nov 18, 2010. 6:22 PMrattyrain says:

If it's a spring-loaded popper it can be reused:
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-cheap-airsoft-Madbull-grenade/

Nov 29, 2009. 5:06 AMColonel88 says:

No, not too much because it is One use and after using it you ccan just throw it away. Instead of tube just use straw and instead of BLU-TAC use some cheap play-doh or something. One use, sorta like a derringer :D

Nov 25, 2009. 2:25 PMColonel88 says:

Can you say... THUMBTACK TIP???

Sep 10, 2009. 3:04 PMdakkenly says:

Just got 72 at party city for $9

Apr 9, 2009. 6:16 PMpyro_12 says:

of the party popper things

May 31, 2009. 12:16 PMbadboy123 says:

dude u can buy them at almost any grocery store in the toy section

Jun 2, 2009. 3:58 PMThe Red Button says:

some states ban any pyrotechnic D: D: D:

Jul 28, 2009. 7:20 PMtemp says:

Like massachusetts. At least, they require you to get a special liscence to sell them. So most stores dont =(. But the ice cream man does =D

Apr 5, 2008. 10:31 AMTehevilfluff says:

Do you have to use the bluetak/gum? If so, are there any replacements for it?

Jun 2, 2009. 3:56 PM

Rotten194 says:

DUCT TAPE!!!!!! I think that would work pretty well, need to go buy some poppers though- for scientific purposes, of course.

Nov 25, 2008. 3:40 PMlambman64 says:

i bet hot-glue would work

Apr 5, 2008. 1:22 PMknaven (author) says:

You could try plasticine or even clay - essentially something that will seal and hold the parts together. If you were happy to have the launcher perform just one shot you could even use glue.

Apr 15, 2009. 1:58 PMpyrosniperfreak says:

Hey dude, that kinda looks like you faked the part where it goes through the cardboard. You showed the clip of it firing, then you showed the clip of it going through. And those things have like no power at all. I have airsoft guns that won't go through cardboard.

Apr 9, 2009. 4:24 PMpyro_12 says:

can u post a link to the order on ebay please

Apr 4, 2009. 12:19 PMBen The Builder says:

Neat Idea, I never knew those little things had so much power, now, if only you could find out how to load them in one after another, maybe like just cut out the confetti and stick the pen all the way in and then use it, less work to change the poppers

Jan 5, 2009. 6:30 AMBlo0dZsTa says:

lool i did it an used a bb an i didnt think it would hav much power i put the barrel on my hand an shot it biig purple swelling

Dec 20, 2008. 3:45 PMRocketManDave says:

Simple, single use... Kind of reminds me of a tiny panzerfaust! Very good work ;)

Oct 9, 2008. 7:53 AMlord voldamort says:

how could you be cruel to a lolipop?

Jul 9, 2008. 2:19 AMAnton1995 says:

Great.Love it.4.0

May 3, 2008. 7:54 PMjboppx22 says:

i'v seen ppl make airsoft guns, but this is different, must hurt

Mar 10, 2008. 12:01 AM

Mattrox says:

Looks cool I wonder if it would shoot bb bullets?

Feb 19, 2008. 9:48 AMjakee117 says:

cool i just got some party poppers so i could make something...
now i know what ill make! + 1 = D

Jan 9, 2008. 3:13 PMnerfer192 says:

that was pretty cool! and has power too!

Jan 4, 2008. 9:56 AM

PKM says:

You can see the flash through your fingers in the slow-motion! Sweet :) I'm not normally one for this sort of pyro hack but I love the ingenuity and simplicity.

Jan 4, 2008. 2:24 PMknaven (author) says:

The flashes were a surprise when I saw them on screen. Initially when I went through frame by frame in Adobe Premiere there was no flash but when I slowed the footage down suddenly the flashes appeared. I don't quite understand why that should be but it was a nice surprise when I saw it.

Jan 3, 2008. 3:07 PMKevvixx says:

Thats the coolest launcher i have ever seen!
Great Video and Clear Instructions = one awesome instructable!

Jan 3, 2008. 11:03 AMGorillazMiko says:

Great video, I love it. Looks easy, I might try it out.

Jan 3, 2008. 1:28 PMknaven (author) says:

Thanks for your comments. If you do have a go don't bother emptying out the confetti, just cut off the barrel with the confetti in it and that will same you a little time.

Jan 3, 2008. 9:00 AMthejrb says:

I love the mcgyver theme song. A well put together instructable. Although I might put in steps for printing off and building. Plus one for you.

Jan 3, 2008. 1:26 PMknaven (author) says:

Thank you. Your comments are appreciated.

Jan 3, 2008. 7:07 AMker-boom101 says:

nice i like it but where can i get party poppers here in canada because i was thinking of adding matchead to the popper to burst out burning match heads.....

Jan 3, 2008. 11:51 AMknaven (author) says:

Hi, I don't know specifically where you can buy them in Canada, if you can't find them locally I have found that you can buy them on ebay.com with shipping to Canada. The item number number is 260198134660. A box of 72 poppers (that should keep you busy) costs US $6.25 with US$5.95 postage. I hope that is of help.

1-40 of 42