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DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers: Easy Party Poppers Kids Can Help Make

Need a party favor that feels silly, surprise-filled, and wildly fun without requiring a cart full of specialty supplies? These DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers are made with empty toilet paper tubes, tissue paper, curling ribbon, candy, small toys, and a little Minion-inspired mischief.

They are part party favor, part table decoration, part “wait, what’s inside?” surprise. Tuck them into place settings, scatter them across a birthday table, add them to a movie night snack tray, or use them as a playful classroom party craft. They are easy to customize, budget-friendly, and cheerful enough to make the whole table look like it came ready to shout, “Ta-da!”

And because we are calling them English crackers, let’s be clear: this is a cracker-style party popper craft. These do not need a snapping strip or loud popper insert. Guests simply pull the ends apart to reveal the goodies inside.

Why You’ll Love This Minion Party Popper Craft

• Budget-friendly: It uses empty toilet paper tubes, tissue paper, tape, and ribbon.
• Easy to customize: Swap colors, stickers, jokes, or fillers to fit birthdays, movie nights, classroom parties, or holiday tables.
• Great for party tables: Place one at each seat for an instant favor and decoration.
• Kid-friendly with supervision: Kids can help fill, wrap, decorate, and curl ribbon.
• Perfect for small surprises: Add candy, stickers, jokes, tiny toys, confetti, or handwritten notes.

What Are English Crackers?

Traditional English crackers are festive paper tubes that are pulled open during celebrations, often revealing a small toy, joke, paper crown, or treat. This homemade version keeps the fun and surprise but uses simple craft supplies you probably already have around the house.

Instead of adding a cracker snap, this Minion-inspired version is designed as a pull-apart party favor. It gives kids the excitement of opening something special without the extra noise, specialty supplies, or fuss.

Supplies You’ll Need

Gather your festive little arsenal before you start. For each party popper, you’ll need:

• Empty toilet paper tube
• Yellow tissue paper
• Blue tissue paper
• Double-sided tape
• Curling ribbon in yellow, blue, or both
• Small candies
• Small toys, stickers, or trinkets
• Printable jokes, silly notes, or Minion-inspired sayings
• Scissors
• Optional: Minion-style decals, stickers, paper wraps, or printable character-inspired labels

Best Fillers for DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers

The magic is in the middle. Choose small fillers that fit inside a toilet paper tube and match your party theme.

Candy Fillers

• Mini chocolate bars
• Wrapped hard candies
• Fruit snacks
• Lollipops
• Gum
• Mini packs of cookies or crackers

Non-Candy Fillers

• Stickers
• Temporary tattoos
• Mini erasers
• Tiny notebooks
• Small toy figures
• Friendship bracelets
• Mini bubbles
• Party confetti

Printable Fillers

• Silly jokes
• Kid-friendly riddles
• Movie night trivia
• Handwritten notes
• Mini activity prompts
• “You are one in a Minion” style party messages

How to Make DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers

These come together quickly once your supplies are ready. Set everything up assembly-line style if you are making a batch for a birthday party, classroom table, or family movie night.

Step 1: Prepare the Tissue Paper

Lay one half-sheet of yellow tissue paper and one half-sheet of blue tissue paper on your work surface. Layer them slightly so both colors show once the tube is wrapped. The yellow and blue combination gives the crackers that cheerful Minion-inspired look without needing complicated decorating.

Step 2: Fill the Toilet Paper Tube

Fill the empty toilet paper tube with small treats, tiny toys, stickers, and a silly joke or note. Avoid overfilling the tube because it needs to roll neatly inside the tissue paper.

Craft tip: If you are making these for younger kids, choose age-appropriate fillers and skip anything that could be a choking hazard.

Step 3: Center the Tube on the Tissue Paper

Place the filled tube in the center of your layered tissue paper. Make sure you have extra tissue paper extending beyond both ends of the tube. That extra tissue creates the classic cracker shape once tied with ribbon.

Step 4: Roll the Tube

Roll the tissue paper around the tube, keeping it snug but not so tight that the paper tears. Secure the edge with double-sided tape for a clean finish.

If your tissue paper feels thin, use two layers for each color. This gives the cracker a fuller look and helps hide the contents inside.

Step 5: Tie One End with Curling Ribbon

Gather one end of the tissue paper close to the tube and tie it with curling ribbon. Use about 12 inches of ribbon so you have enough length to make pretty curls.

Step 6: Tie the Other End

Repeat on the other side, gathering the tissue paper and tying it with ribbon. The cracker should now look like a wrapped candy or mini party popper.

Step 7: Curl the Ribbon

Use the blade of scissors to carefully curl the ribbon ends. Adults should handle this step for younger children. The curled ribbon gives the crackers that finished, party-table-ready look.

Step 8: Add the Minion-Inspired Decal or Wrap

To give the cracker extra personality, wrap a Minion-style decal, sticker, or printable paper band around the center of the tube. Secure it with double-sided tape. You can use a simple yellow-and-blue band, add googly eyes, or create a goggle-inspired paper wrap.

Step 9: Secure the Final Edge

Attach the other edge of the decal or paper wrap so it sits smoothly around the tube. Press gently to secure.

Step 10: Repeat Until You Have Enough for the Party

Make one for each guest, plus a few extras for the table. These look adorable in a basket, on a dessert table, or set at each place setting.

How to Open the Party Poppers

To open, pull both ends apart. The treats, jokes, and tiny surprises inside will spill out for a fun little party moment.

Party Ideas for Minion-Themed English Crackers

These crackers are not just for opening. They also work as easy party styling pieces because the yellow, blue, and ribbon make the table feel instantly festive.

Use Them As Place Settings

Place one cracker on each plate or napkin. Add a name tag to turn them into personalized party favors.

Add Them to a Movie Night Snack Board

Pair them with popcorn, cupcakes, fruit snacks, and lemonade for an easy family movie night spread. If you like character-themed activities, you may also love these Free Printable Shrek Activity Sheets and Finding Dory FREE Activity Sheets and Coloring Pages.

Turn Them Into Classroom Party Favors

Skip messy supplies and fill the crackers with stickers, jokes, pencils, erasers, or small wrapped treats. They are easy to hand out and fun for kids to open at the same time.

Use Them for Holiday Tables

Change the tissue colors to match the season. Yellow and blue work for a Minion-inspired party, but you can use red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, pastels for Easter, or rainbow colors for birthdays.

More Party Favor Crafts to Try

If you love surprise-filled crafts, these DIY Minion-themed English crackers pair beautifully with other easy kids craft and party favor ideas:

• Pop Top Party Favor Craft — Turn pop-top cans into clever hidden surprise containers.
• Paper Roll Mummy Craft — Another toilet paper roll craft that works perfectly for Halloween parties and treat tables.
• Kids Crafts & Activities — Browse more paper crafts, printable activities, party ideas, and screen-free projects.

Expert Tips for the Best DIY English Crackers

• Do not overfill the tube. Too many treats make the cracker bulky and harder to wrap.
• Use wrapped candy. It keeps everything cleaner, especially if kids are helping assemble the crackers.
• Cut tissue paper ahead of time. Pre-cut sheets make batch crafting much faster.
• Use double-sided tape. It gives a cleaner finish than glue and dries instantly.
• Keep fillers age-appropriate. Avoid tiny toys for toddlers or any child who still puts items in their mouth.
• Make one sample first. Once you know your ideal paper size and ribbon length, the rest are easier to assemble.

Creative Variations

Birthday Party Crackers

Use tissue paper in the birthday child’s favorite colors and add balloons, confetti, and mini birthday jokes inside.

Movie Night Crackers

Fill each tube with popcorn seasoning packets, candy, trivia questions, and movie-night challenge cards.

Classroom Reward Crackers

Fill them with stickers, pencil toppers, bookmarks, jokes, or reward coupons.

Holiday Crackers

Use seasonal colors and match the fillers to the holiday. Try candy hearts for Valentine’s Day, spider rings for Halloween, or small ornaments for Christmas.

No-Candy Crackers

Skip sweets and use stickers, mini erasers, jokes, temporary tattoos, tiny coloring sheets, or paper crowns.

FAQs About DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers

Do these English crackers make a popping sound?

No. This version is a cracker-style party favor that opens when guests pull both ends. It does not include a cracker snap, which makes it easier and quieter for kids’ parties.

Can kids make these by themselves?

Kids can help fill, wrap, tape, and decorate the crackers. Adults should supervise scissors, ribbon curling, and any small fillers.

What size tissue paper should I use?

A half sheet of tissue paper usually works well for one toilet paper tube. You want enough paper to wrap around the tube and extend past both ends for tying.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes. Make them a few days before your party and store them in a box or basket so the tissue paper does not get crushed.

What can I use instead of toilet paper tubes?

You can use paper towel tubes cut into shorter sections, cardstock rolled into tubes, or small cardboard craft tubes.

Are these only for Minion parties?

Not at all. The same basic method works for birthdays, classroom celebrations, holidays, movie nights, baby showers, and themed party tables. Just change the tissue paper colors and decorations.

Final Thoughts: A Little Tube, A Lot of Party Fun

These DIY Minion-Themed English Crackers are proof that party favors do not have to be complicated to feel special. With a toilet paper tube, bright tissue paper, ribbon, and a handful of tiny surprises, you can create a playful craft that doubles as table decor and a party activity.

Make them for a Minion-inspired birthday, a family movie night, a classroom celebration, or any day that needs a little more silly, pull-apart fun. They are easy, affordable, and guaranteed to make guests curious about what is hiding inside.

This craft was originally published December 8, 2017, and updated May 18, 2026, with improved instructions, updates, and new photos.