How to Make a Homemade New Year’s Eve Noisemaker

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Homemade New Year’s Eve Noisemakers

📝 This post, Homemade New Year’s Eve Noisemakers, was originally published in 2015 and has been updated with new information and resources.

I made these homemade New Year’s Eve noisemakers with my students for years, and eventually I got to make them with my own boys, too! They do require a little prep ahead of time, but the finished noisemakers are so much fun that they’re absolutely worth it.

Kids can decorate them however they like, fill them with something that rattles, and then they’re ready to make plenty of noise when the clock strikes midnight—or whenever your family’s New Year’s celebration happens!

How to Make Homemade New Year’s Eve Noisemakers

These noisemakers are made from empty ribbon spools or bobbins and a few simple craft supplies. Once the spools are prepared, kids can decorate them however they like and make each one completely their own.

Materials Needed

✔️Empty ribbon bobbins or spools

✔️Colored paper

✔️Clear tape

✔️White glue

✔️Hot glue

✔️Sequins

✔️Glitter

✔️Ribbon

✔️Pipe cleaners

✔️Other craft supplies of your choice

✔️Rice, barley, popcorn kernels, or another dry material that makes noise when shaken

Prepare the Noisemakers

Begin by tracing the ribbon spools onto colored paper. Make enough circles to cover both sides of each spool you plan to decorate. I used a mix of construction paper and sparkly paper I already had on hand.

Next, take one spool and cover one of the center holes with a small scrap of paper. Secure it well with clear tape so nothing can fall out.

Add a small amount of rice, barley, popcorn kernels, or another dry filling to the inside of the spool.

Cover the remaining hole with another small piece of paper and secure it with tape. Make sure both sides are sealed before handing the noisemaker over for decorating.

I prepared several of these ahead of time so my boys could jump right into the fun part.

Decorate Your New Year’s Eve Noisemakers

Let your child choose what they would like to use to cover the outside edge of the spool. Ribbon, paper, pipe cleaners, or other craft materials all work well. Use hot glue to attach anything that needs a stronger hold.

Next, glue one colored paper circle to each side of the spool. White glue works well for this step.

Then it’s time to decorate! Add sequins, glitter, ribbon, stickers, pipe cleaners, or anything else you have in your craft supplies.

You can decorate one side at a time and allow it to dry before flipping it over, or decorate the paper circles first, let them dry completely, and then glue them onto the spool.

Ready to Make Some Noise?

Once everything is dry, it’s time to shake!

These homemade New Year’s Eve noisemakers are such a simple way to make the celebration feel special for kids. I loved making them with my students year after year, but getting to make them with my own boys made the activity even more fun.

However you decorate yours, just be prepared for a very noisy New Year’s celebration! 🎉