If your kids are bouncing off the walls, bored, and looking for some fun, you’ll love this project! Making a marshmallow shooter is easy, inexpensive, and a hit with kids (and grown-ups too!). Take it from a Nana of 6 active grandkids, this is tested, played with, and kid-approved!
Jump to:
- Fun Activity Alert: DIY Marshmallow Shooter
- Supplies for a Marshmallow Shooter
- Step-by-Step Marshmallow Shooter DIY
- Full length video option
- Tips for a Smooth Launch
- Up for a Game?
- Fun Variations to Try
- FAQ about a Mini Marshmallow Shooter
- More DIY Games for Kids
- Come join the fun at WTN!
- Want More Crafts Like This?
- Craft a Marshmallow Shooter: Pom-Pom Popper!
Fun Activity Alert: DIY Marshmallow Shooter
Ready to blast away boredom? You can pull this off with supplies you probably already have at home. No glue guns or mess, and they’ll be launching mini marshmallows across the room in no time.
After raising 3 kids I know that it’s important to have a few fun time filler activities up your sleeve. On a day with bad weather or to spark a fun competitive game this is the activity for you to pull out.
I received a marshmallow shooter for Christmas “back in the day”, made of PVC pipe. That was a bit more than I wanted to tackle in a craft- cutting pipes, elbow joints and all.
So I made one out of a cup and one out of a toilet paper tube. So. Much. Fun! I challenge you to try a variety of materials to see what works the best. The competition is on!
Supplies for a Marshmallow Shooter
To make one marshmallow shooter, you’ll need:
- 1 disposable cup- A cup of heavy paper for decorating or a sturdy one like a party cup works best.
- Or- 1 toilet paper tube- A toilet paper tube is a good option if you don’t have a cup.
- 1 balloon- Use a 9” or larger, heavier weight balloon so it lasts longer.
- Mini marshmallows or pom-poms- Either mini marshmallows or pom-poms work for popping from the cup.
- Craft scissors- You'll need a good craft scissors.
- Utility knife (optional)- An older child might want to use an Exacto knife.
- Tape like colored duct tape or washi tape (optional)- Duct tape holds the balloon onto the cup.
Step-by-Step Marshmallow Shooter DIY
Decorate the Cup or TP Tube
Grab the markers or scrapbook paper to decorate the outside surface of the cup or toilet paper tube. If the cup is plastic it may require permanent markers to decorate.
Crafty Twist: Use colorful gems, washi tape, or stickers to decorate the cup. Then each shooter will have its own unique design. Let the kids get creative!
Cut the Cup
Cut out the bottom of the cup. Grown-ups may need to help littles with this step, especially if the cup is a heavy material. You want a smooth hole at the bottom of the cup so the marshmallow can move through easily.
Experience Tip: If the edge feels sharp after cutting, wrap it with a bit of tape to prevent scratching.
Tie and Cut the Balloon Top
Don’t blow up the balloon, but tie a knot on the balloon neck end.
Then, cut off about a half-inch from the top rounded end of the balloon. This makes about a 1or 1 ½ inch wide opening in that end of the balloon (opposite end from the tied end).
Stretch the Balloon
Take the cut end of the balloon and stretch it open with your fingers. Place the open part of the balloon over the cut end of the cup. Pull it up the side of the cup so it’s snug and centered. I used duct tape to hold the balloon onto the cup well.
Load and Launch!
Grab the mini marshmallows and drop one into the top of the cup. Pull back on the knotted end of the balloon, aim, and let go! Always aim away from faces of course.
So go ahead—blast that boredom today.
Age Level
Even preschoolers can enjoy making this marshmallow shooter if they have help on the cutting step. This craft is for ages 4 and up!
Full length video option
If you want to watch the full length video on YouTube use this link: YouTube Craft a Marshmallow Shooter.
Tips for a Smooth Launch
These tips can help make marshmallow launching even easier!
- Use the thicker balloons- Thicker balloons stretch better and will last longer.
- Use mini marshmallows- Bigger marshmallows don’t fly well.
- Never aim at faces- Always think of safety first, always!
- Cut cup bottoms ahead of time- Prepare the cups ahead of time if doing this as a birthday party craft or with younger children.
Up for a Game?
What can we play with our marshmallow shooters?
- Target Points- Make a target and assign points for each ring, like darts.
- Hoop Shoot- Hang up hoops and shoot marshmallows through them.
- Cups Caper- Set out several cups or pans assigning them points. How many points can you get by launching marshmallows into them.
- Marshmallow Tag- Play marshmallow tag. The person that gets hit with a marshmallow is “it”. Remember, never aim for the face.
- Craft stash- This is an easy craft activity to keep on hand for a birthday party or for when there’s “nothing to do”. It’s inexpensive, fast, and kid-powered!
Fun Variations to Try
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this pom-pom shooter craft:
- Pom-Pom Popper- Swap out the mini marshmallows for colorful pom-poms.
- Colored mini marshmallows- Colored marshmallows, need I say more?
- Glow-in-the-Dark Ammo- Spray cotton balls or pom-poms with a bit of glow in the dark spraypaint for nighttime fun.
- Give your Marshmallow Shooter a theme- Unicorn flier? Pirate shooter? Marshmallow monster? Decorate your shooter to match your chosen theme.
- Mega Shooters- Try using larger cups and using larger balloons for an “XL” version of the marshmallow shooter. (Or perhaps Mini Shooters?)
- TP Tube: Use a toilet paper tube, or other tube item for the base of the popper.
FAQ about a Mini Marshmallow Shooter
Cut off the bottom of a disposable cup. Take a 9” or larger balloon and tie the end without blowing it up first. Clip off about a half inch of the rounded end of the balloon.
Pull this cut slit open and slip it onto the cut end of the cup. Attach the balloon to the cup with some tape.
Drop a marshmallow into the open end of the cup, pull the tied end of the balloon, aim and let go. The marshmallow is launched! The complete directions and tips are in this craft post for “How do you make a marshmallow shooter”.
Place a mini marshmallow into the cup from the open end and it will drop down onto the balloon. Pull the balloon on the tied, aim, and let go of the balloon. The marshmallow will launch out of the end of the cup.
Marshmallows are soft and would be safe for most indoor play. But always aim away from faces or fragile items and have supervision for children.
More DIY Games for Kids
Looking for more great DIY Activity for kids? Here are a few favorites for you to try:
Come join the fun at WTN!
Try this craft, leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
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Craft a Marshmallow Shooter: Pom-Pom Popper!
Equipment
- craft scissors You'll need a good craft scissors
- Utility knife (optional) An older child might want to use an Exacto knife
Items Required
- 1 disposable cup A cup of heavy paper for decorating or a sturdy one like a party cup works best
- Or a toilet paper tube second option to a cup
- 9” or larger, heavier weight balloon
- Either mini marshmallows or pom-poms
- Duct tape or other type of tape
Instructions
- Grab the markers or scrapbook paper to decorate the outside surface of the cup or toilet paper tube. If the cup is plastic it may require permanent markers to decorate.
- Cut out the bottom of the cup. Grown-ups may need to help littles with this step, especially if the cup is a heavy material. You want a smooth hole at the bottom of the cup so the marshmallow can move through easily.
- Don’t blow up the balloon, but tie a knot on the balloon neck end.Then, cut off about a half-inch from the top rounded end of the balloon. This makes about a 1or 1 ½ inch wide opening in that end of the balloon (opposite end from the tied end).
- Take the cut end of the balloon and stretch it open with your fingers. Place the open part of the balloon over the cut end of the cup. Pull it up the side of the cup so it’s snug and centered. I used duct tape to hold the balloon onto the cup well.
- Grab the mini marshmallows and drop one into the top of the cup. Pull back on the knotted end of the balloon, aim, and let go! Always aim away from faces of course.
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