Festive 4th of July Straw Blowing Fireworks Craft

This fun and festive 4th of July straw blowing fireworks craft uses watercolor paints and a straw to create beautiful fireworks. Makes the perfect 4th of July or New Year’s Eve firework craft for kids of all ages.

For this fireworks craft, you will need construction paper, acrylic paint and water (or watercolor paints), a straw and optional glitter. This craft is super simple and can take anywhere from 5 minutes to 30 minutes depending on how many fireworks you want to make and how old your children are.

Make these fun fireworks to celebrate the 4th of July, at a holiday party for a fun kid’s activity, or on New Year’s Eve to help ring in the New Year. For another fun fireworks craft be sure to also check out these fork painted fireworks.

Blowing Straw Fireworks Craft Tips

• When making this straw blowing fireworks craft you will need any straw. A wider one makes the blowing process easier for children but any straw should do. We just took out the short hard plastic one from one of our water bottles.
• This project is great for kids of all ages. You will need to show younger children what to do and how to aim their straws so that the fireworks spread as desired. Older children may understand this quickly but younger children may take more time.
• We made our fireworks red and blue to go with the 4th of July theme but you can use any watercolor paints if desired. You can also mix colors by putting the wet paint dot in the middle each time and blowing whichever color outward. Do this multiple times with different colors.
• You can choose to use either watercolor paints or you can use acrylic paints. You will need to dilute acrylic paint with a bit of water to help ensure that it will blow across the paper better. This is the way we have done it in the photos shown.

Straw Blowing Painted Fireworks Craft for Kids

Materials

• Construction Paper or Cardstock (some sort of thicker paper)
• Watercolor paints OR Acrylic paints with water
• A straw
• Paintbrush
• Glitter (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine a large squirt of acrylic paint with a very small amount of water (1-2 tbsp of water should be plenty) and stir them together.
2. Dip your paintbrush in the acrylic paint and water mixture. Dab your paintbrush onto the cardstock paper so there is a wet dot of paint.
3. Position your straw next to the dot of paint and blow to the side to extend the arms of the firework.
4. Redip your paint in the colored water again and put another wet dot in the middle of the same firework right on the previous dot.
5. Turn your paper and position your straw to blow the water paint mixture in the opposite direction.
6. Continue this process with more wet dots, turning the paper, and blowing again to complete your firework.
7. Before it dries, pour glitter on top if desired.
8. Continue the process around the paper to make multiple fireworks.
9. Mount the completed project onto another piece of paper if desired.

Additional 4th of July Crafts & Activities

• DIY Party Popper Craft – Make these fun DIY party poppers by wrapping a toilet paper tub with fun festive paper, and adding a balloon on the end. Put in confetti and let it fly!
• Fork Painted Fireworks Craft – These fun fork painted fireworks use a fork and acrylic paint to create fireworks that are bright and sparkly. Great fine motor activity for kids.
• Baking Soda Flag Play Tray – This fun baking soda and vinegar play tray combines a flag shape with fizzy baking soda fun. A great patriotic STEM activity for kids of all ages.