These were popular in France before the middle of
the 1800s. The idea is to loosely wrap gold or silver
paper around small candies and tie at each end with
ribbon. Two children tug at the ends until the cracker
bursts, scattering the candies on the floor, where
the children scramble to pick them up.
Gift wrapping paper, gold or silver
Small candies, individually wrapped
Self-sticking tape, gold, silver or clear
Brightly colored ribbon, 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Start with about 12 candies and a sheet of paper
10 x 6 inches. Overlap 1/2 inch on the two 10-inch
edges, and hold the edges together with either matching
tape or clear tape. Slip the candies through one end
so they are in the middle. Twist each end of the paper,
3 inches in from each end. Tie at each twist with
ribbon, knotting before tying a bow. Open each end
so it flares outward, and push inward on the twisted
part so the center puffs up. Candies should rattle
inside the puffed center section.
To break the paper crackers, each child holds a twisted
end, then tugs and shakes the cracker until the paper
breaks, spilling the candies.
NOTE: You can adapt these for any occasion during
the year - birthday parties, Easter, Valentine's day,
etc.
