How to make a DIY “Pop - It” Fidget Toy!

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Hey guys, it's Megan!

I recently made a video showing you a few Art/Craft Projects to try when you’re Bored.

My FAVORITE project from that video were these “Pop-It“ inspired keychains.

“Pop-It’s” are marketed as essentially never ending bubble wrap.

These silicone fidget toys feature small circles that can be pushed in and out.

There are a few ways you can make the popping mechanism. I made mine out of craft foam.

Option 1:

Cut a circle from a piece of craft foam.

Cut a “slit” in the craft foam,

and fold it like this to create a wide cone shape.

Use hot glue to stick the foam back together.

Flip it over to the back, and cut off the excess foam on the other side.

Option 2:

Heat up a sheet of craft foam using a hair straightener (you can also use a clothing iron)

This will make the foam more flexible.

Mold the foam over something round. I used an EOS lip balm.

Hold it there for a minute until the foam cools,

and cut out the little “bump” part.

Measure the diameter of your “popping mechanism“.

For the outside of the keychain, I used my Cricut Maker to cut shapes from 2mm chipboard.

If you don’t have access to those supplies, cardboard works just as well! You’ll just have to cut the shapes by hand. Cut out two shapes with a circle the middle. Make the circle a little smaller than your foam piece.

You can make the cardboard into any shape you want. I did a flower for this one.

Next, decorate the cardboard pieces. I used scrapbook paper on mine,

and covered it with some UV resin to be fancy. Totally unnecessary, but it makes it look nice!

You can use paint, craft foam, glitter, etc. - get creative with it!

To assemble the Pop-It, flip one of the cardboard pieces to the back. Put a ring of hot glue around the middle,

then put in the foam piece.

I wanted to make mine into a keychain, so I glued on a small piece of ribbon and folded it over to make a loop.

“Pop” the foam piece so that the bump is facing up. Add another ring of hot glue around it, then put on the second piece of cardboard.

Add some more hot glue around the edges so it sticks together really well.

I didn’t love that the edges of the cardboard were showing, so I disguised them with some more ribbon.

If you’re making yours into a keychain, you can just slip it through the loop.

And that’s it!

These are so cute. I love keychains in general, and key chains that actually DO something are like my favorite thing.

Let me know in the comments - what do YOU think of the "fidget toy" trend?

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