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How to make
a Pinata |
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Inflate a rubber balloon. This will form the body of your pinata, so
inflate it to the size you would like your pinata to be. A round balloon is best. You can
also use pre-shaped balloons such as those formed like an animal.
Protect your work area. Lay down newspapers. This is a messy job!
Fill a bowl with flour. Add water until you have a thick mixture, the consistency of
wallpaper paste. This is your "glue" for pasting together the newspaper pieces.
Tear some newspaper into strips. Dip these strips into the flour glue to make paper-mache.
Make sure the newspaper is saturated, but not dripping, and lay down strips all over the
balloon until it is completely covered in a thick layer of paper-mache. You can add
several layers if you'd like. However, don't lay it too thickly or the pinata will be too
difficult to break!
Let the balloon dry. Let it dry until it is stiff and no longer wet or sticky to the
touch.
Decide on what you are going to make your pinata into. Ideas include making an animal, a
character, a shape etc.
Basic painted homemade pinata:
Paint your pinata a single color to smooth out the paper and to create an even surface. It
doesn't need to be especially well-painted, just enough to cover the paper. However, you
might choose a color that matches the crepe paper you'll be adding on or to match the
animal or character that you're turning your pinata into, as it'll probably show through.
Glue colorful crepe paper onto the outside of the pinata to decorate it. If you want your
pinata to look more traditional, cut out long, wide strips of crepe paper, glue them onto
the pinata along one long edge, and cut fringe along the opposite edge. You could also add
googly eyes or painted eyes, a nose, a mouth, etc.
Using a serrated knife, cut a rectangular flap in one side of the balloon. Fill the pinata
with candy, confetti, and/or small toys, and then tape the flap shut. At this piont you
can also pull out the balloon from inside. (Or what you can peel away from the hardened
paper without messing up the pinata.
You can tape a string to the top of the pinata in order to hang it, but this is not very
secure; if you want the pinata to stay up longer, punch two holes in the pinata and pass
the string through the holes. For extra reinforcement, pass the string through a plastic
lid from a coffee can or use a cardboard tube from an aluminum foil roll.
Don't limit your decorations to crepe paper! Feathers, glitter, and fake flowers all make
festive decorations for a pinata.
Fill the pinata with individually wrapped pieces of candy. Bulk candy may be cheaper, but
keep in mind that the contents of the pinata will spill all over the floor and kids will
eat them no matter where they have fallen. Buy cellophane and individually wrap bulk
sweets if you choose this option. |
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