subject: Arts And Crafts - Make A Pinata [print this page] In recent times pinatas have grown very well-known items for children's birthday and Christmas parties. Pinatas have certainly come a far way from the initial pinatas which were clay pots unlike the paper mache structures that are so common today. They are fairly simple to make and can give quite a few hours of entertainment for you and your kids. So if you are up for the challenge of building one, here is all you need to know to make a paper mache pinata on your own.
Required Tools
Newspapers
Large Bowl
Scissors (optional)
Required Materials
Candy
Balloon
Masking tape/clear tape
Flour
Water
Crepe paper and streamers
Paint
String/yarn
Instructions
1. Particularly if you are working along with small children, be sure to cover your work area properly as building a pinata can be a really messy task. Tear or use scissors to cut several strips of newspaper about 1-inch wide and 6-8 inches long and put them aside. Blow up the balloon and put it aside too.
2. Then go on to the paste; in the bowl mix a paste using the water and flour, heat the paste over medium heat for 3-6 minutes. The paste must proceed to thicken but if it is too thick it will not work properly therefore watch it carefully. You want the paste to be thick enough to stay in position without dripping all over the place however, at the same time it has to be pliable.
3. Dip the newspaper strips you made into the paste and cover the balloon with them leaving a small hole around the place where the balloon is tied so that you can deflate the balloon and take it out later on. Apply 3 newspaper layers to the pinata and when it is dry, deflate or pop the balloon and take it out.
4. Then, paint your pinata in bright colors and decorate it with crepe paper, streamers and anything else you want. Finally you need some way to hang your pinata. Punch 4 small holes in the pinata around the hole you left for the balloon and run string/yarn through the holes and tie them together at the top. Now all that is left is to fill the pinata with candy and other treats, stuff or tape the hole shut and your pinata is ready for use.
Tips
When you are gluing the newspapers to the balloon it might be difficult to hold the balloon so put the balloon in a bowl that is covered with plastic wrap to keep it in one position.
Make the surface of the newspapers as level as you can so the pinata is easier to decorate and looks smoother.
Check out a couple of the tutorials available online for tips on making your pinata in different animal shapes.
Use individually wrapped candy to fill the pinata. Although bulk candy may be cheaper and more handy, keep in mind that when the pinata bursts all the candy will spill onto the floor so individually wrapped candy is recommended.
