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How to Make a Pinata (Piñata)
Even if you are not very craft minded, it is very easy to make a pinata and it requires only the minimal of creative skills. Get the kids to help you but be prepared for some mess!
Coloured lengths of crepe paper (cut into 5 cm wide strips and approximately 40-50 cm long
Poster paints and brush
Sweets, trinkets
-- Make a Pinata --
How to Make a Pinata
NOTE: Make a Piñata at least a week in advance of the party in order to allow it to dry out completely.
Tear the newspaper into strips, roughly 3 cm wide and 20 cm long
Using the bowl, make the papier maché or make up the glue according to the manufacturer's instructions
Blow up and tie the balloon
Dip individual strips of newspaper into the glue and then apply the strips in a roughly even layer all over the balloon, overlapping each strip slightly. The strips can be laid horizontally and vertically which adds to the strength of the Piñata. Make sure to leave the balloon knot exposed.
Once you have done three layers of papier maché (2 for the pre-schoolers), drape one piece of string over the top and down the sides of the balloon. Both ends of the string should extend beyond the knotted end of the balloon by approximately 30 cms. Repeat this process with the second piece of string but this time lay it at right angles to the first piece.
Cover the balloon and strings with 1-3 more layers of papier maché. Make sure that you don't papier maché the strings right to the top of the balloon as you will need to cut a 7-cm hole later and you don't want to cut the strings. Aim to do about 3-6 layers in total. The more layers you do, the harder the Pinata is to break so only do 3 layers for the pre-schoolers.
Leave the papier maché to dry completely. This may take from 2-5 days depending on the environment. The best place is your airing cupboard if you have one.
Once the Pinata is completely dry, burst the balloon with the pin. Then using the craft knife carefully cut out a hole from the top (the end where the balloon's knot was) about 7-cm in diameter. Don't cut the circle completely off, as you will need it to recover the hole later on.
Fill the Pinata with sweets and trinkets and then close the hole over. Secure the circle lid with either masking tape of a couple of strips of papier maché
Now comes the fun bit whereby you can let your imagination run wild. Paint the Pinata in vibrant bright colours and patterns and then glue on the strips of coloured crepe paper so that they hang down from the Pinata
