How to Make a Piñata Treasure Chest

A piñata is a traditional party game that can add to the theme of your party. Making a piñata can be a fun way to prepare for your upcoming party. For a pirate theme party, create a piñata that is shaped like a treasure chest and filled with pirate loot.

Things You'll Need

• Marker
• 260 Q balloons
• Measuring tape
• Flour
• Water
• Newspaper
• Paint
• Masking tape
• Knife
• String
• Treasure

Instructions

Make a Treasure Chest Piñata Frame

1. Blow up the balloons. You need 3 balloons that are 36 inches long, 4 balloons that are 16 inches long and 4 balloons that are 10 inches long.

2. Make the frame. Make 2 rectangles by connecting 2 16-inch balloons and 2 10-inch balloons. Stack the rectangles on top of each other.

3. Make the arch of your treasure chest. Measure 12 inches from each edge of the 36-inch balloon and mark. Insert the marked 36-inch balloon into the rectangles at the 90 degree angle formed by 1 10-inch balloon and 1 16-inch balloon. Arch the 36-inch balloon across the rectangle along the 10-inch side. Slide the top rectangle up to the marks and secure it to the 36-inch balloon. Repeat this process on the other side of the rectangles.

4. Support the middle. Measure 8 inches along the 16-inch balloons and mark. Take your third 36-inch balloon and arch it across the rectangles securing it to the marks.

Paper Mache the Piñata Treasure Chest

1. Prepare to paper mache. Mix 2 cups flour with 3 cups of water to create the paste. The paste needs to be smooth, not chunky. Next, cut or tear the newspaper into long strips that are ¾- to 1-inch thick.

2. Paper mache the frame. Take a strip of newspaper and dip it into the paste. Then spread the strip across the piñata frame. You need to continue to do this until you have completely covered your piñata frame with one layer of newspaper strips. To paper mache the bottom of your piñata you need to rotate the piñata onto its side and cover the bottom with strips.

3. Let the paper mache dry completely before you can add additional layers to the piñata. If you are in a hurry, you can use a blow dryer to help dry the paper mache faster.

4. Add additional layers. Repeat steps 1 to 3 until you have at least 3 layers of paper mache. Adding more layers makes your piñata stronger and more resistant to the hits it takes.

Finish the Treasure Chest Piñata

1. Paint your piñata once the final layer of the paper mache is dry. You should have the rough outline of a treasure chest, but you need to paint the piñata to look like a treasure chest.

2. Add your treasure. You need to cut an opening in the top of the treasure chest. You can do this by cutting a 3-sided flap. Pull the flap up and fill the piñata with your treasure. Some party stores sell bags of piñata filler.

3. Thread your piñata. Poke 2 holes in the top of your piñata. Thread a piece of string through the 2 holes and tie it in a loop. Tie the loop to another piece of string if you want to adjust the height of the piñata.

4. Finish the piñata. The final step is to close the top flap. Secure it with a tape to keep it from popping open. It may be necessary to touch up the paint.

Tips & Warnings

• You can secure the balloons using masking tape.