How to Make a Jack-O-Lantern Pinata

Pinatas add fun to any occasion. Here's a fun, easy idea for a Halloween pinata.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large Balloon
• Newspaper
• Flour
• Water
• Bowl
• Orange acrylic or poster Paint
• Paint brush
• Green and black construction paper
• Wire Coat hanger
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Margarine tub lid or similar piece of plastic.
• Pointed scissors
• Wrapped candies and small toys.
• Orange tissue paper
• Craft Glue

1. Cover your work area with newspaper. Inflate the balloon to desired size.

2. Fill a small bowl with water and add enough flour to make a paste.

3. Tear newspapers into 1 inch strips, about 12 inches long. Dip each strip into paste and remove excess by pulling the strip gently between thumb and index finger. Put each strip on the balloon until it is covered completely. Allow to dry.

4. After pinata is completely dry, repeat step 3 to add another layer. If you add too many layers, the pinata will be very hard to break. Two or three layers is about right.

5. 
   Wire and Flap placement

   Using pointed scissors, cut open a flap on the back of your pumpkin pinata and fill with candy and small toys. Make a loop with the coat hanger wire and poke each end through the top of the pinata and through the margarine tub lid. Using pliers, bend the ends of the wire so that they won't pull out. Close the flap with masking tape.

6. Paint your pinata orange. You can go ahead and add your construction paper Jack-O-Lantern face pieces now and be done, or you can cover your pinata with tissue paper strips for a festive look.

7. 
   tissue paper strips

   To add tissue paper strips, cut strips across the top of tissue paper pieces, about 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide. Cut slits along the long edge of each strip, about 1/2-3/4 inch wide. Using watered down craft glue and a paint brush, paint a strip of glue and apply each strip around the pinata, starting at the bottom and working your way up.

8. 
   Completed Pinata

   make a green tube stem out of construction paper and glue around wire hanging loop. You're done. Party time!

Tips & Warnings

• Use a bowl to hold your creation as it dries.
• Drying your pinata in a warm, airy spot will speed drying.
• You can use this same technique to create basketball, Easter egg, soccer ball, football, etc. pinatas.
• Be sure to plan ahead. This project takes several days to complete.
• Always be careful with wire and cutting tools.

[apalmer]

on 10/25/2009 Nice article and great instructions and tips.

[bmi57]

on 10/20/2007 Loved your article. Thank you.