How to Break a Piñata

Believe it or not, piñatas are not originally from Mexico. There roots in are in the Orient. When the “New World” was being conquered, European settlers brought the custom, which found its way to Europe via travels to the Far East. The piñata took hold in Mexico and its custom of birthday party entertainment has migrated to the United States. Though the piñata has been around a long time, how to break it open still baffles some people.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Piñata
• Rope
• Stick or baseball bat

1. Listen. As your sense of sight has been withheld, make use of your ears. What are the other partygoers saying? Sounds of excitement mean you are pretty close to your piñata target.

2. Feel for the piñata with the stick, or other hitting tool. Though some may consider this cheating. If so, they’ll let you know. Once you’ve made contact, start bashing it right away.

3. Concentrate hitting in one area. Hopefully that will be the center of the piñata.

4. Keep listening to the crowd. They’ll point you in the right direction. Sounds of excitement mean you are close. Peals of laughter and mocking mean you are twenty feet away from the piñata and whacking at air with bees surrounding you.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you hear the applause and candy drop, keep pounding the same area. Though you’ll miss out on some of the goodies from the piñata.
• Flailing around doesn’t open the piñata, but it may give another partygoer a concussion.
• Be a good sport and don’t cheat by peeking from under the eye mask.