How to Make a Paper Mache Pinata
Children love swinging at a pinata until they are covered in a shower of candy or other prizes. The directions that follow let you make an inexpensive pinata for a birthday party. The basic ball-shape can be painted and decorated to look like the sun, the world, or a clown's face, perfect for your child's next birthday party or a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 2 mixing bowls, the same size
- Newspaper, torn in 1 inch by 12 inch strips
- Wheat-paste, school-glue, or paper mache paste
- Bowl or pan for glue
- Newspapers or plastic covering for your work-surface
- Plastic food wrap
- 1-1 1/2 inch-wide masking tape
- Tempera paint
- 3 crepe-paper party streamers (all one color or
- a variety)
- Glitter, if desired
- Candy or other prizes for pinata
- Ice-pick, awl or other sharp-pointed tool
- String or ribbon, to hang pinata
- Cardboard tubes or plastic bat to break pinata
Instructions
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1
Put bowls upside down on your covered work-space, with a sheet of plastic wrap under each bowl.
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2
Dip newspaper strips in glue or paste and lay over bowls until they are completely covered. Usually two layers of strips make a good pinata (paper mache is always messy, so don't worry if it is!). Leave the bowls to dry all day or overnight.
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3
Gently pry dry paper mache off mixing bowls, poke a hole in the rim of each paper-mache "bowl" and thread string or ribbon through the holes (this will help you hang your finished pinata).
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4
Fill one paper-mache "bowl" with candy or treats and top with the other "bowl." Using masking-tape, secure "bowls" to make a ball-shape (do not tape over string or ribbon).
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5
Cover paper mache and tape with paint or crepe paper dipped in more glue. Let it dry and decorate it as you wish.
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6
Using more ribbon or string, hang your pinata just out of reach. Provide cardboard tubes or plastic bat, and stand back!
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Tips & Warnings
If breaking a pinata is a much-loved family tradition, you may wish to look for commercially-made pinatas at party-goods stores. Remember, though, that this activity has become very popular, so commercial pinatas have become more expensive than they used to be.
Experiment with your basic design. Adding cones or tubes of paper or cardboard and other household "junk" can turn your sun into a whole zoo of fun animals.
Be careful in your choice of pinata-hitters, so that your party-guests don't hurt each other. Besides, a hitter that breaks the pinata right away shortens the fun!
