How to Make a Mexican Pinata

Use crepe paper to add color to your pinata.

A Mexican pinata is a creative, educational craft project that your kids will enjoy doing with you -- especially since it involves candy. The first Mexican pinatas were clay pots that were filled with sweets and treats. Now, instead of using clay pots, pinatas are made with paper mache. This article will explain how to make a Mexican pinata with paper mache.

Things You'll Need

• Glue stick
• Candy
• Large bowl
• Strong string
• Typing paper
• Colored crepe paper
• Balloon
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups flour
• Masking tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Blend the flour and water in a large bowl until it is thick and smooth, with no lumps, to make the paper mache paste.

2. Tear the typing paper into long strips and blow up the balloon. You can use almost any kind of paper you want, like newspaper, writing paper or typing paper.

3. Soak the strips. Put a strip of paper in the bowl of paste, making sure that both sides are wet. Place the strips of paper on the balloon, horizontally and up and down, leaving a 2-inch hole. Make two layers for now.

4. Place the string. Set one end of a strong string on one side of the papered balloon and place a wet strip over it. Do the same to the other end of the string and continue to paste strips to the balloons for another layer. Let sit for a couple of days until dry.

5. Fill with candy. Pop the balloon and gently pull it out. Pour in candy and put a piece of tape over the hole. You can fill it with small toys and novelty items too. Then paste a couple of strips of newspaper over the tape. Let dry for one day.

6. Decorate the Mexican pinata. You can either paint your Mexican pinata or go straight to gluing the crepe paper on it or do both. You can also decorate the pinata with beads or glitter. Let your imagination run wild. Cut the crepe paper in 3-inch strips and cut the ends into long fringes. Glue one piece of crepe paper on the pinata, leaving the fringe end loose. Glue more crepe paper strips on the pinata, making sure that they overlap each other and leaving the fringe ends loose. Let dry completely and then bust it open

Tips & Warnings

• You can make your pinata into any shape you want.

• Don't add too many layers or the pinata may be difficult to break.