Things You'll Need:
- a rectangular shaped box
- newspaper
- aluminum foil
- white glue
- a disposable container
- string
- a pair of scissor
- tape
- a sheet of poster board
- tissue paper or acrylic craft paints for decorating
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Step 1
Start by tearing your newspaper into strips. Strips about one inch wide are a good start. Overall, having strips in varying widths and lengths will make your piñata stronger.
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Step 2
Mix your glue mixture. You want equal parts glue and water. You can mix the glue and water by swishing gently with your fingers.
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Step 3
Cover your work surface with sheets of newspaper so you don't make a mess of the table.
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Step 4
A treasure chest is essentially a rectangular shaped base with a domed top. We will begin with making our base. Place your box on the table in front of you and cover the top and sides with a layer of aluminum foil. Overlap around the corners to get a strong mold. Do not cover the bottom (the side the box is resting on).
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Step 5
Dip strips of newspaper into your glue/water mixture and use your fingers to squeegee off the excess glue. Drape the strips across the box in varying directions, being careful not to disturb the aluminum foil. Put the first few strips horizontally, followed by vertically for the next few. This will give your pinata extra strength. Once a full layer is on the box, set it aside to dry.
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Step 6
Continue adding layers of paper strips over the entire surface and letting it dry in between layers, until you reach your desired thickness. Four or five layers is a good thickness for younger kids. Older kids may require more if you want the pinata to last a while.
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Step 7
When you have reached your desired number of layers and the pinata is dry, turn it over to expose the bottom of the box (the side that is not covered in newspaper yet). Carefully work the box out of the paper shell you have created.
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Step 8
Now we will begin covering the open side. Using long strips of paper, work from side to side. Don't get your paper strips too wet or they will sag and not form a good surface. Leave a small opening for filling the pinata. This will take the same number of layers you have on the rest of the pinata. Work slowly and let it dry in between layers of newspaper.
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Step 9
Filling the pinata. When the side is covered to your liking and and dry, it's time to fill the pinata. In addition to the normal candy, gold foil covered coins, gaudy party favor rings and other pirate treasures are great additions to the pinata.
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Step 10
Add a layer or two of newspaper strips over the entrance hole when you have filled the pinata to seal it shut so nothing falls out.
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Step 11
Wrap the string around the box so that it hangs the way you wish. Tie it securely and make sure you have enough length to hang your pinata.
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Step 12
Now it's time to add on the domed top to your treasure chest. Cut a sheet of poster board to fit as a top, and two side pieces as well. Your top piece will be a rectangle the width of your base and your side pieces will look similar an oval cut in half. You'll have to fit your top and sides to the base, trimming to get a good fit. When you are satisfied with the fit, tape your top together. Poke a hole in your domed top so your pinata hangs as you wish, and feed your hanging string through. Then, carefully take your domed top to the base.
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Step 13
Cover your domed top with a few layers of newspaper, taking care that your newspaper isn't saturated with glue. If it's too wet your poster board will become soaked and mushy and sink. Let your pinata dry thoroughly in between layers.
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Step 14
When the pinata is completely dry, begin decorating. If you are using tissue, cover the pinata with white computer paper first to prevent newsprint bleed through. If you are painting, use light layers of paint until you reach the coverage you wish. Details can be added on with construction paper (such as metal bands and a lock mechanism).
