How to Make a Firetruck Pinata

Piñatas are amazingly fun for kids of all ages and surprisingly simple to make. They require some creativity, some simple supplies and patience. A fire truck piñata is essentially a rectangle and a square, so you likely have the basics for it at home already.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a rectangular shaped box for the truck
• a smaller, square shaped box for the cab
• newspaper
• construction paper for wheels, windows and other details
• a pair of scissor
• aluminum foil
• white glue
• a disposable container
• a string
• tissue paper or acrylic craft paints for decorating

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.

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.

3. Cover your work surface with sheets of newspaper so you don't make a mess of the table.

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   A firetruck is essentially a rectangular shaped box with a smaller square box for the cab. Place your first box (the larger one) 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).

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 larger 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.

6. The smaller box (the cab part of the truck) can be covered in newspaper strips dipped in glue. You can skip the foil step because we aren't going to be removing the box from this mold. Work slowly and get a layer or two on all sides of this box, leaving no spaces uncovered.

7. When you have reached your desired number of layers on the larger box and it 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.

8. Now we will begin covering the bottom of the larger box, and close the opening. 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.

9. Once you have the bottom of your large piece sealed up except for your filling hole, and both box shapes are dry, attach them to each other with pieces of tape. Then further secure them by using strips of newspaper dipped in glue.

10. Continue adding layers of paper strips over the entire surface of both boxes and let them 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. Make sure you don't seal up your filling hole just yet.

11. 
     

    Filling the pinata. When the pinata is covered to your liking and and dry, it's time to fill the pinata. Candy, chocolates and party favors make great additions to your pinata.

12. Add a layer or two of newspaper strips over the entrance hole after you have filled the pinata to seal it shut so nothing falls out.

13. 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.

14. Add a few layers of newspaper over the string and boxes to finish it off.

15. 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 wheels, windows and doors). If you wish to have a ladder for your truck, go to a pet store and purchase a parrot ladder or make your own using dowel rods.

Tips & Warnings

• It's best to let the pinata dry completely in between layers so you don't end up with a big blob of glue soaked paper.
• Work in a room with a ceiling fan to speed drying time.
• Make sure your hole is big enough to fill your pinata.
• Use a fan to dry things faster if you wish to speed the process up.
• Add a small amount of salt to the glue/water mixture to preserve the pinata for long term.