How to Make a Buzz Lightyear Pinata
Childhood birthdays and celebrations can be important milestones. But for parents on a tight budget, funding these festivities can be quite a challenge. Making homemade paper mache pinatas is one way to reduce costs while also involving the child in party preparations. When a child has a favorite character such as Buzz Lightyear, designing a custom pinata that features this feisty cartoon hero is surprisingly simple.
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Things You'll Need
- Three oblong balloons
- Masking tape
- Newspaper
- Scissors
- Flour
- Water
- Black permanent marker
- Acrylic craft paint
- Wrapped candy
- 3 yards of string
Instructions
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Creating the Pinata
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1
Make balloon structure. The balloons will supply the basic framework of the pinata. Inflate balloons according to desired size using a small balloon for the head, a larger balloon for the shoulders and arms and a lengthwise balloon for the character's legs. Attach balloons together with masking tape. Tape string to the top of the structure.
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2
Cover balloons with paper mache material. Children love to help with this step. Cut newspaper into 2-inch by 6-inch strips. Dip strips into a paste made of two parts water and one part flour and skim off excess paste with fingers. Cover the entire balloon framework with one layer of newspaper strips and allow to dry for about 24 hours. When dry, add another layer and allow to dry for 24 hours.
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3
Cut hole in back of dried pinata and pop balloons. Pull remains of popped balloons out of center of pinata.
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4
Fill pinata with wrapped candy.
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5
Patch hole with paper mache and allow to dry.
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6
Draw details of Buzz Lightyear character with marker. Fill in colors with craft paint and allow paint to dry.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For a simpler pinata, use one round balloon to create a basic representation of the character's head.
This is a very messy project so it should be done outside, or in a garage or basement if at all possible.
