How to Make a Cinco De Mayo Pinata

Cinco de Mayo is actually Spanish for the "fifth of May" and the cinco de mayo celebration is a regional holiday held for Chicanos or individuals of Mexican descent to recognize the courage of the Mexican soldiers during the battle fought against Mexican exiles and the French at Puebla, Mexico May 5th, 1862. The 'Battalla de Puebla' or the Battle at Puebla has become a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism and is now celebrated as Cinco De Mayo in Mexico as well as in the United States by both Chicanos AND Americans alike. Children can enjoy learning about and celebrating Cinco De Mayo with adults by making a traditional Fiesta star Pinata to break open on May fifth!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• washable school glue
• water
• large latex balloons
• bowls
• paper birthday hats
• streamers
• candy
• rope
• a bat or wooden broom handle
• parental supervision

1. 
    
   Blow up and tie off your balloon.

   To help your child construct a Fiesta Star Pinata for Cinco De Mayo, first you need to select a large latex balloon, blow it up and tie it off so that it holds air. You will use the balloon as the basic form that the balloon creates for your piñata.

2. 
    
   Dip your paper and cover the balloon completely.

   Next, tear or cut up strips of newspaper or packing paper into 1 to 2 inch wide strips apx 12 inches long. Mix up your paper mache paste by adding 1 bottle of washable school glue to 3 parts water (so one cup of glue to 3 cups of water) and mix thoroughly so that it forms a thin sticky paste. Dip your newspaper or packing paper into the paste and lay on top of the balloon in crisscrossing layers, mashing out as many air bubbles as possible. Slip a safety pin through the bottom flange of the balloon below where you tied the knot so that you can tie a piece of yarn onto the pin and hang up the paper covered balloon to dry for 48 hours.

3. 
    
   Add party hats to make the points to your Fiesta Star.

   Once the first layer of pasted paper is dry; next take 4 cone shaped paper party hats and secure them onto the balloon with a few pieces of tape. Cover the party hats with the same paper and paste process so that the hats are secured onto the balloon form securely and have no holes or seams visible. Leave it hanging and let dry for 48 hours.

4. 
    
   Cinco De Mayo Fiesta Star Pinata.

   Once all is dry; pop the balloon inside if it is not already popped with a pin or a nail inserted into the top end and select paint colors to paint your Fiesta Star Pinata for Cinco De Mayo. Attach streamers or beads for festive decoration. Cut a small hole into the top of the pinata and fill with candy, treats, and money and hang the pinata by a secure rope to a tree branch or secure structure and let the children take turns trying to break it with their wooden broom handle or bat.

5. 
    
   written by mumstheword

   If you found the instructions in this article on how to celebrate Cinco De Mayo by building a Festive Mexican pinata helpful in any way; then please don't forget to post your comments before leaving this page! Thanks so much for reading and rating my work here on ehow!

Tips & Warnings

• parental supervision required
• small parts can pose a choking risk to small children