How to Make a Traditional Halloween Pinata

A papier-mache Jack-o-lantern Halloween piñata is easy and fun to make. If kids will be involved in breaking open the piñata, you can make it on your own as a surprise for a kids’ Halloween party, or allow the kids to actually help make it. This eHow article shows how to make a traditional Halloween piñata, along with how to make a second optional version you might prefer to choose.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need old black and white newspaper, orange tissue paper, black tissue paper, white flour, water, a mixing bowl, a saucepan, a sharp knife, a measuring cup, a measuring spoon, white sugar, strong cord to hang the Halloween pinata, duct tape, and either a very large round balloon or a pre-made cardboard box the shape of a round hatbox – both available at craft stores. You’ll also need enough treats and/or trinkets to fill the Halloween piñata. Small pieces of candy are the tradition, such as candy kisses and caramels, but since kids get so much candy for Halloween, anyway, you may instead want to purchase trinkets such as glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls, whistles, spinning tops, pretend rubber insects, miniature plastic animals and plastic jewelry.

2. Prepare the papier-mache. Tear the newspaper into strips an inch or two wide and two to three inches long. Do the same with the orange and black tissue paper. The orange will have to cover the entire Halloween piñata, and the black will only be used for the eyes, nose and mouth, so you won’t need as much of the black. Then make the paste. Mix one half cup of white all purpose flour with two cups of cold water and whisk together. Boil another two cups of water in a saucepan, add the first mixture, then bring to a boil once again. Once it boils, take it off the heat and mix in three tablespoons of plain white sugar. Cool.

3. Cover the Halloween piñata. Either blow up the balloon and tie shut, or tape closed the hat box, and begin dipping newspaper strips into the paste mixture and pressing them onto the balloon or box. Each strip should slightly overlap the other. For the balloon, you’ll need to completely cover, let dry thoroughly (possibly overnight, depends on the air conditions in your work area). then cover again three times. The box only needs one coating of the newspaper, especially working on smoothing out the seams where the top of the box meets the bottom. Once completely dry, cut a small hole in the very top (for the balloon pinata, pop and remove the balloon at this point) and insert the end of the cord which will be used to hang it. Duct tape the cord securely into the top. Then cut another small opening anywhere on the piñata just large enough to put the treats inside. Only cut three sides of the opening and bend it open, don’t completely cut out a hole. Fill with treats or trinkets (or both). Close the flap over the hole, then use more paste and newsprint strips to seal over the hole and the duct tape. When dry, start the process over again using the orange tissue paper. Let it dry between layers and continue the process until the piñata container is bright orange from top to bottom without seeing newsprint underneath the orange.

4. Put on the face of the Halloween piñata. With black tissue paper and the paste mixture, put a face on one or both sides of the pumpkin piñata. Allow to dry completely before hanging and using.

Tips & Warnings

• You can glue long ribbons of orange or orange and black crepe paper from the sides of the Halloween piñata to add flair and fun when the piñata is hung in the breeze or is swinging around from being hit.
• Use extreme caution and adult supervision when blindfolding people who will be swinging hard bats.
• Author disclaims liability and offers article for educational purposes only. Parents are responsible for any activities involving their children. Author’s articles are registered with the national copyright office and protected with Copyscape