How to Make a Figure Pinata
Creating your own pinata is a simple way to tailor the design to your child's interests. A budding zoologist can have a giraffe shape, a young rider can have hers in the shape of a horse, or a Babar fan can have an elephant with a crown. The basic building blocks---balloons and cardboard tubes---can be transformed into any creature with just a little imagination. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Balloons
- String
- Newspaper
- 2 cups flour
- 3 cups water
- Pen
- Cardboard tubes
- Masking tape
- Pin
- Utility knife
- Paint
- Crepe paper
- Glue
- Twine
Instructions
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Blow up a large balloon to serve as the body for your pinata. Leave a little slack in your balloon so it does not pop too easily. Tie a knot in it to keep the air from coming out. Blow up a second smaller balloon to serve as the head. Tie a knot in it to keep the air from coming out. Wrap string around both knots and tie the balloons tightly together.
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2
Cut newspaper into long strips, each about 1 inch thick. Mix together 2 cups flour and 3 cups water in a large bowl. Dip the newspaper strips in the flour and water mixture so the entire strip is covered in it. Carefully spread the strips on each balloon, using your fingers to smooth out any wrinkles. Cover both balloons completely with the newspaper strips. Allow to dry overnight.
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3
Draw a 2-inch square on the larger balloon. Add a second layer of newspaper strips everywhere on both balloons except in the marked-off square. Allow to dry overnight.
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4
Use masking tape to attach four empty paper-towel rolls to the larger of the two balloons. The rolls will serve as the limbs of the animal. Mark the 2-inch square again. Cover the entire figure---head, limbs and body---in the newspaper strips, except for the marked square. Allow to dry.
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5
Apply a fourth coat of newspaper strips to the entire body, except for the marked-off square. Allow to dry.
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Push a pin through the square to pop the balloon. Use a utility knife to cut out three sides of the square. Open it up like a flap. Remove the popped balloon.
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7
Paint the pinata accordingly. Use a picture of the animal you are depicting as a guide. Use hot glue to attach pieces of crepe paper as the tail or the mane if you are making a horse or zebra pinata.
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8
Punch two small holes two inches apart at the top of the pinata's body, halfway between the head and the tail. Cut a 2-foot long piece of thick twine. Feed the twine in one of the holes, through the pinata and out the other hole. Pull the two ends of the twine evenly. This is the twine you will use to tie the pinata to a branch or pole during the party.
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Open the flap and fill with candy or small toys. Use tape the same color as the paint on the body to close it back up again. Your pinata is now ready for the party.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit balloons image by miscallito from Fotolia.com
