Easy Pinata Instructions

Made from papier-mache, you can make a pinata in all sorts of shapes such as animals and birds and even cartoon characters!

Pinatas are lots of fun to make and will provide HUGE amounts of entertainment for your child's party.

Kids LOVE the excitement of batting at the pinata until it breaks open and all the goodies spill out, it’s like a SECRET treasure!

Use these pinata instructions as a basic guide, add lots of IMAGINATION and see what amazing pinata creations YOU can invent!

What you’ll need:

• A large round balloon
  
• Old newspapers
  
• Flour and water paste
  
• Scissors
  
• Tape (regular or masking)
  
• Thin cardboard
  
• Crayons, markers, poster paint
  
• Tissue paper or crepe paper
  
• String or yarn
  
• Goodies to fill the pinata – sweets, candy or items such as small toys or puzzles work best.

Instructions

1. Spread an old plastic sheet or some newspapers over the area you’re working on or better still if it’s a fine day (best if it’s not too windy!) take the whole project outside into the back yard.

2. Blow up the balloon and tie the end securely. Tear the newspapers into strips about one inch wide and six inches long. Don’t be tempted to neatly cut the edges, papier-mache produces a much better result if strips are torn roughly, it makes the paper lie flatter.

3. Use an old bowl or bucket and mix the flour with enough cold water to make a thick paste. Dip the newspaper strips into the glue and stick them onto the balloon. Keep going until the balloon is well covered. Make sure you leave a small hole at the top so you’ll be able to remove the balloon once the pinata is dry and also have a place to fill the pinata! Leave to dry.

4. Add two more layers of paper and glue (drying inbetween) until the papier-mache is nice and thick. Leave to dry. When it feels dry to the touch wrap the balloon with the string or yarn (this layer kind of holds it all together when the kids are belting it!) add another two layers of paper and glue and leave to dry for another day.

5. Remove the balloon!

   You can tape pieces of cardboard to the pinata and cover with more papier-mache to build up the shape such as a fish or bird or leave it round like a ball.

6. Once your pinata is completely dry fill it with whatever goodies you have chosen and cover the hole with a few more layers of paper.

Pinata instructions for painting and decorating

Once you’re happy with the shape of your pinata it’s time to decorate!

• Paint your pinata with the poster paint in nice bright colors and use the markers if you wish. Glue streamers made from crepe paper to the outside of your pinata, start from the bottom and layer them overlapping as you go.

• On the day of the party hang the pinata from a tree or the ceiling and get set to have some fun!

As another option write your pinata instructions up on to a piece of card, grab all the supplies you'll need and put them together in a suitable container (choose something that's big enough to store everything in the one place.)

Add this to your gift basket ideas when making gift baskets for children that love crafts. The kids will be extremely proud of their creations and the make a pinata project will keep them entertained for hours!

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