Making a piñata can be great family fun. We will use the traditional design of a donkey for our example of how to make a piñata. Be sure to create your piñata in plenty of time to allow it to dry before whatever celebration you plan to use it for.
CRAFT MATERIALS:
14-inch elongated balloon, inflated (body)
5, 6- inch elongated balloons, inflated (legs and neck)
1 small round balloon (head)
10-inch bowl
One batch papier-mâché paste
2 two-page spread each of regular newspaper and the comic pages
32-oz. plastic yogurt container, cut in half horizontally
String
Hot Glue stick and gun
10 sheets of tissue paper in bright colors, cut into 3 1/2-inch squares
4 lbs. of individually wrapped candies
Time needed: Afternoon or Evening
1. Place the body balloon in a 10-inch bowl. Fold the spread of newspaper in half and then in half again.
- Tear (don't cut) 1 1/2-inch-wide strips so they have a slightly rough edge (tearing along a straight edge works well). The rough edges help make a smooth overall surface.
- Drag a strip of newspaper through the papier-mâché paste, wipe off any excess with your fingers, and place it at an angle on the balloon.
- Place the second strip so that it slightly overlaps the first. Continue until the balloon has been covered with two to three layers of paper strips--except for a 2-inch square at the top, through which the candy will go.
- Give the papier-mâché up to 24 hours to dry before adding your candy.
2, Repeat the same process for the legs, neck and head of the piñata.
- Using what paper and past you have left, form ears to attach to the head of your donkey piñata.
- After finishing these parts and allowing them 24 hours to dry, use hot glue to attach the parts to the appropriate areas.
3. Take your pencil, wrap a square of tissue paper around the eraser end, gently twisting it slightly and dip it into glue. Place the glued portion of the tissue on the donkey piñata. Use your imagination to design a saddle, place eyes, nose and other details on the piñata.
4. Once the glue has dried and you are sure that you will not damage the piñata by handling it, pop the balloon inside and fill with candy. Cover the hole with a few squares of tissue paper and decorate as you did the rest of the piñata.
5. You can punch two holes in the piñata at the spine area of the donkey but it will hang more secure and be less likely to break before you want it to if you tie the thread around the front and back of the body to suspend it.
This article was custom created by the writers at InspiredWordArt.com
