How to Make a Piñata
Choose a shape for your pinata., Protect your work area., Make the paper mache paste., Prepare your paper mache strips., Inflate your balloon., Apply the paper mache paste to your paper strips., Apply the paper mache to the balloon., Let the pinata...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Choose a shape for your pinata.
Make your pinata whatever you like! The easiest shape to make is an oblong sphere based on a balloon form, but you can make anything you want.
To create a more elaborate shape, tape or glue cardstock and cardboard onto your balloon form.
Traditional pinatas are made with a ceramic pot as the form, but these can be messy and dangerous.
Stick with a pliable form made from paper products. -
Step 2: Protect your work area.
Making your pinata has the potential to get a little messy, so make sure you give yourself plenty of room to work.
Cover your work area with layers of newspaper or a disposable plastic tablecloth.
This will keep your tabletop clean, and make cleanup afterwards a breeze.
Keep yourself clean too by wearing an old shirt or apron as well as latex gloves. , In a bowl, mix 2 cups (473 g) of flour, 2 cups (473 ml) of water, and a tablespoon of salt.
Stir the mixture until it starts to thicken like a batter.
Don't worry about breaking down all the lumps; you want the batter to be relatively smooth but it will likely still have chunks of flour in it. , Tear some newspaper into strips that are about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to
5.1 cm) wide and 6 to 8 inch (15.2 to
20.3 cm) long.
This will make the newspaper lay nice and flat on the balloon.
You will need to prepare many of these strips of paper, so that you have enough to cover your balloon in several layers. , This will form the body of your pinata, so make sure you make it nice and big.
Round balloons are preferable because they will create a larger space for all of the candy.
You may also use a box if you prefer a square shape for your pinata.
Add any additional shapes to make legs, arms, tails, snouts, hats etc, using cardboard, newspaper or construction paper.
Tape these shapes on with masking tape or clear tape. , Dip the strips into your paste and remove any excess paste by running the strips through your pinched fingers or dragging them along the edge of the bowl. , Lay the strips down all over the balloon in a crisscross pattern until the entire balloon is covered.
Leave the knot of the balloon uncovered to make removal of the balloon easier.
Complete this step 3 to 4 times, allowing each layer to dry before adding another. , Once you have finished adding layers of paper mache, let the pinata sit until it is completely dry and has hardened.
How long this will be will depend on many factors, including how thick the paper mache is, and the humidity and temperature of the air.
In general, plan on several days. , Use a single color to smooth out the paper and to create an even surface.
It does not need to be especially well-painted, just enough to cover the paper.
Choose a color that matches the decorations you'll be adding on or to match the animal or character that you're turning your piñata into, as it'll probably show through. , This will give your pinata a more traditional look.
It is also a festive and inexpensive touch.
Cut or tear strips of crepe paper and glue it onto the pinata.
Leave the paper in strips, or bunch it up into small tassle-like balls and glue on. , Once you've gotten the base of crepe paper on, add other neat details to your pinata.
Colorful cupcake liners and brightly colored tissue squares can be added as fringe.
If you made an animal, add googly eyes for a fun look. , If the balloon has not yet popped, go ahead and pop it and remove it.
Since you did not cover the knot of the balloon with your paper mache, you should have a small hole already. , If the candy doesn't fit, cut away at the edge of the hole until it is large enough to pass the candy through. , Tie a string or ribbon to the holes to create a loop.
This will come in handy later when it comes time to hang the pinata. , Start adding in candy, streamers, stickers, confetti, small toys or anything else you like.
Avoid adding any candy that is not wrapped, Toys that might break easily or is also a poor choice. , Glue down some crepe paper on top of the hole, or use masking tape.
The goal is to prevent the filling of the pinata from falling out before you've actually hit it. , Tie another piece of string, ribbon, or rope to the loop you've already made and use this to attach the pinata to whatever you'd like to hang it from. -
Step 3: Make the paper mache paste.
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Step 4: Prepare your paper mache strips.
-
Step 5: Inflate your balloon.
-
Step 6: Apply the paper mache paste to your paper strips.
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Step 7: Apply the paper mache to the balloon.
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Step 8: Let the pinata dry.
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Step 9: Paint the piñata.
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Step 10: Glue crepe paper to the pinata.
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Step 11: Add finishing touches.
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Step 12: Cut a hole for the candy.
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Step 13: Make the hole bigger if needed.
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Step 14: Punch two small holes around the main hole.
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Step 15: Put the goodies in.
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Step 16: Cover the hole.
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Step 17: Hang the pinata.
Detailed Guide
Make your pinata whatever you like! The easiest shape to make is an oblong sphere based on a balloon form, but you can make anything you want.
To create a more elaborate shape, tape or glue cardstock and cardboard onto your balloon form.
Traditional pinatas are made with a ceramic pot as the form, but these can be messy and dangerous.
Stick with a pliable form made from paper products.
Making your pinata has the potential to get a little messy, so make sure you give yourself plenty of room to work.
Cover your work area with layers of newspaper or a disposable plastic tablecloth.
This will keep your tabletop clean, and make cleanup afterwards a breeze.
Keep yourself clean too by wearing an old shirt or apron as well as latex gloves. , In a bowl, mix 2 cups (473 g) of flour, 2 cups (473 ml) of water, and a tablespoon of salt.
Stir the mixture until it starts to thicken like a batter.
Don't worry about breaking down all the lumps; you want the batter to be relatively smooth but it will likely still have chunks of flour in it. , Tear some newspaper into strips that are about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to
5.1 cm) wide and 6 to 8 inch (15.2 to
20.3 cm) long.
This will make the newspaper lay nice and flat on the balloon.
You will need to prepare many of these strips of paper, so that you have enough to cover your balloon in several layers. , This will form the body of your pinata, so make sure you make it nice and big.
Round balloons are preferable because they will create a larger space for all of the candy.
You may also use a box if you prefer a square shape for your pinata.
Add any additional shapes to make legs, arms, tails, snouts, hats etc, using cardboard, newspaper or construction paper.
Tape these shapes on with masking tape or clear tape. , Dip the strips into your paste and remove any excess paste by running the strips through your pinched fingers or dragging them along the edge of the bowl. , Lay the strips down all over the balloon in a crisscross pattern until the entire balloon is covered.
Leave the knot of the balloon uncovered to make removal of the balloon easier.
Complete this step 3 to 4 times, allowing each layer to dry before adding another. , Once you have finished adding layers of paper mache, let the pinata sit until it is completely dry and has hardened.
How long this will be will depend on many factors, including how thick the paper mache is, and the humidity and temperature of the air.
In general, plan on several days. , Use a single color to smooth out the paper and to create an even surface.
It does not need to be especially well-painted, just enough to cover the paper.
Choose a color that matches the decorations you'll be adding on or to match the animal or character that you're turning your piñata into, as it'll probably show through. , This will give your pinata a more traditional look.
It is also a festive and inexpensive touch.
Cut or tear strips of crepe paper and glue it onto the pinata.
Leave the paper in strips, or bunch it up into small tassle-like balls and glue on. , Once you've gotten the base of crepe paper on, add other neat details to your pinata.
Colorful cupcake liners and brightly colored tissue squares can be added as fringe.
If you made an animal, add googly eyes for a fun look. , If the balloon has not yet popped, go ahead and pop it and remove it.
Since you did not cover the knot of the balloon with your paper mache, you should have a small hole already. , If the candy doesn't fit, cut away at the edge of the hole until it is large enough to pass the candy through. , Tie a string or ribbon to the holes to create a loop.
This will come in handy later when it comes time to hang the pinata. , Start adding in candy, streamers, stickers, confetti, small toys or anything else you like.
Avoid adding any candy that is not wrapped, Toys that might break easily or is also a poor choice. , Glue down some crepe paper on top of the hole, or use masking tape.
The goal is to prevent the filling of the pinata from falling out before you've actually hit it. , Tie another piece of string, ribbon, or rope to the loop you've already made and use this to attach the pinata to whatever you'd like to hang it from.
About the Author
Julie Ford
Committed to making hobbies accessible and understandable for everyone.
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