In recent times pinatas have become increasingly popular items for children's birthday and Christmas parties.
Pinatas have surely come a far way from the first pinatas which were clay pots unlike the paper mache structures that are so well-known today.
They are fairly easy to create and can provide quite a few hours of entertainment for you and your kids.
As such if you are up for the challenge of making one, here is all you need to know to make a paper mache pinata on your own.
Required Tools Newspapers Large Bowl Scissors (optional) Required Materials Candy Balloon Masking tape/clear tape Flour Water Crepe paper and streamers Paint String/yarn Instructions 1.
Particularly if you are working along with young children, be sure to cover your work area thoroughly because making a pinata can be a very messy endeavor.
Tear or use scissors to cut several strips of newspaper about 1-inch wide and 6-8 inches long and put them aside.
Blow up the balloon and put it aside also.
2.
Then move on to the paste; in the bowl mix a paste using the water and flour, heat the paste over medium heat for 3-6 minutes.
The paste must begin to thicken however, if it is too thick it will not work properly so watch it carefully.
You want the paste to be thick enough to stay in place without dripping all over the place however, at the same time it must be pliable.
3.
Dip the newspaper strips you made into the paste and cover the balloon with them leaving a small hole around the area where the balloon is tied so that you may deflate the balloon and remove it later on.
Apply 3 newspaper layers to the pinata and when it is dry, deflate or pop the balloon and pull it out.
4.
Now, paint your pinata in bright colors and decorate it with crepe paper, streamers and anything else you choose.
Finally you need some way to hang your pinata.
Make 4 small holes in the pinata around the hole you left for the balloon and run string/yarn through the holes and tie them together at the top.
Now all that is left is to fill the pinata with candy and other treats, stuff or tape the hole shut and your pinata is ready for use.
Tips When you are gluing the newspapers to the balloon it might be tricky to hold the balloon so rest the balloon in a bowl that is covered with plastic wrap to keep it in one position.
Make the surface of the newspapers as even as possible so the pinata is easier to decorate and looks smoother.
Check out a few of the tutorials available on the internet for tips on making your pinata in different animal shapes.
Use individually wrapped candy to fill the pinata.
While bulk candy might be cheaper and more handy, keep in mind that when the pinata bursts all the candy will fall onto the floor so individually wrapped candy is best.
Pinatas have surely come a far way from the first pinatas which were clay pots unlike the paper mache structures that are so well-known today.
They are fairly easy to create and can provide quite a few hours of entertainment for you and your kids.
As such if you are up for the challenge of making one, here is all you need to know to make a paper mache pinata on your own.
Required Tools Newspapers Large Bowl Scissors (optional) Required Materials Candy Balloon Masking tape/clear tape Flour Water Crepe paper and streamers Paint String/yarn Instructions 1.
Particularly if you are working along with young children, be sure to cover your work area thoroughly because making a pinata can be a very messy endeavor.
Tear or use scissors to cut several strips of newspaper about 1-inch wide and 6-8 inches long and put them aside.
Blow up the balloon and put it aside also.
2.
Then move on to the paste; in the bowl mix a paste using the water and flour, heat the paste over medium heat for 3-6 minutes.
The paste must begin to thicken however, if it is too thick it will not work properly so watch it carefully.
You want the paste to be thick enough to stay in place without dripping all over the place however, at the same time it must be pliable.
3.
Dip the newspaper strips you made into the paste and cover the balloon with them leaving a small hole around the area where the balloon is tied so that you may deflate the balloon and remove it later on.
Apply 3 newspaper layers to the pinata and when it is dry, deflate or pop the balloon and pull it out.
4.
Now, paint your pinata in bright colors and decorate it with crepe paper, streamers and anything else you choose.
Finally you need some way to hang your pinata.
Make 4 small holes in the pinata around the hole you left for the balloon and run string/yarn through the holes and tie them together at the top.
Now all that is left is to fill the pinata with candy and other treats, stuff or tape the hole shut and your pinata is ready for use.
Tips When you are gluing the newspapers to the balloon it might be tricky to hold the balloon so rest the balloon in a bowl that is covered with plastic wrap to keep it in one position.
Make the surface of the newspapers as even as possible so the pinata is easier to decorate and looks smoother.
Check out a few of the tutorials available on the internet for tips on making your pinata in different animal shapes.
Use individually wrapped candy to fill the pinata.
While bulk candy might be cheaper and more handy, keep in mind that when the pinata bursts all the candy will fall onto the floor so individually wrapped candy is best.