How to Make a Christmas Pinata

Using paper mache and a large balloon, you can make a Christmas piñata that will be a hit at any Children's Christmas party. The process is easy, but does take several days to complete since you need drying time between steps. You should plan to start this project about a week before your Christmas party to make sure you have it done in time. Kids can definitely help out, and will more than likely love to help out on this project.

Materials:

Large Balloon

Large Bowl, and a Medium sized bowl

Strips of newspaper.... as many as you can cut.

Flour

Water

Glue

Green and Red Crepe Paper

Candy

String

Cover your table or work area with newspaper or an old cloth. This is a messy project but fun for the whole family.

Directions

First blow up the balloon and tie it closed. Place the balloon standing up in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the flour and water to make a paste mixture. It should be approximately 2 parts water to 1 part flour.

Take a strip of newspaper, and coat it with the paste mixture.

Lay the newspaper strip on the balloon.

Continue this process until the balloon is completely covered.

You do want to leave a hole at the top of the balloon open and uncovered for putting the candy in later!

Let the balloon dry for a few hours or overnight.

Add another layer of paper when the balloon is dry. Repeat the process. You want to have as many layers as possible in order to get the piñata sturdy. You need to do three to four layers at least.

The next step is to pop the balloon. Remove the balloon.

Then cut two small holes, one on each side of the opening at the top. Thread a string through the two holes to make a loop for hanging your piñata later.

Now the piñata can be decorated.

Cut the crepe paper into festive garlands and glue to the piñata. Try to cover every part of the piñata. You can also use green, red, gold, tissue paper to glue on a pattern. Just put glue on the piñata, then cut a piece of the tissue paper into a square and put the middle part of the square onto the piñata. Do not glue down the ends of the tissue paper, and do not have the ends touch each other. The end result should resemble a Christmas ornament.

Place extra crepe paper, scrunched up, into the bottom of your piñata, then fill up with candy.