How to Make a Paper Mache Pinata

Making a pinata for a party can be a special way to celebrate and entertain guests. Although pinatas were once a Mexican and Chinese tradition, pinatas are gaining popularity in other areas as well. Usually, pinatas are made from clay, straw or paper mache. For this article, we will show you how to make a paper mache pinata. Cover your work surface well to protect against any paper mache paste.

To make a pinata, you will need:
*newspaper strips (1-2 inches wide and about 7 inches long)
*paper mache paste (a mixture of equal parts flour and water or two parts white glue and one part water)
*a large inflated balloon (inflate the balloon until full and tie)
*yarn, rope or heavy ribbon

Tear the newspaper into strips. Avoid cutting the newspaper with scissors because the rougher edges help it to adhere better. Tie a piece of yarn, rope or heavy ribbon to the tied end of the balloon that will later be used for hanging the pinata. Place the pinata in a bowl with the tied side up. Dip each newspaper strip into the paper mache paste and make sure it is covered well. Put the newspaper strips onto the balloon and press down. Continue with the rest of the newspaper strips and overlap them. You should apply two to three layers of coated newspaper strips for added stability. Coat the entire balloon, but make sure that you leave a small opening at the bottom of the balloon to add candy and small prizes to later.

Once you have finished adding the newspaper strips, allow the pinata to thoroughly dry for atleast one day. Depending on how wet the newspaper strips were, it may take longer to dry completely. Poke a hole into the bottom of the pinata and pop the balloon once the strips have thoroughly dried.

You are then able to decorate the pinata with paint, tissue paper, markers or whatever else you would like to add. Streamers often make nice finishing touches. Cover the hole at the bottom with cardboard once the candy and prizes have been added to the inside of the pinata. You can cover a baseball bat with wrapping paper to make a nice pinata hitter for the special day.