Papier-Mâché Baseball Shaped Party Piñata

Are you planning a "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" type of birthday party? Well, don't forget the piñata. Craft a baseball shaped piñata and use a real baseball bat to crack it open. Piñatas are fun to make and a baseball shaped piñata is easy with the aid of a large balloon. Check with your local flower shop to purchase really big balloons. Treat your child to a fun afternoon of papier-mâché crafting. It is a terrific project to use and recycle old papers. Plan plenty of time days before your party to allow your papier-mâché layers to dry.

Rip your old papers into strips no wider than 1 inch. This project uses lots of paper so be prepared. To put it in perspective, you will be covering the entire balloon with several layers.

Blow up the balloon to the size needed for your baseball shaped piñata. Cut a piece of yarn 1 yard long and tie one end to the knot on the balloon. The yarn will aid in holding the balloon as it dries. Purchase cheap white kids glue for this papier-mâché project and mix it in a bowl with water until it is the thickness of milk.

Lay a sheet of wax paper on your craft table to protect it. Brush the glue mixture onto both sides of the recycled paper strips using a paint brush. Randomly set the strips one at a time all over the balloon until the entire balloon is covered. Clothespin the yarn that you tied to the balloon to your clothesline or similar such location and give the glue and paper time to dry. Repeat with more layers, allowing time to dry in between. The thickness of the baseball shaped piñata is a personal decision, but to ensure its stability to hold candy while suspended, make at least eight thicknesses.

Cut above the knot on the balloon with scissors. This will pop the balloon and allow you a small access to insert your scissors to cut a hole approximately the size of a fist. Save the cut away portion. Remove the balloon from the inside of the baseball piñata. Drill a couple of holes in the opposite end of the balloon and thread clothesline cording through them. Tie a knot to hold. Fill the piñata with all the prizes and goodies. Cover the hole with the cut away portion of the baseball piñata and seal with masking tape.

Paint the piñata using white paint. Any paint will do, you could even use leftover house paint. Cut long half inch strips of red tissue paper and using a baseball as a guide, glue the tissue paper to the baseball shaped piñata to create baseball seams. Cut smaller strips of the red tissue paper and glue crosswise across the seams to create the stitches.