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How to Make a Piñata for Your Children’s
Next Party
Piñatas add such
fun to birthday parties and other celebrations and they
are fun to make too! Make this into a learning experience
by taking the time to discuss the cultural background
of this craft. Plan a trip to your local library to
view pictures in their cultural context or do some internet
research. The craft will have so much more meaning as
a result.
You might be interested to know that
there is a debate about where the piñata originates.
While most people believe it descends from native Mexicans
before the arrival of the Spanish in South America,
there are others who believe that it actually comes
from sixteenth century Italy or possibly even China
around the time of Marco Polo. The mystery surrounding
its origin may make the craft all the more appealing
for certain youngsters and there's a chance it may even
stimulate an interest in further reading!
Here's a simple way to make a piñata:
At least two days prior to the big event, gather all
the necessary materials: a round balloon, old newspapers
torn into strips 1 inch wide and 6 inches long, school
glue poured into a plastic bowl, scissors, tape, crayons
or markers, tissue paper or construction paper, string
or yarn, a craft knife and plenty of candy and small
prizes to fill the piñata.
You might want to do this project outdoors
or in the garage as it’s very messy. Whether indoors
or out, clean-up is made easier by working on old newspapers
spread around the workspace. A little advance preparation
will definitely save you clean-up time later. Children
should wear aprons or old large shirts over their clothes.
Here comes the fun part – blow
up the balloon and secure it with a knot. Dip the newspaper
strips into the bowl of glue and put them all over the
balloon in one layer. Let dry. Repeat this process twice.
It takes time for it to dry to be patient! If you are
doing this with young children you might want to have
them cut up or tear more strips of newspaper while they
wait. It’s easiest just to make a simple round
shape that they can decorate as their imaginations inspire
them!
Cut a hole on the top of the oval and
save the cut out piece. Pop the balloon and take it
out. Cut two small holes on either side of the opening.
Thread a string through them and tie a knot in the end
and you’ll be able to hang your creation from the
ceiling later.
Decorate with pieces of colorful tissue
paper, construction paper and paint. You can also try
adding other things like buttons, paper egg cartons
cut up, streamers. The possibilities are limited only
to what is able to be glued securely onto the form.
Fill the piñata with goodies
and tape the saved piece back over the hole. You’re
ready to play the piñata game!
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