Piñatas are one of the most fun elements in traditional Mexican celebrations, which is something to be said as there are so many games and activities to be enjoyed. Filled with treats and presents, the person breaking the piñata is usually blindfolded, gently spun three times and allowed to whack at it as fast as they can until all the goodies spill out. This sounds like a great game for kids, but it would be hard to find an adult who wouldn't want to get involved just as much.
To make them at home we have an easy and effective method, so read this OneHowTo.com article on How to Make a Piñata with Balloons and get the ball rolling on some fun.
To make your piñata you will need the following materials: newspaper, balloons, a pin or sharp pen, glue (or water and flour), decorative paper and goodies to fill the piñata.
Locate a work area that is clean and free from clutter and set out all the materials.
Cut the newspaper into small pieces. You can make long strips with scissors as this is a good way to stick them to your balloon evenly.
Blow up the balloon.Bear in mind that the more you inflate the balloon the larger the piñata will be and the more newspaper you will need to cover it. Also, if it is too inflated it is likely to pop when you don't want it to which can provide a messy lesson to learn.
If you want to create an animal or more complicated design, you can use lolly sticks to create a structure and stretch newspaper between them. You can even use paper cones or cups to make one of the classic Mexican style piñatas like the one pictured underneath. However, this is quite advanced, so we recommend you try it the easy way with the balloon first and get more creative once you've mastered it.
Place the balloon in a cup or dish as a holder.
Prepare the adhesive material. Some people use white PVA glue whilst other prefer a home made adhesive made from mixing flour and water, commonly known used as wallpaper paste.
Dip the strips into the solution that you have prepared and lay them over the balloon. You have to cover the entire surface.
Leave your piñata to dry overnight.
The next day it will be dry and hard. If the balloon hasn't deflated, stick a pin into it to pop it before you then paint and decorate it. Do not forget to make a hole to fill it with whatever you like. If your piñata is for adults, check out our article on How to Fill a Piñata for Adults.
You must also make a couple of smaller holes on top (you can use a screwdriver or a sharp object to do this) to attach the strings to hang it.
In terms of decoration you can let your imagination run wild. You can paint it in fun colours, glue on tassels or cover it with decorated paper.
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