A Piñata for any Occasion

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I love making piñatas they are a great activity for kids at any occasion!  I make them out of cardboard boxes that are destined for the recycling fill them with candy, stickers and little toys from the dollar store cover them in papier-mâché and then paint them.  It takes several days to make it from start to finish with the drying times but it is worth it at the end to hear all the laughter and excitement.


Time: 4 hours divided over 3 days, leaving time to dry over night between steps.

Cost: About $10.00 for candy and toys

Materials:
·         Large cardboard box (I use diaper boxes)

·         Small soft cardboard box (I use soft drink cartons)

·         Toys & candy

·         Newspaper

·         String

·         Flour & water

·         Paint

·         Tape

Directions:
Day 1 (2 hours)

1.       Decide what design or character you want the piñata to be and make a rough draft on a piece of paper.  Cut the shape of the piñata out of the large cardboard box.  Cut the smaller box into 3 inch strips.

2.       Tape the strips to the cardboard shape so that it makes a wall all the way around the shape.

3.       Fill the shape with candy and toys.  Cut a piece of newspaper in roughly the same shape and lay it on top of the piñata and tape down the sides. 

4.       Cut a long piece of string that fits around the outside of the piñata and is long enough to hang from the ceiling or tree.  It’s best to make the string longer than needed if you’re not sure where you will hang in from.  Tape the string around the outside of the piñata. 

5.       Tear newspaper into long strips.  Pour flour and water into a container stir well to get rid of lumps.  The mixture should be the consistency of glue.  Take one strip of paper at a time fully immerse in the mixture run the paper through your fingers to take off the access water and place on the piñata.  Continue until the piñata is fully covered.  Set aside to dry overnight.

Day 2 (1/2 hour)

6.       Apply another layer of papier-mâché and let dry overnight.

Day 3 (1 1/2 hours)

7.        Paint the piñata in the design you have chosen.  Let dry turn it over carefully and paint the back. 
 

It takes a while but it is well worth it, enjoy!

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