How to Make a Pinata

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Making your own pinata is surprisingly easy, and it can be a lot of fun.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A work smock
An old sheet or drop cloth
Old newspapers
2 c. flour
1 c. water
A round balloon
A large bowl
Plain white paper
Acrylic or fabric paint
Tissue paper and other trimmings
Candy and other fillings
Scissors
Ribbon
Sticks
Glue
Cardboard
A work smock
An old sheet or drop cloth
Old newspapers
2 c. flour
1 c. water
A round balloon
A large bowl
Plain white paper
Acrylic or fabric paint
Tissue paper and other trimmings
Candy and other fillings
Scissors
Ribbon
Sticks
Glue
Cardboard

Step 1: Cover up

Wear a smock and cover your work space with an old sheet or a drop cloth; making a pinata is a messy undertaking.

Step 2: Make newspaper strips

Tear old newspapers into strips approximately one inch wide and eight inches long. You'll need enough pieces to cover your pinata with at least three layers.

Step 3: Mix up some paste

Whisk two cups of flour and one cup of water into a paste, adding a bit more of either if needed to reach the right consistency. You can also use regular glue thinned out with water.

Step 4: Blow up a balloon

Blow up a round balloon and knot it. Sit it in a bowl to steady it while you work.

Step 5: Apply the paper

Dip a newspaper strip into your paste or glue, shake off any excess moisture, and press it onto the balloon. Smooth down any bumps. Repeat, overlapping the strips, until the entire surface is covered in one layer. Leave a small, unpapered space at the top so you have an opening for the pinata's filling.

Step 6: Let the layers dry

Let each layer dry completely before applying another. The more layers you add, the more difficult it will be to crack open. Three layers is the minimum.

Tip: Use plain white paper for the last layer so you have a clean base for decorating.

Step 7: Pop the balloon

Let the paper dry overnight, then pop the balloon and remove it through the unpapered hole.

Step 8: Prepare attachments

If you're making a specific shape, like a donkey, construct the parts you need out of cardboard or scrunched-up newspaper, and attach them with tape or glue.

Tip: The traditional Mexican pinata is an orb with seven cones attached to it, representing the seven deadly sins. The cones are topped with colorful streamers.

Step 9: Decorate it

Paint and decorate the pinata with streamers, tissue paper, glitter, or other trimmings.

Tip: Acrylic and fabric paints work best.

Step 10: Fill with goodies

Make a small slit on either side of the hole. Push a ribbon into one slit, and pull it out of the pinata through the other slit. Then fill the pinata with candy, nuts, fruit, small toys, or a combination thereof.

Step 11: Seal it up

Seal the top hole with more newspaper strips dipped in paste. Let it dry, paint it, and hang up the pinata with the ribbon that you strung through it.

Step 12: Smash it!

Allow time for your work of art to be admired before you hand out sticks and let everyone smash it to smithereens!

Thanks for watching How To Make a Pinata! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• FoodDrink
• pinata
• making
• constructing
• parties
• children
• kids
• planning
• Mexican
• crafts

[REDNECKCABLETV]

haha 17 layers here i come fucking 3 year olds...

[WykkedTrip]

too much work... lets make daddy buy us one! XD

[SPURSNATIONG]

Well, that's one way, good start! Maybe I'll make a video one day? So people can see how Pinatas r really made;)

[MrRezanx]

how did i come here from demomans surprise buttsecks vid ?

[EcoDimension]

you will need a round balloon. but why do i see three?

[kourtneymama]

good job guyz ...thats a very awesome thing 2 do

[kztar621]

@ValeriaVillasana Shut up idiot.

Appart from birthdays, Piñatas are a christmas tradition in Mexico. A family or community commonly organizes 12 parties, known as Posadas, from Decenmber 12th to December 24th, and is traditional to crack at least one fruit-filled Piñata in each Posada.

[kztar621]

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[ValeriaVillasana]

at the end of the video it says cracking a pinata is a christmas tradition, no it's not it's a birthday tradition, GET UR FACTS RIGHT HOWCAST!

[tekila6969]

Good 101 video...but pretty crappy pinata, I think I should upload a video of making one! ;) lol

[greenpie891]

im going to make one of justin bieber so i can wack him witch a stick >:)

[JillyHearts91]

I thought it was a pretty good pinata. Better then going to walmart and spending $20.00 on a small pinata and having someone smash away twenty bucks XD