Carols Games Downloads Make Stuff

 

MEXICAN PIÑATA

You will need:

What to do:

  1. Blow up the balloon. 
        
  2. Tear about five large sheets of newspaper into strips.  In a waterproof area, dip the strips of newspaper into your papier mache glue, then lie them across the balloon.   Put strips all around the balloon, both vertically and horizontally.  Continue until your balloon has about three coats of newspaper all around it.  Leave a small hole at the knotted end of the balloon so that you can get the balloon out later.
     
  3. Drape a long piece of string over the top and down both sides of the balloon.  Both ends of the string should extend beyond the knotted end of the balloon by about 30cm.   Drape another long piece of string over the balloon in a similar manner, but at right-angles to the first piece of string.  Later, you will use these strings to hang up the piñata.
     
  4. Put more newspaper strips over the top of the strings.  Continue to place newspaper strips around the balloon until the balloon has about six layers of newspaper on it (including the three layers beneath the string).
     
  5. Leave to dry completely.  This will usually take at least 24 hours, depending on the climate where you live.
     
  6. Pop the balloon through the hole at the base, and gently pull it out.
     
  7. Put candies/lollies into gap in the balloon shape.  Close over the hole either using masking tape or using more papier mache newspaper strips. 
     
  8. Paint and decorate the piñata.  You can hang streamers off it, or use cardboard to attach a horse's head, legs and tail to it.  Whatever you like!
     
  9. Use the strings to hang up the piñata outside.  Take it in turns to hit the piñata with a stick or bat.  When the piñata breaks, the candies will spill everywhere.  First in, first served!