The ideas here will teach you how to make your own pinatas using a couple different techniques. You will be inspired when you discover how easy it can be.
For those who might not know, a pinata is container filled with candies and even small toys. A pinata is usually decorated to be bright and colorful and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you make your own pinata, you can make it any size or shape that you like.
Pinatas can be used as a game at special events, especially birthday parties. They are hung from a tree branch or other higher place. One at a time, the participants are blindfolded, spun around a few times, and then they swing a stick or bat at the pinata. The goal is to break them open so the candy and toys inside spill out. When the pinata is broken open, everyone scrambles to gather as many goodies as possible. Of course, you should keep this in mind while you are designing and making your pinata.
Methods to Make Pinatas
Here are two methods you can use to make your own pinatas at home. The first is using paper mache techniques. While this method is messy and the process takes a few days to complete, the end result will be a more traditional, sturdy pinata. You can also create a simple pinata using a paper bag. If you are looking for a quicker, no-mess project, this should be the method you choose. Keep in mind that a paper bag pinata might not break as nicely when it comes to playing the game as a paper mache one.You can explore both methods here:
- How to Make a Paper Mache Pinata -
| Step-by-Step Directions | Watch the Video |
- How to Make a Paper Bag Pinata -
| Step-by-Step Directions |
How to Design Your Pinata
While you can embellish a paper bag pinata however you like, you can get much more creative using paper mache techniques. The paper mache pinata directions above give directions for making a round pinata using a balloon. While you should stick with using a balloon or other thin item as the base of your paper mache, you can add details using cardboard, masking tape, and other objects (see a list of possible objects). For example, to make a pinata that looks like a fish, start with a large balloon and cut a tail and fin shapes out of lightweight cardboard. You can wrap the cardboard with newspaper to give it a little more body and shape. Attach the fins and tail to the fish using masking tape. You can then follow these step-by-step directions to paper mache your pinata.
Use your imagination and you can make a pinata to fit and party theme or holiday - anything is possible if you set your mind to it. If you are looking for some inspiration, check out these photos submitted by readers just like you:
- Pineapple House Pinata - Submitted by Patty
- Fairy Pinata - Submitted by Brenda McCormick
- Hello Kitty Pinata Photo - Submitted by Jerry Garcia Jr.
- Hello Kitty Pinata Photo - Submitted by Charleste King
- Star Wars Death Star Pinata Photo - Submitted by Joey Lopez
- Rainbow Pinata Photo - Submitted by Lisa Litwiller
- Bunny Pinata Photo - Submitted by the Napier Family
- Bunny Pinata Photo - Submitted by Amy Little
- Dora the Explorer Pinata - Submitted by the Terandos
- Hot Air Balloon Pinata - Submitted by the Cozzens Family
- Paper Mache Egg - Submitted by Marcie in CA
- SpongeBob Pinata Photo - Submitted by Tina Shaw
- SpongeBob and Gary Pinatas Photo - Submitted by Wendy Hall
- Plankton Pinata - Submitted by Wendy Hall
- Plankton Pinata - Submitted by Marlon
- Traffic Signal Pinata - Submitted by Shelly Morrison
- Tweety Bird Pinata - Submitted by Nancy Dolan
- Veggie Tales Pinata - Submitted by Elena Sellers
- Veggie Tales Pinata - Submitted by Kris Irving
- Ninjago Pinata - Submitted by Sasa from Serbia
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Pinata - Submitted by Sasa from Serbia
- Hello Kitty Pinata - Submitted by Sasa from Serbia
- Bakugan Pinata - Submitted by Sasa from Serbia
- Spiderman Pinata - Submitted by Sasa from Serbia