Homemade Pinata
Nowadays, piñata games are commonly found in parties, especially those conducted on kids’ birthdays. If you are interested in homemade piñatas, then, here are some instructions to help you in making one.
Whether it be kids or adults, everyone loves piñata games. We all know that piñatas are colorful containers made of cardboard or other easily breakable materials. These containers are filled with goodies and the blindfolded participants have to break them open with batons. The history of piñata has been traced back to the period of Aztecs and other native people of Mexico. It was related to their religious beliefs and culture. They used hollow clay sculptures filled with goodies that were collected by believers, as God’s gifts. With time, this practice was adopted in other parts of the world, in different forms. Nowadays, you may find it as a common event in birthday parties. As kids love this game, piñatas are usually decorated with colorful paper and are filled with candies, toys, etc. You may also find newer versions of piñatas that are attached with strings. These piñatas are not meant to be broken with sticks, but have to be opened by pulling the strings. This was introduced due to the safety concern about the older type, which has to be broken by the blindfolded participants with batons. Today, you can find a wide range of piñatas in the market, but, you may make one at home too.
Instructions for Making Homemade Pi’ata So, you can buy piñatas in different colors, designs and shapes. But, making one at home can be an interesting fun activity for kids as well as adults. Apart from that, you can save some money too. Pi’atas can be made in different ways. Here are some tips and guidelines about how to make a homemade pinata
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Balloon Pi’ata
One of the easiest methods to make a piñata is with balloons. You may choose a round-shaped one, as big as you need. You may also opt for balloons with other shapes, if you want to. Round-shaped ones can be easily transformed into other forms, with the help of attachments. Take a newspaper and shred it into one-inch thick strips and keep aside. Now, take a pot and add some flour and water (1:2 ratio). Cook the mixture on low heat, till it forms a loose paste. Remove from heat and store in a container with lid.
Apply the paste on one side of the paper strips and stick them (one by one) over the balloon in a single layer, so that the entire balloon is covered. Make sure to leave a hole on the top, to add the goodies. You may stick one or two additional layers over the first one, but, not before the previous one gets dried completely. Wrap a string or wire around the balloon and stick it with glue or mask tape or clear tape, so that you can suspend the piñata. As the paper covering dries out completely, use color papers and other attachments for decorating the balloon and for making different shapes. Now, add the goodies into the balloon through the opening that has to be closed with the paper strips and glue (papier-m’ch”). You may also decorate the stick with color paper strips. Now, your piñata is ready for the party.
Paper Bag Pi’ata
Paper bags are perfect for making piñatas, especially, those pumpkin-shaped ones. Take two paper grocery bags, big enough to hold your goodies. Place one bag inside the other and fill it with goodies. If there is still space left, you can fill it with crushed news paper. This is necessary because, the bag has to be filled, so as to retain the pumpkin shape. Now, hold together the open ends and tie them, so that the end looks like a stem of the pumpkin. While, tying, make sure that the handles are folded down. This helps in forming a loop through which, you can tie and suspend the piñata. Once done, shape the bag by tucking in the corners. Use an acrylic paint to color the surfaces. You may also go for other decorations, as per your choice. Make sure that the paint is completely dry, before hanging the piñata. If you want, you may go for attachments to this paper bag, for making different homemade piñata shapes.
In short, making piñata is not at all difficult, if you have enough time and a small amount of creativity. The above said are only a few homemade piñata recipes. You may splurge your creativity to come up with different shapes, colors, designs, models, etc. So, plan for a homemade piñata for your kid’s next birthday party.
