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How to Make a PinataWant to know how to make a Pinata? 
Whether you buy your pinata or decide to make your own, you're at the right place. If you've got the space, let children swing wildly at a suspended object! 
Materials
Instructions Prepare your work surface with a layer of newspaper you can throw away, or an old plastic tablecloth you can wipe clean of goop and glops which are part of this messy activity!
Tear several pages of newspaper into strips, approximately 1 inch wide by 6-8 inches long. Don’t worry about being neat and cutting them with scissors; the torn edges will adhere more closely and give a smoother overall surface to the finished pinata. Paper Mache Recipe Next, to make a pinata you need to prepare the paper mache paste by using mixture of flour and water. Use a disposable bowl for easy cleaning up afterwards. Mix one part flour with 2 parts water until you have a consistency like thick glue. Add more water or flour as necessary. Squeeze out all the lumps and add a tablespoon or two of salt to help prevent mold. See other paper mache recipe options
below.
Layering Blow up your balloon and place it in a shallow bowl or cardboard box to prevent it from rolling as you work on it. Spray or brush on a light coating of vegetable oil to keep the balloon from adhering to the newspaper when you pop it. Dip a newspaper strip into the flour mixture to coat, and apply it to the balloon at an angle vertically, and overlapping. Continue this process of layering and overlapping until the entire balloon is covered, leaving a small hole at the top of your pinata so you can remove the balloon and fill the pinata. Let the first layer of your pinata dry completely.
Apply a second layer to the balloon, this time angling the strips in a horizontal direction, and overlapping. Let this layer dry and finish with a third layer. The third and last layer should always be made from torn strips of white computer paper or paper towels. This makes it easy to paint the final layer when it's time to decorate. When your project is completely dry, pop the balloon and remove it through the opening at the top.
Decorate It! Decorate your pinata with vibrant colors. Paint a face on it. Add crepe paper hair and eyelashes – use your imagination! Or, try this... cut 3 inch tissue paper squares, place a dab of glue in the centre and stick to the pinata. The edges of the squares should not be glued down. Apply over the surface of the balloon for a cool layered effect. You can also cut pieces of crepe paper, fringe them, curl them around a pencil and glue them to the surface of the pinata.
Hang crepe paper streamers from the bottom of the pinata for the final touch.
Fill and Hang Make 3 or 4 small holes around the top opening and thread a strong piece of string or yarn through them. Tie a longer string to it for hanging. Fill your pinata with wrapped sweets, small toys, and other goodies.
Playing the Pinata Game
Now that you know how to make a Pinata, it's time to play the game! Hang the pinata securely. Each player gets a chance to break the pinata. Each player gets 2 or 3 hits to break the pinata. When the pinata breaks, the children each get a portion of the sweets (or goodies!). If you like, give each child a small bag to hold their goodies. Tip: Have a reserve bag of candy to make sure little ones don’t miss out. Caution: Adult supervision is necessary to keep children a safe distance from the player swinging at the pinata. ________________________________________ Paper Mache Recipe Options Recipe #1 - One part flour to five parts water. Boil on stovetop for 3 minutes and let cool. Recipe #2 - 3/4 cup white glue to 1/4 cup water 
If this all seems too hard, it's okay to buy your Pinata. Try Birthday in a Box - they have a great selection of pinatas to choose from. Return from How to Make a Pinata to main Pinatas Page See more Games for Childrens Birthday Parties
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Each layer will take at least 1 hour to dry, so cover your leftover flour mixture while you're not using it and place in the refrigerator to prevent spoiling. If it gets dry, add a little warm water.
