How to Make a Party Piñata

Whether you’re hosting a fiesta-themed birthday party, or just want a fun activity the kids can enjoy, you’ll be a real hit when you string up a party piñata. Plus, the memories you and your child will make assembling this timeless craft won’t soon be forgotten. 

Get started on your party piñata! Round piñatas work well and are some of the easiest to construct. First, choose a round object that fits the theme of the party (baseball, planet, beach ball, etc.). Next, you're ready to begin crafting it.

• Several bags of WONKA® MIXUPS® and NESTLÉ® Fun Size candy bars
  
• 1 punch balloon
  
• 2 cups water
  
• 2 cups flour
  
• 1 medium sized mixing bowl
  
• Newspaper
  
• Colored markers
  
• Pencil
  
• Glue stick
  
• Hot glue gun
  
• Colored construction paper (to match the color of the object you are making)
  
• 3-inch wide white paper
  
• 10-inch piece of heavy twine
  
• Roll of duct tape
  
• Clear tape
  
• Safety Pin

1. Begin making the paper maché paste by mixing equal parts water and flour in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add flour to thicken the mixture or water to thin it until you reach a thick paste-like consistency.
2. Blow up a punch balloon to measure about 12 inches in diameter.
3. Tear approximately 50 strips of newspaper into 2-inch wide by 11-inch long strips. Then dip the strips into the paper maché paste, wiping off excess.
4. Lay the strips across the balloon parallel to one another until you've covered the entire balloon. Let dry overnight. Add another layer of newspaper. Let dry overnight. Add a third layer of white paper. Let dry overnight.
5. Using colored markers and construction paper, decorate the outside of the piñata. This is the perfect time to get the kids involved. Let their creativity soar!
6. Using the safety pin, poke a hole in the dried piñata and pop the balloon inside.
7. Cut a 3-inch hole in the top of the piñata, cut a 10-inch piece of heavy twine and cut the duct tape into two 3-inch squares.
8. Apply a liberal amount of hot glue to the sticky side of one of the duct tape squares. Set one end of the twine in the glue. Then, press that square of tape to the inside edge of the 3 inch piñata hole (add additional glue as needed).
9. Repeat step 8 with remaining duct tape square and other end of twine to form the large loop that will be used to hang the piñata. Let dry completely.
10. Fill the piñata with WONKA® MIXUPS® and NESTLÉ® Fun Size candy bars. Seal up the hole
    with matching-colored construction
    paper and clear tape.
11. Your piñata is now ready to be hung and enjoyed at the party. Be sure to have a plastic baseball bat for kids to swing and crack the piñata open. Also, don’t forget to blindfolds (you don’t want to make it too easy for them to crack it open!)

Tips
For safe piñata fun, try converting a regular piñata into a pull-string version.

1. Cut a 3" x 3" x 3" flap, or trap door, on the bottom of the piñata.

2. Pass a ribbon through the flap and tie a knot in the side that will remain inside the piñata.

3. Blow up a punch balloon to measure about 12 inches in diameter.

4. Close the flap gently. Do not use tape or adhesive to close it.

5. Attach other ribbons to the base of the piñata with clear tape. Be sure all of the ribbons, including the one attached to the flap, are the same length.

All activities should be parent-supervised. Parents, please make sure that the tools and items needed for a project are appropriate for your child.