Make your own piñata using simple ingredients from home

So we are “safe at home” right now and my son’s birthday was coming up. We have convinced him that a family party in our new playset with cupcakes would be the perfect way to celebrate. But he also really wanted a piñata.

I had a few in my online shopping cart but decided why not save the $20 and make my own DIY piñata. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a homemade paper maché piñata.

children feet and candy after hitting a homemade piñata

What should our own DIY piñata be of?

I asked my son what he wanted, and he actually said the easiest thing possible…

An Easter egg piñata.

Now how could I not try to make this simple structure my son ASKED for? I mean he could have picked any shaped piñata he wanted.

But somehow he helped me out by picking the most basic shape that could be made with a balloon and easy steps.

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Ways you can make a simple piñata

out of a cereal box
use a paper bag as the base
use an old cardboard box
traditional paper maché paste and crepe paper
mini piñatas out of cardboard tubes
create a base like large numbers out of bendable cardboard strips

Decide on desired shape and materials

Once you have decided on your piñata design you need to construct your base before making your paper mache paste.

For our simple Easter egg piñata that meant blowing up the balloon and prepping our workspace. We were sure that we would be able to have our own piñata resemble an egg that we could smash.

If you are using a box as a base, you would want to open parts of it and then retape it together with masking tape. This will make it easier for your children to smash.

Other DIY piñata ideas

We will probably need different ways to make piñatas because our kids had so much fun with this simple design. The next birthday party will probably need one of these cool DIY piñatas.

Supplies needed for paper mache piñata recipe

I.5 parts water

1 part flour

Tablespoon of salt

Newspaper or old brown paper bags

Colored Tissue Paper or paint (optional)

Balloons (this pack of balloons has also been a hit for extra games around our house)

You can use cardboard or a different base than a balloon

Flour, water and balloon used to make DIY paper mache

How to make homemade paper maché paste

1. Pour flour into the bowl and slowly add water.

Flour & water to make homemade paper mache

2. Stir or whisk until it is not chunky at all.

Whisk homemade paper mache for DIY pinata

3. Add salt (this helps preserve what you are making)

How to make a pinata out of a balloon

1. You will want to precut your newspaper or old paper brown bags into strips of paper about 1 inch wide. This can vary depending on your project.

hands holding orange scissors cutting brown paper bags into strips.

2. If using a balloon, bowl up to desired size and place in a bowl. This will help you have a stand to work on. If you are creating a cardboard base, then you would just get that ready.

white balloon sitting in bowl on newspaper with paper mache paste in other bowl.

3. Dip a whole strip of newspaper into flour mixture. Pull it out while keeping it flat. This allows the edge of the bowl to take some of the excess paper mache off. You can also use your fingers to take extra goop off.

Newspaper dipped in homemade paper mache recipe

4. Keep strips flat and place them on the balloon or base. Rubbing it to get flat.

Keep paper mached strips flat on the balloon

5. Overlap strips in different ways. You do not want the paper mache strips to all go the same way.

6. Repeat this until you have about 3 layers.

Streamers can add a base color to paper mache

7. If you want to add a base color to your homemade pinata, then you can also carefully add tissue paper on top of the newspaper. You can try to do it while it is wet or revisit and add color after it dries.

Colored Tissue paper added to homemade DIY pinata

8. Your pinata base may take up to 24-48 hours to completely dry.

How long does it take paper maché to dry?

Honestly, don’t be shocked if it takes over 24 hours for your balloon piñata to dry. By now 48 hours it should be completely dry no matter what environment you are drying it in.

Make sure to rotate the piñata or else you will have a wet spot. We kept ours in a bowl and just rotated it. If it is a sunny day you can also speed up the dry time by placing your balloon outside.

Optional Homemade Pinata Steps

Use paint dot makers to have little ones help you add decorations as we did after our homemade pinata dried.
Cut tissue paper in a fringe and glue it on to give it a more traditional pinata feel.
Cut some square of tissue paper, wrap around the end of a pencil and dip in glue and add to the pinata. This will give that fluffy texture. I think I will probably try this the next time I need to make a pinata, but it probably would be pretty time-consuming.

Paint dotters used to add design to pinata

How to turn paper mache balloon into a hanging piñata

So here is where I knew it would get tricky.

1. First, pop the balloon. I did cover the whole balloon except for the knot.

2. Cut out a shape on the top big enough for you to drop your prizes into. Use an Exacto knife to cut a square flap out of the top. Do not cut the whole shape. Cut 3 sides so that the top of the pinata will flip open.

Exacto knife to cut opening in DIY pinata

3. Drop in the prizes and small toys. Make sure that your pinata is strong enough to support whatever you are putting in.

4. Add your favorite things. We added suckers, small toys, airheads, and my favorite little spiky balls to ours.

5. Punch or cut two small holes far enough away from the opening and add a string or ribbon.

6. Flip the cut shape back on.

7. Make a small amount of homemade paper maché paste.

8. Reapply flour paper mache on top of the cut seams.

9. Add colored tissue paper back on top.

Let the paper mache strips dry and get ready to have some fun!

Tips and tricks for making a piñata

Make sure that your homemade pinata structure is strong enough to hold what you have created.
Use a bowl to help prop up balloons or round objects.
Find ways to add details with the whole family (like using paint dotters)

Hang your homemade pinata somewhere fun

We decided to hang ours near our new treehouse and rock wall. Surprisingly, ours held up for quite a few swings. I was surprised at how strong 3 layers of paper mache were. My kids loved that they knew we had made it ourselves and couldn’t wait to see what was inside.

They also really thought it was a mystery about how things got inside. While they helped with the paper mache part, they didn’t get to see me put the toys and candy inside. They were happily surprised by this homemade piñata!

Piñatas you can buy

Now, if after you read this, you decide you just want to spend the money and get a pinata, here are a few that I did consider buying.

Paw Patrol Pinata Kit-Because who doesn’t love those pups!

Race Car Pinata– Seemed to be the cheapest with the highest rating.

Llama Pinata-I really would have had to think about getting if this was for my daughter

If you loved this family-friendly DIY tutorial and want more DIY party ideas

DIY Anniversary Party Ideas that Will Save You Money!

Easy and Inexpensive Treat Bags

Yield: Simple Piñatas

How To Make A Piñata

Here is a more condensed version of the DIY piñata steps mentioned above. Enjoy being a DIY nut!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 1 hour

Additional Time 1 day

Total Time 1 day 1 hour 5 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost under $5

Materials

Newspaper Strips
1 cup All-Purpose Flour
1.5 cups Water
Tablespoon Salt
Balloon
Paint Dotters (optional)
Colored Tissue Paper (Optional)
Fun items or candy to fill your piñata

Tools

Instructions

Pour flour into a bowl and slowly add water.
Stir or whisk until it is not chunky at all.
Add salt (this helps preserve what you are making).
You will want to precut your newspaper into strips of paper about 1 inch wide. This can vary depending on your project.
If using a balloon, bowl up to the desired size and place in a bowl. This will help you have a stand to work on. If you are creating a cardboard base, then you would just get that ready.
Dip the whole strip of newspaper into the flour mixture. Pull it out while keeping it flat. This allows the edge of the bowl to take some of the excess paper mache off. You can also use your fingers to take extra goop off.
Keep strips flat and place them on the balloon or base. Rubbing it to get flat.
Overlap strips in different ways. You do not want the paper mache strips to all go the same way. Repeat until you have 3 layers.
Optional: You can use tissue paper to add color, paint the paper maché or use a variety of ways to finish your paper maché piñata.
Once the piñata is dry, cut open the top and place party treats inside.
Re-paper maché the top after attaching a ribbon or string.
Decorate as needed and enjoy your DIY piñata.

Notes

You can use this simple paper mache recipe for all sorts of DIY art and easy craft projects. Also, you could try to make a different base out of cardboard to create any shaped pinata.

Recommended Products

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I hope you enjoy your extra family time and making memories with your DIY paper maché piñata!

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Lady Life Hack

Sunday 14th of June 2020

This is a great diy! Thanks for the steps. Piñatas are expensive so being able to make one is great!

Erin

Monday 15th of June 2020

Hi! Yes, we love being able to make things ourselves. A DIY pinata is a perfect solution for something you are just going to smash anyway!

Hannah

Wednesday 15th of April 2020

I used to make paper mache as a kid and this looks super fun to make!

Millie

You have just given me a great idea! We are still on lockdown and I was thinking of what to do to celebrate when we are finally back to the new normal. I'll make a giant pinata!! It looks so simple and I'm sure it will be fun to do!

Hi Hannah! Yes, my kids did enjoy getting pretty messy creating this DIY pinata. They had even more fun cracking the homemade pinata open!