How to Make a DIY Pinata! (Save Money with Easy Paper Mache)

Make This Easy DIY Pinata 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 treehouse with cupcakes would be the perfect way to celebrate. But he also really wanted a Pinata. I had a few in my online shopping cart but decided why not save the $20 and make my own DIY Pinata. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a homemade paper maché piñata.

What should our DIY piñata be of?

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

An Easter egg DIY Piñata.

Now how could I not try to make this simple structure my son ASKED for? I mean he could have picked any subject matter he wanted…

But somehow he helped me out by picking the most basic shape!

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Pin for Later!

How to Make A Homemade Pinata

I knew I could use a simple paper mache recipe and balloon to create a homemade pinata. We were sure that we would be able to have DIY Pinata that would resemble an egg that we could smash.

Now, before he decided on the egg pinata, I was completely trying to think about how I could repurpose cardboard boxes into a base that I could paper mache. I did think I might be able to pull off a DIY car pinata. However, there was no need when my son said he just wanted an Easter Egg Pinata. 

I have a feeling I may have started a birthday tradition around here, so I am sure I will be making more cool DIY piñatas in the future.

Supplies needed for DIY paper mache piñata recipe

How To Make Homemade Paper Mache

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

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

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

How to Paper Mache

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

 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

How to Turn Paper Mache Balloon into a DIY Pinata

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. I used 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.

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

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

5. Punch or cut two 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 mache. 

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

9. Add colored tissue paper back on top.

Let Dry and have some fun swinging away!

Tips and Tricks for DIY Paper Mache and DIY Pinata Construction

• 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 could be. 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 DIY Pinata!

If you loved this family-friendly DIY tutorial then you may also like my related articles

–DIY Anniversary Party Ideas that Will Save You Money!

–Easy and Inexpensive Treat Bags

Yield: Simple Piñatas

How To Make A Piñata

Print

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

Total Time 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

• Bowl
• Utility Knife
• Scissors (our favorites)

Instructions

1. Pour flour into a bowl and slowly add water.
2. Stir or whisk until it is not chunky at all.
3. Add salt (this helps preserve what you are making).
4. You will want to precut your newspaper into strips of paper about 1 inch wide. This can vary depending on your project.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Keep strips flat and place them on the balloon or base. Rubbing it to get flat.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Once the piñata is dry, cut open the top and place party treats inside.
11. Re-paper maché the top after attaching a ribbon or string.
12. Decorate as needed and enjoy your DIY piñata.

Notes

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

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  120 Assorted Color Balloons 12 Inches 12 Kinds of Rainbow Party Latex Balloons, Latex Balloons for Party Decoration, Birthday Party Supplies or Arch Decoration
• 
  Do A Dot Art! Markers 5-Pack Shimmer Washable Paint Markers, The Original Dot Marker

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