How To Make A Piñata
Use these steps to learn how to make a DIY piñata from a balloon and paper maché for your next easy party activity.
Print Tutorial
Equipment
- Bowl
- Utility Knife
Supplies
- 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
Instructions
How To Make Paper Maché Paste
- 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).
How To Make A Piñata Out Of A Balloon
- 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, blow it up to the desired size and place in a bowl.
- 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. Rub them 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.
- Let paper maché fully dry.
Adding Treats Inside The Piñata
- Once the piñata is dry, cut open the top and place party treats inside.
- Cut holes on side and string ribbon across before closing.
- Re-paper maché the top after attaching a ribbon or string.
- Decorate as needed and enjoy your DIY piñata.
Video
Notes
- Place a balloon in a bowl when trying to paper maché.
- This simple paper maché recipe can be used for all sorts of DIY art and easy craft projects.
- Instead of using a balloon for your base, you could make a base out of cardboard or a box to create any shaped piñata.
- Make sure to add three layers of paper maché to your balloon. This will make it strong enough to hold your weight items.
- If young children are having a hard time cracking the piñata, cut a small slit to help them break the piñata apart.
Cost: under $5