se7en

This is Step 5 in my Se7en Steps to a Good Party Series… and is all about that vital pinata. Kids love a pinata. The surprise of what’s inside them. Being allowed to smash to their hearts content.

Kids are also very forgiving, when artistic talent fails you - never fear if you announce what your pinata is, trust me, they will believe you. My children all know they will have a pinata at their party, but I keep the final “what is it?” to just before the party, when I take their photograph - I have tried to have a pinata picture for every party.

Let’s just quickly talk about what to put inside. There are criteria here: Whatever it is has to be light, your pinata can get weighed down really quickly, and they have to be durable, the items will finally come crashing down - things like lolipops shatter and then can’t possibly be eaten. Whatever goes in needs to survive the dive:

So what can you put in there… anything to go with your party theme… and then:

• Bits of nonsense: streamers, party poppers, glow sticks, paper masks.
• Tiny Toys: plastic animals, dice, badges, fridge magnets, hair clips.
• Candy - we usually put in a little roll of sweeties for each child.
• Tiny Crafty things: Little glitter glues, tiny glue sticks, stickers.
• Stationary: little pencils, erasers, highlighters, post it notes, bull dog clips - stationary and you have conquered all party goers.

And lets quickly talk about the smashing up part - before it gets lost in the last gasp of the post. We keep a short piece of broomstick specifically for the task. Make them line up shortest to tallest, and let the little guys go first. Everyone else must stand well back - and you will need to keep repeating this! All you need is the biggest guest to go first and smash it before everyone has a turn. That being said, I have never had one get smashed too quickly - usually the latter and everyone has more than a few turns.

There are three types of Pinata that I make for my kids parties:

Type 1: A Party Bag:

This is the quickest and easiest and can really be done on the day. Yes, on the day!!!

Take a gift bag, they are usually made of good, quite durable material and you can choose one to match your party theme. Right, take a gift bag and stuff it with goodies. Then tape the top closed with packing tape and you are done!!! I first used this for a little girls “Bag Party Theme” - and I have used it often since then because it is so quick and easy.

Type 2: Mini Pinata:

I saw these first on Not Martha and fell wildly in love and had to try them at our next party. They are made with layers of tissue paper (two was enough) and the layers dry really quickly - they took two days to make - so that’s the time frame!

Here is what I did: a little less refined than Not Martha’s but hay, I was catering for 5 year olds!!!

I used normal balloons (couldn’t find the small ones in the store), and just blew them up small.
Some watered-down cold glue.
Two colors of tissue paper.
And an egg box to stand them up in as they dried.

I cut the tissue paper into strips and covered each balloon in a layer of dark green and pasted the strips in glue as I layered them on. Then I left them to dry overnight.

The following morning I layered them in light green tissue paper also smothering them in glue as I went. They had a nice mottled look as the different layers shone through. And I left them to dry all day.

That evening they were dry and I cut a slit in each pinata and took the balloons out. Then I stuffed them and they were good to go.

They were fantastic green eggs at a Dr. Suess party - they were stuffed with turtles (Yertle the Turtle) and a streamer each. Then covered the opening with a layer of tissue paper and left them to dry overnight. They were perfect for the party the next morning.

Type 3: Traditional Pinata:

This is the most time consuming and takes about a week to get it right, even during the worst weather. The first time I made one of these I thought it would be a complete mission to achieve, but really they are easier than you think and not nearly as messy as I expected.

You will need:

Newspaper torn into strips - I have many happy helpers with this part!
Wall Paper Paste Glue.
And a balloon.

Mix your your wall paper paste according to the instructions and blow up your balloon.

Cover your balloon in a layer of newspaper, smothering lots of paste on a you go.

Only place one layer on at a time, this should take about fifteen minutes at the most. More than one layer won’t speed up the project because then it just takes so much longer to dry.

Leave it to dry completely, over night if need be, between layers. We leave them lying in the garden like giant dinosaur eggs until they are dry (I never noticed the pigeons sitting in this picture!!!).

I usually do three layers of newsprint before the mad decorating begins. And you can go quite mad here… The last layer I do in colored paper or even gift wrap. Once that is dry it is easy to add on stickers and eyes and whatever else seems to be essential. Once this is completely dry I slit it and remove the balloon… then stuff it and use strong packing tape to reseal it… off they go…

Here is a final, friendly word of warning and try not to die laughing, don’t leave this project too late! One time I did run out of time, so I thought I would place the newsprint covered balloon in a slightly warm oven and well lets just say: scientifically speaking… hot air in a balloon expands… but the balloon can not expand because it is covered in a newspaper skin… and while you are merrily icing the cake in a last minute dash - there is a loud kadoof as your pinata explodes!!! Let’s just say shrapnel - Do Not Try This At Home Folks!!!

Happy Popping.

More on Party Tip #6: Party Food and Especially Party Cakes… in the next installment in the series: Se7en Steps to a Good Party Series…

Related posts:

1. Se7en Steps to a Good Party… Question of the week... I am often asked how to...
2. Se7en Party Invitation Ideas… I have posted so much about Birthday Parties, and I...
3. A Crafty Party… a couple of tips… Now that I have written a series on Practical Parties, I...
4. Bug Art… instead of a party Last week I thought I would write all about parties...
5. Party Tips: Se7en Themes and Invitations. I said I would write more party tips for each...
6. Se7en Easy Party Starters… and Gift Ideas. Welcome to Step 2: Arrival in the Se7en Steps to...
7. Party Packs - If You Must! I get asked about party packs so often that it...