How to Make a Pinata

Home-Made Pinata Party Supplies

For those who might not know, a pinata is container filled with candies and even small toys. A pinata is usually decorated to be bright and colorful; and, if you make your own pinata, you can make it any size or shape that you like.

Pinatas are used as a game at special events, especially birthday parties. They are hung from a tree branch or ceiling, and children are blindfolded and take turns swinging at the pinata with a stick. The goal is to break them open so the candy and toys inside spill out.

The resources here will help you make your own pinata. You will be surprised at how easy it is; and, as an added bonus, you probably have everything you need to make one laying around your home right now!

How to Make a Pinata
Here are two methods you can use to make your own pinata at home. The first is using paper mache techniques. While this method is messy and the process takes a few days to complete, the end result will be a more traditional, sturdy pinata. You can also create a simple pinata using a paper bag. If you are looking for a quicker, no-mess project, this should be the method you choose.

You can explore both methods here:

1. How to Make a Paper Mache Pinata -
   | Step-by-Step Directions | Watch the Video |

2. How to Make a Paper Bag Pinata -
   | Step-by-Step Directions |

How to Design Your Pinata
While you can embellish a paper bag pinata however you like, you can get much more creative using paper mache techniques. The paper mache pinata directions above give directions for making a round pinata using a balloon. While you should stick with using a balloon as the base of your paper mache, you can add details using cardboard, masking tape, and other objects (see a list of possible objects). For example, to make a pinata that looks like a fish, start with a large balloon and cut a tail and fin shapes out of lightweight cardboard. You can wrap the cardboard with newspaper to give it a little more body. Attach the fins and tail to the fish using masking tape. You can then follow the step-by-step directions to paper mache your pinata.

Use your imagination and you can make a pinata to fit and party theme or holiday. If you are looking for some inspiration, check out these photos of home-made pinatas:

• Rainbow Pinata Photo - Submitted by Lisa Litwiller

• SpongeBob Pinata Photo - Submitted by Tina Shaw

• Bunny Pinata Photo - Submitted by the Napier Family

• Bunny Pinata Photo - Submitted by Amy Little

• Dora the Explorer Pinata - Submitted by the Terandos

• Hot Air Balloon Pinata - Submitted by the Cozzens Family

• Paper Mache Egg - Submitted by Marcie in CA

• Plankton Pinata - Submitted by Wendy Hall

• Traffic Signal Pinata - Submitted by Shelly Morrison

• Tweety Bird Pinata - Submitted by Nancy Dolan

• Veggie Tales Pinata - Submitted by Elena Sellers

• Veggie Tales Pinata - Submitted by Kris Irving

If you end up making either a paper mache pinata or a paper bag pinata, please consider submitting a picture of it to be included in this collection. All you need to do is snap a photo of it and then follow these simple submission directions.