Materials Needed:
- Large, Round Balloon
- Newspaper
- Paper Mache Paste
- Paint
- Crepe Paper
- String or Yarn
- Masking Tape
Instructions:
Make sure you cover you work surface well. I usually set down newspaper first and then wax paper on top of the newspaper. This is a very messy project!
Tear several newspaper pages into strips. You will want them 1-inch wide and about 6 - 8 inches long. Set them aside.
Use a large bowl to prepare your paper mache paste (Pick a recipe here). I would suggest using a bowl that is easy to soak and clean (glass perhaps) or even a disposable bowl.
Blow up the balloon and tie it closed. Now you are ready to start with the paper mache! (To hold your balloon while you are working on it, you might want to try to set it in a cup or bowl that is covered with plastic wrap.)
Dip the newspaper strips into the glue you made. Remove any extra glue on the newspaper piece by running it through your fingers. Spread the newspaper onto the balloon. Completely cover the balloon, leaving a small hole on the end where the balloon is tied so you can remove the balloon and fill the pinata. Let the first layer dry.
Add two more layers of paper mache to your balloon. Allow each layer to dry completely before putting on the next layer. Once it is dry, pop the balloon and remove it through the opening you left.
You can now decorate your pinata. The fastest way is to paint it with bright designs. After the paint is dry, you can hang some crepe paper streamers from the bottom. You can also wrap strips of crepe paper around your pinata, cutting fringe along the edge.
You can also decorate your pinata using 3 inch squares of tissue paper. Spread some glue on your pinata. Hold the 4 corners of your tissue paper square together and then stick the center of the tissue paper square onto the glue. The 4 corners should not touch the glue, they should remain sticking up.
To hang your pinata, poke 4 small holes evenly spaced around the larger hole in the top. Thread a piece of string, yarn, or even fishing line through each hole and tie the together at the top. Cover the holes and secure the string further using pieces of masking tape. Tie a longer piece of string onto the these.
If you would like to see this process in action, check out this 'How to Make a Pinata' video.
Check out more pictures of paper mache pinatas in this photo gallery.
