Create your own colorful piñata to fill with treats! You'll learn how to use papier-mâché to turn a simple balloon into a festive party game.

Tools

• mixing bowl
• paintbrushes
• scissors

Materials

• large balloons (12-inch, 1)
• newspaper (10-15 sheets, torn into strips)
• all-purpose flour (1 cup)
• water (2 cups)
• colored crepe paper or tissue paper (3 rolls/packs of different colors)
• white glue (4 oz bottle)
• strong twine or rope (3 feet)
• small candies or prizes (2 cups)
• acrylic paint (3-4 primary colors)

Safety

• Adult supervision required when using scissors.
• Be careful not to pop the balloon too close to your face.
• Wash hands and surfaces after using flour and glue paste.
• Adult supervision required for sharp objects.
• Protect work surface. Materials may stain clothing.
• Do not wrap string around neck or limbs.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Blow up the balloon to the desired size and tie it securely.
2. Mix 1 cup of flour and 2 cups of water in a mixing bowl until it forms a smooth, thick paste.
3. Dip a strip of newspaper into the flour paste, removing excess liquid with your fingers.
4. Smooth the wet newspaper strip onto the balloon, covering the entire surface except for a small area at the top where the knot is.
5. Apply a second layer of newspaper strips, crossing them in different directions to make the piñata stronger.
6. Let the piñata dry completely for 24 to 48 hours until it feels hard to the touch.
7. Carefully pop the balloon with a pin or scissors and pull it out through the hole at the top.
8. Paint the outside of the dried newspaper shell with acrylic paint and let it dry.
9. Cut the crepe paper into long strips and glue them to the bottom of the piñata, overlapping them to create a fringe effect.
10. Poke a small hole in the top of the piñata and thread the twine through it, tying a strong knot to create a hanging loop.
11. Fill the piñata through the top hole with the candies and prizes.
12. Seal the top hole with a final piece of tape or a scrap of crepe paper.