Piñatas

History of the Piñata

Materials: A balloon, newspaper strips, wheat paste, squares and strips of colorful tissue paper, glue, tape, knife, one foot of wire, margarine tub lids, pencil, and construction paper.

1. Prepare wheat paste for papier-mâché by mixing flour and water to a consistency slightly thinner than cake batter. Cover the entire surface of an inflated balloon with strips of newspaper dipped into the paste mixture. Allow to dry completely.

2. Cut five half circles from construction paper and bend to form cones. Attach these cones to the piñata with tape.

3. Pour a moderate amount of glue on a margarine tub lid. Scrunch squares of tissue paper around the eraser of a pencil. Using the pencil, dip the scrunched square into the glue and press on the piñata. Cover the entire piñata with tissue paper squares. Attach strips of tissue paper as streamers.

4. Use the knife to cut out a small piece of the piñata. Fill the piñata with candy, stickers, or other surprises. Attach one end of the wire to either side of the opening, then replace the small piece and glue back in place.

5. Hang the piñata for a decoration or tie on a string or rope to play the piñata-breaking game.
(Lakeshore Learning Materials, 1993)