Making a Pinata Out of Paper Mache

• Blow up a balloon
  This is use to create the basic form. Other objects, such shapes made from bendable wire or small cardboard boxes can also be used for creating the basic shape.
• Create a mixture of one-half all-purpose craft glue and one-half water
• Tear or cut strips of paper (one inch wide and up to a foot long generally works best for most pinatas)
  Use any lightweight paper, such as newspaper, tissue paper, or even kleenex.
• Dip stip of paper in the glue solution and cover (do not wipe off...this is supposed to be a messy job)
  If using construction paper or butcher paper, allow extra time to soak in paste solution as it takes longer for them to become saturated because of their thickness.
• Lay piece of glue-cover paper on balloon or other base form
  Repeat the process until the base is covered by stips of paper criss-crossing each other. This is the first layer.
• Allow to dry until hard, and then add another layer using the same process.
  Continue adding criss-crossing layers of strips of glue-covered paper and let each layer dry before adding the next layer. A minimum or 3 layers may be necessary for adequate hardness.
• When the last layer is fully dry, cut a small hole in the top of the pinata, just big enough to fill with candy.
• Insert stiff wire in bottom of pinata and push through hole in top. Bend wire into circular shape at bottom of pinata so it will hold.
  Wire should be long enough to go through center of pinata and form hanger at top.
• Cover wire at bottom of piñata with more glue-covered strips of paper and let dry thoroughly.
• Paint with tempura paint.
• Decorate by gluing on yarn, moveable eyes, eyelashes, feathers, beads, buttons, colored tissue paper, etc.
• From the hole at the top, fill pinata with small, individually-wrapped candies.
  Be careful not to over-fill. As you fill, occasionally hold in the air to test strength of pinata and supporting wire.