Video:Make an Easy Paper Mache Pinata

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Transcript:Make an Easy Paper Mache Pinata

Hi, I'm design expert Daniel Mar from House of Flash Fashion Lifestyle Accessories for About.com. Today, I'm going to teach you how to make a beautiful, easy paper mache pinata.

To Make a Paper Mache Pinata You Will Need:

• Paper mache paste
• Newspaper strips
• Tissue paper
• A balloon
• String or thread
• No-stick cooking spray
• Plastic tub
• Assorted crafts paper and ribbons
• Paper scissors
• White school glue
• Hot glue

Cover the Paper Mache Base in Two Layers

Prepare your balloon by spraying it with no-stick cooking spray. Dip your paper into the paste, remove the excess, and coat the balloon. Once your surface is completely covered, you want to leave it to dry for at least 24 hours. Once the mache is dry, you want to take strips of tissue paper and do a final layer. Once your tissue layer is dry, pop your balloon, and remove it from the inside. Your paper mache balloon shell is now ready to become a pinata.

Tie String to the Pinata

Trim off the unsightly parts at the top, take a piece of string, eyeball it, put a bead of hot glue, and press the string down onto it. Careful not to burn yourself, it is very hot! Repeat this step once again to create an X at the top. Then, take another piece of thread and add a loop to it.

Decorate the Paper Mache Pinata with Accessories

Now it's time to decorate the shell. Begin to decorate from the bottom—that's why it comes in handy to have a container like this. I'm going to make sure I find the center—it doesn't have to be the exact center—take some ribbon, gather some lengths, and hot glue it to the bottom. Do not use your hands, the hot glue is very hot. Take a strip of your multi-colored paper—and I'm going to accordion pleat this paper so I can make repeat shapes—and cut out a shape, for example, a circle. Use some craft glue, take your shape, and press down. Go around the pinata and layer your tissue shapes like petals. The idea is to have fun with it. This is something that you and your kids can do together, it's very tactile. And you can also talk about shapes and colors when you're doing this. I am mixing up the paper, but you can also use it all in one color, or start off with very light tissue, then go to a darker-colored tissue.

Fill the Pinata with Candy Before Closing the Paper Mache Shell

Nearing the top, you can fill your hollow shell with candy and finish off your edge. Feel free to add anything else, like glitter, more ribbons, jewels—anything. Be creative, have fun. And this is how you create a paper mache pinata.