|
How to Make a Pinata
This hot-air balloon piñata is great for
first time makers -- and it makes for a nice
big target for little piñateros.
Materials
 • 14-inch
balloon, inflated
• 10-inch
bowl
• One
batch papier-mâché paste
• 1
two-page spread each of regular
newspaper and the comic pages
• 32-oz.
plastic yogurt container, cut in half
horizontally
• String
• Hole
punch
• Glue
stick
• 5 sheets
of tissue paper in bright colors, cut
• into 3
1/2-inch squares
• 4 lbs.
of individually wrapped candies
|
|
For stability while working, place the balloon in a
10-inch bowl. Fold the spread of newspaper in half and
then in half again. Tear (don't cut) 1 1/2-inch-wide
strips so they have a slightly rough edge (tearing along
a straight edge works well). The rough edges help make a
smooth overall surface. Drag a strip of newspaper
through the papier-mâché
paste, wipe off any excess with your fingers, and
place it at an angle on the balloon. Place the second
strip so that it slightly overlaps the first. Continue
until the balloon has been covered with one layer of
paper strips--except for a 2-inch square at the top,
through which the candy will go. Give the papier-mâché
up to 24 hours to dry. Cover your leftover paste with
plastic wrap so it doesn't dry out (if it does, add warm
water).
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the piñata's hanger, wrap the midpoint of a length
of string (doubled up, if necessary) around the bottom
of the balloon, pulling the ends up to the top; tape it
to the balloon in a few places. Knot together the ends
of the string 6 inches above the top. Tape the top half
of the yogurt container to the bottom of the balloon.
This will become the neck of the hot air balloon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cover the balloon (including the string), the neck and
the bottom half of the yogurt container (which will
become the hot air balloon basket) with a layer of
strips of comics, placing them at a different angle from
the first layer. (Using different colored strips lets
you distinguish one layer from the next, ensuring a
uniform overall thickness.) Allow the second layer to
dry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cover the balloon, neck and basket with strips of plain
newsprint going in a third direction. Smooth over any
rough edges as you work. Allow the balloon to dry
thoroughly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Punch four holes into the neck of the hot air balloon
and four into the basket. Attach string to the neck
about 3 1/2 inches from the base of the balloon to later
suspend the basket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dot the corners of a tissue square with a glue stick and
place it just to the side of the 2-inch square on the
top of the balloon. Follow with other squares in the
same color, working your way diagonally down around the
balloon. When you get to the bottom, start at the top
again in another color, fitting the squares into a
houndstooth pattern. If you want to add streamers, cut
2- by 30-inch lengths of tissue paper and glue them onto
matching colored squares about halfway down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cover the basket with squares of tissue in different colors. Attach the basket to the balloon. Puncture the
uncovered part of the balloon at the top of the piñata
and remove all of the balloon fragments. Make sure the
inside of the piñata is completely dry before you fill
it, so the candy won't stick to the sides. Fill it about
halfway with the candy. Cover the opening with some
tissue squares, and your piñata is ready to hang.
|
|
|
|
|
