Party Pinata

For my daughter's 3rd birthday party, she wanted a unicorn piñata. I had no idea how to make one, so I played around with a bit of paper maché and streamers and came up with a relatively cute piñata.

*note- the techniques here could be applied to make any shape piñata.

Things you'll need: Poster board, tape (preferably masking), flour, water, paper (white newsprint or white construction paper work well), streamers, school glue (I used good ol' Elmer's), ribbon (or other materials for hair/details)

1. You'll need to start out by making the basic shape of the piñata. To do this, bend, cut, form, and tape the body. It doesn't need to be solid (the paper maché will take care of that)


2. Make your paper maché by boiling 4c. water. While it boils, stir together one cup luke warm water with one cup flour (make sure to get all the lumps out). Mix flour paste into boiling water and stir for 1 minute. Let it cool until you can handle it without getting burned. This mixture will last for a few days in a covered container, so you may want to save the extra in case you need it in the next few days.


3. Tear your paper into strips and dip into paper maché mixture. Cover your entire structure. During this process you can kindof add more shape/detail to your figure, should you choose. Put extra pieces where you will be hanging it from, so that the rope doesn't pull through. Let it dry for 24 hours.
   
4. Cut a small opening and fill with candy. Apply more paper maché to the hole.


5. Cut your streamer into managable lengths. Cut slits in the streamer (I stacked my streamers and cut several at a time). Clue the top edge of the streamer to the piñata and wrap it around the form. Layer your streamer strips until the entire piñata is covered.


6. Add details (Face, Hair, etc.) For my unicorn's hair, I cut slits in the neck and slid the ribbons in then glued them in place.


7. Cut holes in the figure and string a rope through (I had to use a hanger to get mine through). Voila! Now hopefully you have a beautiful piñata that has taken you days, and will be destroyed in minutes!