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Making your own pinata is not hard but it is time consuming. First thing you need to decide what type of pinata you are wanting. If your are real crafty you can make a base for your pinata with light cardboard formed into what every you are wanting. Make a mini pinata lipstick. Probably the easiest way to make your own pinata is use a balloon, this was our first attempt at making our own pinata. We had a Hot Air Balloon Party for my daughters seventh birthday. So we made a Hot Air Balloon Pinata.

After you have your base you need to cut newspaper into strips about 1-inch to 2-inches wide and about 6 inches long make some 12-inches long. The wider and longer the newspaper is cut the faster the process will go, but you don't want it to be too wide or long that will make it hard to control the paper. You will also want both black and white newsprint and then colored newsprint like the comics or sales flyers that come in your newspapers. You will want the first layer to start with the black and white print and the second layer to be the colored print. This way you know you are getting an even coverage.

Next you need to cover your surface with newspaper, since accidents do happen. Now decide what type of paper mache paste you want to make and use. There are many recipes out there but here are two for your convenience. Flour Mixture Formula. White Glue Formula. There are pros and cons to both formulas so you decide. You need to let each layer dry for at least 12 hours before going to the next layer. Do two layers like this.

Now poke two small holes at the top of your pinata at least 2-3 inches apart, and thread a piece of wire through it. This is what will suspend your pinata in the air for playing the game. Now around that area put 2-3 layers of paper mache and at least one more layer of paper mache all the way around your pinata.

When you are completely done, do not decorate until your pinata is completely dry we suggest 48 hours.

To decorate your pinata we suggest painting it first with spray paint. This will give you a solid base color. If you are doing a decoration on your pinata you will want to draw your design first, using a marker that will mark on top of the spray paint. Outline the areas in the colors using the tissue paper squares. The kids can help you fill in the spots with other tissue paper squares.

Ways to decorate your pinata:

Now there are many ways for you to actually decorate your pinata. The most common way is to use tissue squares. If you use this approach we suggest you outline the areas with the color of tissue squares you want to use then your children can help you by filling in the spaces. You can buy these are most craft stores. This is what people use to decorate floats. You can use regular tissue paper, you cut into squares yourself, or just use full sheets of tissue paper. You can also use aluminum foil, wrapping paper, or just paint it. Note: Just painting the pinata will show flaws so be aware if that is the approach you plan to take. Use feathers, fake jewels or anything else to accent the pinata. Be careful when deciding on these materials because you don't want something to fly off of it during the pinata activity and hurt someone at that party.

Tissue Squares:

To make your own tissue squares cut tissue into squares about 3-inches by 3-inches. You will then need a pencil or you can use your finger. Wrap the tissue paper around the end of your pencil or finger and slightly twist it. Dip the end in glue and stick to your pinata.

Glue Formula:

Use half white craft glue and half water and mix. That is all there is to that one.

This formula is a little messier than the flour formula but it does dries faster and to a smoother finish and sticks better than the flour formula

Flour Formula:

Mix one party flour with two parts water, until you get a thick glue like consistency Add more flour or water as necessary. Mix well getting all the lumps out. Add a few tablespoons of salt to help prevent mold. This mixture dries slow so this lets you have more time to play with how you are shaping your pinata.

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