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Making a Piñata
Piñatas originated in
Italy. Early Spanish piñatas were clay jugs called
"ollas." A piñata is a hollow shaped container
filled with treats (wrapped candy, gum, etc.).
To make a piñata you will
use papier-mâché. Papier-mâché is a French word that
means "chewed or pulped paper." Measure about 1 cup of
water and pour it into a container. Measure and add about 1
cup of flour to the water. Mix the water and flour until it
is thick like gravy. Cut or tear newspaper into strips that
are about 1 1/2 inches wide.
Blow up a balloon and tie
it. Dip each strip of newspaper into the flour mixture and
put it directly onto the balloon. Cover the entire
balloon, EXCEPT a small opening at the bottom. This will be
used to fill the piñata with treats. Put several layers of
newspaper strips on the balloon.
Pop the balloon when the
layers of newspaper are dry. Reach in the hole and pull out
the remains of the balloon. Fill the papier-mâché sphere
with wrapped candies and tape over the hole securely with masking
tape.
Decide how you want to
decorate the piñata. Select the color of paint you want and
paint the sphere. You may decide to make it a bird. If
so, use construction paper to make a large beak, eyes, and feet.
Now attach a string to the piñata.
Hang it up high and let the party begin! Let everyone take a
turn to try to break the piñata (use a broom or stick).
Enjoy the treats as they spill to the floor!
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