Hi Swanky DIY-ers!
This October we decided to make y'all a Day of the Dead themed piñata. It was super easy to make and is extra customizable so you can make your project one of a kind.
Step 1: Gather Supplies
-Balloon
-Newsprint paper
-Scissors
-Flour
-Water
-Bowl
-Masking tape
-Paint
-Paint brushes
-Candy
-Ribbon or rope
Step 2: Paper Mache
Let's get started! Cut your newsprint into small chunks. I found that pieces about 2x3-4 inches worked best for me, but any size works. Just make sure you don't cut them too small or you'll be working all day! Blow up your balloon to the desired size. Mix 2 cups of water with 1 cup of flour in your bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until the mixture gets thicker (it'll still be soupy, just not quite as thin). Dip your newsprint strips into the flour and water mixture and place them on the balloon. Continue doing this until your balloon is covered at least two or three times all the way around. The kids are going to be taking whacks at the piñata so keep in mind it needs to be strong enough to last a couple of rounds. The top also needs to be reinforced since this is where we will putting our hanging mechanism. I dipped my newsprint into the mixture and used the side of the bowl to scrape off excess. It's messy, but best to use your hands instead of a brush! It's going to be lumpy, don't try to perfect the placement too much.
Step 3: Let Dry
Let your creation dry for at least 48 hours. I hung mine on a shower curtain rod to dry indoors, but if it's warm enough where you are, feel free to hang outside too!
Step 4: Tape It Up
Pop your balloon! Here's your little piñata head! Next, take your masking tape and cover the whole shell in tape. Make sure to cover the bottom where you took the balloon out. This will be where the candy sits, so make sure you reinforce it with the tape as much as possible. Do the same for any weak or missed spots.
Step 5: PAINT!
This is the fun part! I covered my entire piñata in white paint to give me a good base and to help make my colors pop. The second layer of paint (your designs) will dry faster and look more vibrant if you choose to do a full white base coat. It does take a good amount of time for paint to dry over the masking tape, so if you're pressed for time- use a hair dryer on the cool setting. This will speed things up a bit! Now you can customize your piñata however you'd like! We went for a design similar to the balloons we have in our store with jewel accented eyes and a bright pink base.
Step 6: Put in Your Candy
Next, we get to fill it up. Cut a hole in the top of the piñata head. Load the candy (we picked chocolate YUM)!!! Use an exacto knife to cut a small hole in the piece you cut out. Feed your ribbon or rope through the piece you’ve cut out. Then tie the end of the ribbon to a dowel, a pencil, or anything longer than the hole you made on top. We chose to use a butter knife as it was the most stable thing we tested.
Step 7: Hang It Up and Knock It Out
Use the ribbon or rope to tie your piñata to whatever you'd like! Just make sure you're not too close to windows or any valuables in case of a rogue piñata player.
Enjoy!