Wednesday 27 April 2011

How To Make a Pinata - Cerial boxes and crepe paper.

Pinata's are great for kids parties.
We had one for Kate's and two(!) for Maeve's this year.
They give very good entertainment for maybe 20 minutes or more.

Mr Grumpy and Miss Naughty Pinatas

They're easy enough to make (for adults), a little bit time consuming.
1. Get a big cerial box and tape the bottom up.
 (or tape a few together to get interesting shapes)
2. Attach string very firmly, this has proven to be the weak point in ours.
3. Get coloured crepe paper, cut the crepe paper in about 3 inch strips and snip cuts all along one side about 2 inch deep. Cut multiple sheets at once.
4. Start at bottom and glue a strip all way round box with the cut tabs down and not glued.
5. Work way up the box overlapping the crepe paper. You can go for one colour or mix colours.
6. Stick on noses, mouths, arms, feet (paper or foam or ...) (the nose is attached with string on inside so that when whacked off it swings)
7. Load your Pinata up with sweets, close the top (keeping string accessible) and 
8. Pick a place in house or garden and pick out weapons and blindfolds.

 * A jumper or too big hat works well as blindfold as it goes on or off fast - no fiddling with knots.

 * WATCH out for backswing!! 2 adults to mind Queue and Pinata bashing are good.

 * At the end help the little/timid kids to get something!

 * Starting with a weak bat and stopping to hunt for better bats (planted beforehand) adds to the fun.

Disco Pinata for Kate's birthday.



Crepe strips for layering:
________________________________________________
| glue          glue          glue              |
|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |   |
|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|___|

For friends & family:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1676749154765&set=a.1625222146622.2078486.1118555017

Most instructions on internet say use papier mache but these are a bit easier.
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/how-to-make-toys3.htm