Pumpkin Piñata Tutorial

Did you ever make a paper mache globe when you were in elementary school? I remember it being so awesome but I didn't get to kill it with a bat & get lots of candy afterwards like you do a piñata...

Also making a piñata is way better & it's super easy. After my bff Chris & I racked our brains thinking of the cheapest way to make a piñata for her 10.10.10 birthday party this past weekend, we came up with this fine recipe.  Wanna make one? OK go grab the goods & let's get started.



First get your balloon ready by blowing it up- we wanted a really big piñata so Chris bought a big one with thicker skin {balloon $4 bought at Zurchers}

Chris' cheeks really hurt after blowing this sucker up! {it's really big I promise}

This would be a good time to tear up your strips of paper or newspaper. We used some paper Chris' tenants left in one of her rental homes {yes I said one of- she has 2! so guys if you read my blog- she's available} After tearing a few strips up only about 1inch & a 1/2 wide- we came to the conclusion that tearing them that small would take us forever so we ended up with about 3 inch strips.

We were going to go & buy craft glue- for the next part but decided we would go the old fashioned path using the flour & water = glue mix way. {plus we saved $5- $10} keep in mind this recipe is for a REALLY BIG balloon- you may want to 1/2 the recipe if your piñata is on the smaller scale.

Step 1) Boil 6 cups of water in a pot

Step 2) Put 2 cups of flour in a separate bowl 

Step 3) Add 2 cups of room temperature water to the flour & whisk away

Step 4) Pour the flour mixer into the boiling water & whisk away again making sure there are no        lumps (no you're not making gravy) 

We wanted to watch Glee while we did this project so I threw a large beach town down on the living room floor. Also you'll want a large bowl to set the balloon on while you're attaching the paper to it to avoid getting glue all over the floor. {we used a colander}

Spread the glue onto the strips of paper & start laying them horizontally onto the balloon

We went at it from both sides

After you've gone around the entire balloon horizontally do a second layer vertically. Then repeat the horizontal step again & if you really want a super sturdy piñata repeat the vertical step one more time = 4 layers of paper strips.

Next let your amazing piece of work dry for 2 days! {if you don't want your very curious 12 yr old son - who was sleeping while you made this- to not touch this wet goopy ball of awesome - put a sign on it} 

p.s. that rad art work behind the ball was created by my friend Marsha

Ok it's been 2 days! I set a fan in front of the piñata to get it really dry. Also remember to turn it every so often.

Now it's time to start cutting your crepe paper {I bought ours at the $1 store} We used 3 rolls. 

We ended up cutting the paper smaller than we originally started. Half the size that is in the picture. {about an inch} 

Chris cut both sides- then she cut through the middle to cut the strips in half

You'll need some more cheap glue for the next part- so get your butt back in the kitchen- this time on a smaller scale

Step 1) Boil 2 cups of water in a pot

Step 2) Put 3/4 cups of flour in a separate bowl 

Step 3) Add 3/4 cups of room temperature water to the flour & whisk away

Step 4) Pour the flour mixer into the boiling water & whisk away again making sure there are no        lumps 

Then start layering. We started at the bottom & discovered {like I mentioned before} shorter  strips worked better. Spread the glue kind of thick {a sponge brush works great .49 at michaels} & then layer like crazy.

This part is really fun. They don't need to be very straight- just go to town making sure you cover all the white up. 

We waited another day to put the face on. We used black fabric because I didn't have black paper & I'm a border line fabric hoarder. This time we used craft glue I had on hand. No template we just kind of winged it. Triangles for the eyes & nose & a totally typical pumpkin mouth.

To hang it- I took an exact- o knife & cut little holes big enough to string some rope through- then I tide a knot at the top

Now fill it with the good stuff cause this party is for you & your friends- not your kids after all...

Lastly- We taped the hat on by rolling the tape- then sticking it under the hat fringe. The hat made it so we didn't have to worry about the hole on the top.

Pretty cute huh! I'm loving the layers- sort of makes me want to make a skirt like this

Next we partied like 30 something year olds do! 

Elin's funny

After discovering we had no where to hang the piñata-{we were in park city at a resort for the birthday party} our friend Chris sacrificed his body to hold it.

Even when you're in your late 20's & 30's you still go crazy for the candy!

                                                      that's my husband  ↴