Although pinatas are commonly linked to Mexico, they in fact began in China, where Marco Polo is thought to have first come across paper animal figures stuffed with seeds. Once the structure was struck, the seeds spilled out, the paper was set alight, and the ashes were gathered as a symbol of good fortune. According to reports, Marco Polo carried the concept back to Italy, where it became connected with Lent celebrations and adopted the name “pignatta,” orpot. The custom spread across New Spain—which included Mexico—and the United States, where it continues to be a traditional birthday party or Christmas pastime.
Tip
Paper mache may create quite a mess, so use precautions to shield your work surface and anything else the paste could touch.
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
- 2 Large bowls
Materials
- Large, circular balloon
- Newsprint
- Paper mache mixture
- Paint
- Crepe paper
- Tissue paper
- Cord, yarn, or fishing line
- Painter’s tape
Instructions
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Inflate the Balloon
Inflate your balloon until it reaches its maximum size. Take a bowl large enough for the balloon to rest on and line it with plastic wrap. Place the balloon over the bowl.
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Tear the Newspaper
Pull several newspaper sheets apart into strips. Tearing them instead of cutting helps the pieces rest smoothly against the balloon. Each strip should measure roughly 1 inch wide and 6 to 8 inches long. Place them beside the balloon for later use.
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Prepare the Paste
Select a paper mache paste formula; the easiest option is no-cook paste. Prepare it in a glass or metal bowl, since removing the paste from plastic is more difficult.
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Attach the Newspaper to the Balloon
Place the newspaper strips in the paste you prepared. Remove excess adhesive from each strip by pulling it between your pinched fingers. Then smooth the newspaper over the balloon.
Continue this process, laying the strips in various directions until the balloon is fully covered. Leave a small opening around the tied end so you can take out the balloon and add the pinata filling. Allow the initial layer to dry.
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Apply Additional Layers
Cover the balloon with two or three additional layers of papier-mâché. Let every layer dry thoroughly before adding another. After it has dried, burst the balloon and pull it out through the opening.
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Adorn the Pinata
Painting your pinata with vivid patterns is the quickest way to decorate it. Once the paint has dried, attach crepe paper streamers to the bottom. You might also wrap crepe paper strips around the pinata and snip fringe along their edges. Another option is to embellish the pinata with tissue-paper squares.
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Suspend the Pinata
To suspend your pinata, make four evenly spaced small holes around the larger opening at the top. Pass a length of string, yarn, or fishing line through each hole, then knot all the pieces together above it. Hide the holes and reinforce the string with strips of masking tape. Attach a longer string to this support and use it to hang the pinata—just be sure to fill it with candy or small party favors before playing!