This hot-air balloon pinata is great for first time makers -- and it makes for a nice big target for little pinateros.
| Prep Time: Afternoon or Evening | |
| What you need: | |
| 14-inch balloon, inflated
10-inch bowl One batch papier-mâché paste 1 two-page spread each of regular newspaper and the comic pages 32-oz. plastic yogurt container, cut in half horizontally String Hole punch Glue stick 5 sheets of tissue paper in bright colors, cut into 3 1/2-inch squares 4 lbs. of individually wrapped candies | |
| Seasons: Birthday | |
| Materials: balloons, food items, paper, paper mache, plastic tubs, string | |
| Instructions: | |
| 1. |  For stability while working, place the balloon in a 10-inch
bowl. Fold the spread of newspaper in half and then in half
again. Tear (don't cut) 1 1/2-inch-wide strips so they have a
slightly rough edge (tearing along a straight edge works well).
The rough edges help make a smooth overall surface. Drag a strip
of newspaper through the
papier-mâché paste, wipe off any
excess with your fingers, and place it at an angle on the
balloon. Place the second strip so that it slightly overlaps the
first. Continue until the balloon has been covered with one layer
of paper strips--except for a 2-inch square at the top, through
which the candy will go. Give the papier-mâché up to 24
hours to dry. Cover your leftover paste with plastic wrap so it
doesn't dry out (if it does, add warm water). |
| 2. |  For the piñata's hanger, wrap the midpoint of a length
of string (doubled up, if necessary) around the bottom of the
balloon, pulling the ends up to the top; tape it to the balloon
in a few places. Knot together the ends of the string 6 inches
above the top. Tape the top half of the yogurt container to the
bottom of the balloon. This will become the neck of the hot air
balloon. |
| 3. |  Cover the balloon (including the string), the neck and the
bottom half of the yogurt container (which will become the hot
air balloon basket) with a layer of strips of comics, placing
them at a different angle from the first layer. (Using different
colored strips lets you distinguish one layer from the next,
ensuring a uniform overall thickness.) Allow the second layer to
dry. |
| 4. |  Cover the balloon, neck and basket with strips of plain
newsprint going in a third direction. Smooth over any rough edges
as you work. Allow the balloon to dry thoroughly. |
| 5. |  Punch four holes into the neck of the hot air balloon and
four into the basket. Attach string to the neck about 3 1/2
inches from the base of the balloon to later suspend the
basket. |
| 6. |  Dot the corners of a tissue square with a glue stick and
place it just to the side of the 2-inch square on the top of the
balloon. Follow with other squares in the same color, working
your way diagonally down around the balloon. When you get to the
bottom, start at the top again in another color, fitting the
squares into a houndstooth pattern. If you want to add streamers,
cut 2- by 30-inch lengths of tissue paper and glue them onto
matching colored squares about halfway down. |
| 7. | Cover the basket with squares of tissue in different colors. Attach the basket to the balloon. Puncture the uncovered part of the balloon at the top of the piñata and remove all of the balloon fragments. Make sure the inside of the piñata is completely dry before you fill it, so the candy won't stick to the sides. Fill it about halfway with the candy. Cover the opening with some tissue squares, and your piñata is ready to hang. |
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