Make a piñata
Make a homemade piñata using balloon, papier mache, tissue paper, and string; decorate it and fill with treats for a safe party activity.
About this activity
Make a homemade piñata using balloon, papier mache, tissue paper, and string; decorate it and fill with treats for a safe party activity.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Blow up the balloon to the size you want and tie a knot.
- 2
Step 2
Tape a loop of string to the knotted end of the balloon so it can hang.
- 3
Step 3
Tear newspaper into strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.
- 4
Step 4
Make papier-mâché paste by mixing 1 cup flour with 1½ cups water until smooth.
- 5
Step 5
Dip a newspaper strip into the paste and press it to the balloon.
- 6
Step 6
Keep adding dipped strips and smooth each one until the balloon is covered but leave a 4-inch hole for filling.
- 7
Step 7
Add two more full layers of pasted strips over the first layer to make the piñata sturdy.
- 8
Step 8
Leave the piñata to dry completely for about 24 hours until hard.
- 9
Step 9
Carefully pop the balloon with a pin once the papier-mâché is dry.
- 10
Step 10
Pull the deflated balloon pieces out through the hole.
- 11
Step 11
Trim the edge of the hole neatly with scissors.
- 12
Step 12
Cut tissue paper into long strips and fringe one side of each strip.
- 13
Step 13
Glue the fringed tissue strips around the piñata in overlapping rows to decorate.
- 14
Step 14
Fill the piñata with treats through the hole and then seal the hole with a glued paper circle.
- 15
Step 15
Share a photo of your finished piñata on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you make a homemade piñata with a balloon and papier-mâché?
To make a homemade piñata, inflate a balloon to desired size and knot it. Mix papier-mâché paste (1 part flour to 1 part water or watered-down white glue). Dip newspaper strips, smooth over the balloon in overlapping layers, letting each layer dry; apply 2–4 layers. Pop and remove the balloon once dry. Cut a hole, insert treats, attach a strong loop of string, then cover with fringed tissue paper and decorate. Adult supervision recommended for drying and popping.
What materials do I need to make a balloon piñata?
You'll need balloons, newspaper for papier-mâché, tissue paper for fringe, flour or white glue for paste, a mixing bowl and spoon, scissors, paint or markers for decorating, a length of strong string or rope for hanging, tape, a brush for paste, and treats or small toys to fill. Optional items: glitter, stickers, or a balloon pump. Choose age-appropriate treats and avoid choking hazards for young children.
What ages is making a homemade piñata suitable for?
This activity suits kids aged about 5 and up with adult help. Children 5–7 enjoy tearing paper, brushing paste, and decorating; they need supervision for scissors and glue. Ages 8–12 can handle more of the papier-mâché steps and assembly with guidance. For toddlers, make decorating stations with pre-made piñatas or let them add stickers to avoid small parts and wet paste. Always supervise popping and hanging.
Is making and using a piñata safe for kids, and how can I keep it safe?
Safety tips: supervise the whole project and use non-toxic glue and paints. Securely attach the hanging loop and test weight before parties. For younger children use a pull-string piñata or let kids take turns gently pulling rather than hitting; if striking, use a soft foam bat and protect faces and windows. Avoid small, hard candies for toddlers; choose soft treats, small toys, or stickers. Clean up papier-mâché debris promptly to prevent slips.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of flour paste or tissue paper if I can't find them?
Use equal parts white school glue diluted with a little water instead of the 1 cup flour + 1½ cups water paste, and replace tissue paper (step 'Cut tissue paper') with crepe paper or fringed colored printer paper.
The papier-mâché is still soft after 24 hours; how can I fix it?
If layers stay soft, smooth off excess paste when applying strips, increase airflow or use a low-heat hair dryer to finish drying, and make sure you added the two extra full layers for sturdiness as instructed.
How should I adapt the steps for younger kids or older kids?
For toddlers, have an adult inflate the balloon, tape the loop, mix and apply the paste, and handle scissors and the pin while children press pre-dipped newspaper strips and glue fringed tissue (steps 'Dip a newspaper strip' and 'Glue the fringed tissue'), whereas older kids can mix the 1 cup flour + 1½ cups water paste, apply the two extra full layers, trim the hole, and decorate independently.
How can we make the piñata stronger or more fun?
Make it stronger by adding one or two extra full layers of pasted newspaper around the knotted end before drying, then personalize it by painting designs after you pop the balloon, gluing themed fringed tissue in overlapping rows (step 'Glue the fringed tissue'), and attaching ribbon tails to the taped loop.