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In this example we are going to a simple balloon shaped pinata. The beauty of paper mache is, however, that you can change and adapt it quite easily. From this simple balloon shape you could paint it to be an animal or face or hotair balloon or easter egg. If you wanted you can add on larger modifications using cardboard for "ears" or a "nose". Step 1: 
Make sure you have all necessary items
close at hand and prepare a work area by spreading out newspaper. It
is also wise to have an old towel close at hand to clean up spills
and messy hands.Step 2: Cut up some newspaper into strips approximately 1/2 wide by 4 inches long...these will be what you paste onto the balloon. Blow up the balloon and stabilize it by sitting in on top of a bowl or cup. Mix 2 cups water with about 1/4 cup flour (these portions do not have to be exact, you just need enough flour to make the water really cloudy). Step 3: Dip the newspaper strips into the flour/water mixture...be sure to get the entire strip wet. Put the wet strip onto the balloon. Step 4: 
Repeat step 3 until balloon has been completely covered by paper except for a small hole at the bottom. This should not be an orderly process. The paper mache will be stronger if the newspaper strips overlap, and the more you layer them the stronger it will be. A paper mache balloon that is only one layer thick will easily crush when held, but a paper mache balloon that has many layers can be quite strong. Step 5: Allow the paper to dry on the balloon overnight. The more layers you have put on, the longer it will take to dry out. Step 6: Pop the Balloon! (and remove remains) Step 7: Insert candy through the opening left in the bottom of the paper mache shape. Step 8: Cover over the hole with a new batch of paper mache strips using the same method as before...allow to dry overnight. Step 9: 
Paint your Pinata! This is where you can really get creative. My children of course, just enjoy the act of setting brush to material...and we ended up with a somewhat rainbowish effect. If you try this project (or one like it) send me the picture and I'll post it here for others to see and glean inspiration from. Frugal Auburn: The Corner News and the Auburn Plainsman are both free newspapers in the area. You can get the Plainsman from the public library or the Corner News are usually around other newspaper stands. This is free material for this project...after you read them first, of course. |