Make Your Own Piñata!

What You Need:

• Measuring cups
• Scissors
• Mixing bowl
• 1 balloon
• 6-8 cups water
• Finger paint
• 3-4 cups flour
• Masking tape
• Newspaper
• Large spoon
• Piñata fillers such as candy, toys, etc.

What You Do:

1. Have your child use safety scissors to cut newspaper into several long strips. Then blow up the balloon and set these materials aside for later.
2. Make the papier-mâché mixture. Mix 1 cup flour with 2 cups water in a mixing bowl with a large spoon. Continue this until you have mixed about 4 cups of flour and 8 cups of water and get a gluey consistency. If using a larger balloon, you may need more mixture. You can add a few tablespoons of salt to prevent molding.
3. Have your child help you dip the newspaper strips into the mixture and place around the balloon. Continue until the balloon is covered in strips. Let dry.
4. After the piñata is dry, help your child to paint it using fingerpaint. You can decorate the pinata as a (roundish) animal, such as a bumblebee, pig, or tropical fish, or simply make a creative design. Let dry.
5. After the paint is completely dry and the paper has hardened, use scissors to cut a small door in one side of the piñata, and puncture the balloon. Next, fill the piñata with candy or toys. Close the door and tape it tightly shut.

Now you're ready to party! The kids will love having friends or family over to break the piñata with a bat. It's a fun way to exercise creativity and practice and fine motor skills, so get started!