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Kids love piñatas but often the ones bought at party stores are both over-priced and under-fun. However, you can make a wonderful, professional-looking piñata from low-cost materials and best of all, you can fill it with whatever prizes will interest your group most.
Needed: round balloon, newspaper, white glue, water, light-weight cardboard, 1 three-inch foam ball, masking tape, heavy cord, paint (orange and black).
Instructions: Blow up balloon. Tear newspaper into short thin strips. Pour ½ bottle of glue into large bowl and thin with water until it is about the consistency of skim milk. Dip paper strips in glue mixture, run strip gently between two fingers to "wring" out excess and then place on balloon. Continue placing dipped strips until balloon is completely covered, except for very small (about 1" round) spot on side. Allow to dry completely.
Cut foam ball in half and use masking tape to tape foam ball halves to paper-covered balloon for goldfish eyes. Use plenty of masking tape and cover foam completely as you tape eyes on. Cut fins and tail from lightweight cardboard and masking tape them to the fish balloon body. Cut 6-inch piece of strong cord for hanging fish. Tie knot in end of cord to make a circle. Tape knotted end of cord to top of fish. Cover fish with new layer of dipped paper, being sure to cover fins, knot of cord and eyes completely - but do not cover loose cord loop and leave small amount of balloon showing through on side. Allow to dry 24 hours in a warm, dry place.
When fish is totally dry, puncture balloon by sticking with a pin in the bare spot on the side of the fish. Balloon will contract slowly, separating from paper shell. Remove balloon. Fill fish with treats, enlarging hole slightly with scissors if necessary. After filling, cover whole with layer of masking tape strips, then again with layer of dipped paper. Allow to dry thoroughly again.
Paint fish orange. Paint on details, such as eyes, scales, mouth, and etc. with black paint. Allow to dry.
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