Balloon Pinata

Make a balloon piñata, a Latin American holiday custom, and turn any occasion into a real party.

Balloon Pinata Cinco de Mayo Craft
Balloon Pinata Cinco de Mayo Craft


What You'll Need:

Balloon
Newspaper
Large bowl
Water
Flour
Paint
Paintbrush
Yarn
Candy and toys (optional)
Broom handle or bat
Blindfold

To make a balloon piñata, tear newspaper into strips. Mix flour and water together to make a paste. Blow up a balloon, and cover it with strips of newspaper dipped in the flour and water paste. Cover the balloon completely. Allow it to dry for a day or 2, turning it occasionally during that time.

When the balloon is dry, paint it in bright, decorative colors. Then, with adult help, cut the top off the balloon and punch several holes around the top edge. Thread yarn through the holes, tie them together, and hang up your piñata. Fill the balloon with candy or toys if you want to use it (and break it) for the piñata game!

Piñatas Part of Mexican History

Piñatas were first made by Mexican Indians long before the Spaniards ever explored the Americas. The Spanish explorers helped popularize the piñata after their arrival by bringing the custom back to Spain and Portugal. Today piñatas are widely used in Mexico and in many other parts of the world as part of holiday celebrations.

Colorful piñatas are filled with candy or toys and hung as holiday decorations. Later, children play a piñata game. They gather in a circle around the piñata, and players take turns being blindfolded and striking at the piñata with a stick as the other players sing. When the piñata finally breaks, all the players scramble for the goodies!

If you're making a piñata for a Cinco de Mayo party, check out our pretty Cinco de Mayo Flowers on the next page to use as party decorations.

For more fun activities and crafts for kids, see: