LA
A
B
C
D
E
cement the pieces together. Let each layer dry
before applying the next one.
6. CREATE THE LEGS
The legs are made from empty paper towel
and toilet paper tubes (Figure C). Attach the leg
segments using masking tape, then wrap a few
layers of papier-mâché strips around them to give
them strength. In these photos, the front of the
spider’s body had to be propped up until the legs
had enough strength to support its weight (Figure D).
9. PAINT THE PIÑATA (OPTIONAL)
I spray-painted this piñata before decorating
it, to get an idea of how the colors would look when
fully decorated, but this step isn’t necessary.
10.
WEAKEN A THICK WALL
If your piñata wall seems too thick,
weaken it by stabbing it repeatedly with a small knife.
7. POP THE BALLOONS
Once the papier-mâché sculpture is finished,
cut a small hole in each balloon section to pop the
balloons and remove them. Cover the small holes
with papier-mâché or even some masking tape.
8. ADD THE HOOK
Adding the hook is one of the most important
parts of making a piñata, because the hook has
to bear the weight of the filled piñata. First cut a
piece of hanger wire or other stiff wire and, using
long-nose pliers, bend it around a small piece of
cardboard. Cut the piñata open somewhere on its
side and insert the cardboard and wire. Then punch
the wire through the top and center of the piñata
from the inside.
Once the wire is sticking out the top, bend it into a
hook using pliers. Then close up the hole on the side
of the piñata using papier-mâché, or masking tape,
since you’ll cover it with decoration anyway.
11. DECORATE!
Use your imagination when decorating!
I usually use crepe paper instead of paint because
it hides any flaws, and looks festive when it’s fluffed
up. Cut ¼"-wide fringe into a crepe paper streamer,
then use white glue to attach the crepe paper to the
piñata. I wanted to create a variety of textures on
the spider piñata, so I used snipped crepe paper on
the legs with finer snips at the joints (Figure E), and
unsnipped crepe paper on the shell-like prosoma.
To create the “hairy” abdomen on the spider, I applied
spray-on adhesive and then pressed on loose handfuls of shredded, black gift-bag tissue paper.
12. FILL THE PIÑATA
Use scissors or a small knife to cut a small
door in the top of the piñata for filling. Fill the piñata
with candy and toys. Fold the door back down and it
will usually be hard to spot.
13. TAKE A SWING AT IT
Party time! Hang the piñata and let the
whacking commence!
NOTE: When inserting the cardboard and wire, For more piñata-making tips and examples,
make sure it’s from the side and not the top of visit my website
pinataboy.com.
the piñata, as you don’t want to weaken the area
from which the piñata will be hanging.
