Papier-Mache Pinata

Age Range: 5 - 17 years
Time Required: 1 hour
Fundamental: World Guiding

The Pinata was first used in Italy during the Renaissance. The custom spread to Spain and then Mexico.
Make a Papier-Mache Pinata, fill it with treats and then break it with family & friends to celebrate an event.

Materials Needed

  • Many strips of newspaper
  • A thin paste of flour & water in a bowl
  • A balloon
  • String
  • A cover to protect the table
  • Paints or crepe paper & glue to decorate when finished
  • Wrapped Lollies
  • A newspaper rolled into a baton & taped

    Younger Guides make need a hand to set up an area where they can make a mess and to add the string.

Instructions

  1. Blow up a balloon to the size you would like your pinata.
  2. Prepare an area where you can make mess, cover the table so it will be easier to clean up.
  3. Tear your newspaper into strips about 3cm wide. You will notice that the newspaper tears easily one way but not the other.
  4. Take a strip of paper and dip it quickly into the flour & water paste.
  5. Place over balloon. Repeat until the whole balloon is covered.
  6. Tie a piece of string around your balloon so the pinata can easily be hung up when dry.
  7. Add another layer of paper & paste to your pinata. The thicker the paper mache the stronger your pinata will be.
  8. Leave your pinata to dry (may take a day or two). Clean up the table straight away while the paste is still wet.
  9. When dry, carefully cut a small slit or hole in the top of you pinata so you can add your treats.
  10. Decorate your pinata using paint or crepe paper streamers. Pinatas can be decorated to represent animals, people, cakes or anything.
  11. When you are ready to celebrate tie up your pinata, grab a blindfold and your baton and have a swing. Take it in turn so it's fun for everyone!

As a Girl Guide, How Can I Lead This Activity?

Make this to celebrate another Guides Birthday!

As a Unit Leader, How Can I Make This Activity Girl Led?

If girls suggest a celebration this activity could be used.
Many could be made to celebrate the first week of Guides back at the hall.
Could be suggested as part of a Mexico, Our Cabana, World Centers themed night.

As a Unit, how can we make sure everyone is included?

Guides could discuss their design ideas beforehand and show their pinata after it is made.

Follow Up Questions and Reflections

What can we do differently next time?
What other activities could you do with your new skills?
How did it make you feel?
What did you like or dislike?
What did you learn?

Activity source and acknowledgements

Ideas taken from WAGGGS Resource- Mexican Fiesta and Papier-Mache, Book 1 a Whitman Creative Art Book

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