Piñata is a traditional Mexican party game that was created by Spanish settlers in Mexico. Like most of the best party games its appeal rests in its simplicity. All you need to play is a piñata, a stick and some material to make blindfolds.

Piñatas are large models made from papier-mâché or other breakable materials that are filled with sweets or toys. At a party or celebration piñatas are hung from a tree branch or ceiling just above head height. Players then cue up and take turns to hit the piñata with a stick whilst wearing blindfolds. If they can break open the piñata they win the contents.

Part of the appeal of piñatas is the designs. They are usually brightly coloured in amusing shapes. Traditional designs resemble people and animals (particularly) donkeys. Nowadays all kinds of designs can be made to order such as cartoon characters and caricatures.

Piñatas can be bought from manufacturers or made at home. Usually shops selling piñatas will offer a variety of different wacky designs. The following directions show you how to make a traditional piñata design.

To make a Piñata you will need the following:

• A balloon
• Some old newspaper
• Glue paste
• Scissors
• Poster Paints

Note: If children are going to make the Piñata you may want a responsible adult near by to help out.

• Start off by inflating a balloon and securing a knot in the end to form the body of the piñata. The larger the balloon is the larger your piñata will be. You can use more than balloon if you want, as long as you have enough treats to fill it!
• Next take the old newspaper and cut it into strips. Pour some glue paste with water in equal amounts into a bowl and mix it together. Take the strips of newspaper and soak them in the glue mix. While they are still wet apply them to the entire surface of the balloon on top of each other in three or four layers.
• Take your covered balloon and put it in an airing cupboard or other dry room for a day or so. When all the paper hardens your balloon should be ready. You will be able to test if your balloon is ready by tapping it and listening for a hollow sound. Use your scissors to poke through the paper coating and pop the balloon. On one side of the balloon cut a hole so that you can fill your piñata with treats.
• Now you are ready for one of the best parts of building a piñata, painting it! In order to cover the thick papier-mâché you will need to use a thick mixture of poster paints in more than one coat.
• After leaving the paint to dry for an hour or two you will be ready to fill it! Pour the treats into the hole and your piñata is finished! To play with it simply hang it from a string from the ceiling or from a low branch of a tree with the hole facing towards the top. When the piñata is hit from beneath the treats will fly out for everyone to enjoy!

This method makes a traditional, round piñata. To make other designs, such as animals, try attaching household items such as yoghurt pots for legs and kitchen roll tubes for tails. With the right paints you can also add distinguishing features to add a little more character.