How to Make a Pumpkin Pinata

There are two ways to make a homemade piñata; you can paper-mache a balloon, or you can use cardboard and tape.  For piñatas that are meant to be round you would more than likely choose the paper-mache version, however if you are looking for a custom shape, then cardboard and tape is the way to go.  In this tutorial I’m going to show you how to make a pumpkin piñata using cardboard and tape.

What you will need:

• Cardboard (not too thick or stiff)
• Orange and black crepe paper streamers
• Black card
• Elmer’s school glue
• Tape
• Scissors
• X-ACTO knife
• Cable tie

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To make:

Step 1:

Make sure your cardboard isn’t too stiff.  You want kids to be able to break it open, so test out a small area that you don’t need first to make sure that it will break.

The cardboard I used was from an Elmer’s tri-fold board that I had left over from a project I had made the week before.  A regular packing box should work just fine too.

Step 2:

Draw the shape of your piñata on the board.  Cut out one piece, then use that as a stencil for a second piece (one for the front, and one for the back of your piñata.

Step 3:

Cut long strips of board approximately 3-4 inches wide.  The strips will need to be long enough to go all the way around the edge of the pumpkin shape.

Also cut a small strip about 2 inches wide to make the stalk of the pumpkin (or you could pre-cut the shape make it part of the initial pumpkin.

Step 4:

Fold and bend the cardboard so that it freely moves when rolled up, this will make it easier to do the next part which is to attach it to the main pumpkin piece using tape, just like this:

Step 5:

Using your X-ACTO knife cut a small flap in the top of the piñata for popping candy in.

Step 6:

Cut strips of crepe paper streamers.  Using your scissors make a fun fringe on each piece, then attach it to the pumpkin using glue.

You will need to do this over the front, back, and sides in orange, then using the black (or green) do the stalk.

Don’t forget to do the little flap for the candy separately so it’s easy to open.

Step 7:

Punch a hole in either side of the stalk and thread a cable tie through.  You can hang string off this to hang your piñata from a tree, or beam.

Step 8:

Cut a fun Jack O’Lantern face from black card and attach using the glue. Set aside to dry.

Fill your piñata with candy and hang outside.