How to make a piñata.

1 large balloon

1 cup flour

1/2 cup water

a squeeze of two of white glue

newspaper torn (not cut) into strips

for decorating

colored tissue

streamers

thin cardboard

decorations, glitter, gems...

hole punch

string

rope or strong cord

candies and small trinkets

Inflate the balloon (just air, not helium).

Tie the balloon with a string to hang it up.

Make papier-mâché paste, by combining flour, a little water, and a little glue. Keep mixing until the consistency of glue has been reached.

Soak newspaper strips in paste, squeeze off excess, and lay over the balloon.

Continue adding strips, slightly overlapping them, cover the entire balloon, except a small opening at the top for putting in candy and small toys.

Add a second layer, then let dry 24 hours.

Add two more layers of papier-mâché, let dry 24 hours.

Now for the real fun.

Glue on the colored tissue paper.

a hole punch (ein Locher)

English: A common single hole punch.

English: Hole punch plier Deutsch: Lochzange

To make fringe, cut the streamers every 1/4 inch. Wrap around the piñata,

Make cones from the cardboard, decorate and attach to make a star.

If the balloon is still inflated, pop it.

With the hole punch, punch a hole at the top by the opening, and another hole on the opposite side of the opening.

Loop string though the holes, tie off.

Fill the piñata with candies and small toys.

Tie a rope to the sting.