I love celebrating my children's birthdays. With three kids and a niece, I've DIY'd my life out when it comes to birthday parties. I let my children pick the theme they want and I go from there. I like to DIY a lot of items for my children's parties for two reasons, one to save money (I'm always on a budget!) and two, I like having unique items. I love the challenge that comes form making each party different than the last. One thing I definitely make them are pinatas. A pinata is the number one requested item every year so I have learned to make my own and for cheap. I'm talking under $5 cheap! Adrian's party theme this year is MARVEL Avengers Assemble (again!) and here's the pinata I whipped up in under one hour!
Here's a tip for themed party planning from a seasoned expert (me!): purchase a couple themed items like tablecloths, cake plates, cups, loot bags and a fun item like masks. The rest can be solid colors that match the theme. I learned this early on and have saved hundreds on parties!
To make a MARVEL Avengers pinata, or any themed pinata, you need a few supplies.
-themed plastic tablecloth-an empty box (you choose the size depending on the amount of children attending the party)-paper streamer (in colors that match your theme)-scissors-glue
Step 1: Lay out the tablecloth and pick the scene you want on your pinata. For my Avengers pinata, I made sure I used a scene where all four characters appear. I cut two of these (one for the front, one for the back of the pinata)
Step 2: Glue or tape the tablecloth scene to the box. It doesn't matter if the tablecloth doesn't cover all the way, you will cover it later!
Step 3: Take one roll of streamer and measure to the side of your box. Then cut more streamer that same size to cover the box by overlapping. For example, I cut 12 strips the same size to cover one side of the box.
Step 4: Stack your cut streamer and cut into the stack (as pictured below). Do not cut all the way to the top, leave about 1/2 an inch solid on top.
Step 5: Glue your streamer to the box one strip at a time. Make sure the strips overlap each other.
Step 6: Continue glueing your strips until the whole side of the box is covered. Then repeat on the other side and bottom. If there is excess streamer hanging off the side of the box, just trim it with a scissor.
NOTE: You need to make a flap on the top of the box to insert candy or toys into your pinata. I take my scissors and just cut a square about 2 x 2 inches.
Once you have covered all the sides with streamer, your pinata should look like this!
Step 7: Grab your streamer and cut about 1 inch strips. Cut a lot.
Step 8: Crumble the streamer pieces.
Step 9: Now you are gong to glue the crumbled streamer to the cardboard that is still showing on the front and back of your pinata. Just dab glue on the cardboard and press a crumbled paper piece on top.
Step 9: Continue all the way around covering all the cardboard and the edges of the tablecloth. Repeat on the back.
TA-DA!! You made a pinata. I told you it was easy! All you do now is fill it with candy and hang it from a tree for the kids to whack at it!
I purchased all my pinata-making and birthday party supplies at Walmart in the American Greetings party section. They have so many fun themes available so you are sure to find your child's favorite!!
Birthday parties are so fun. I really hope my kids don't outgrow themed parties any time soon! What kind of things do you DIY for parties? Have you ever made a pinata?
