How to make a Cupcake Pinata, no craft skills required!

14 Sep 2011 4 Comments

by Nikki in Klever Kids Tags: , , , , ,

This very cute Cupcake Pinata is so easy to make, you don’t need any amazing craft skills, just a couple of days to allow for the glue to dry and you are done.

At my daughters last party, she decided she wanted to have a Pinata, and as her party was cupcake themed I tried in vein to find a ready made one, but no luck. So with thinking cap on and not much time I devised this simple alternative and it worked a treat. Just remember it does not have to be perfect as it is going to have the life belted out of it in no time.

What you will need:-

  • 1 x 2 litre empty Icecream Container
  • Cling Wrap
  • 1 Newspaper
  • 1 Sheet of Gift Wrap (to match your colour scheme)
  • 3 Sheets of Tissue Paper
  • Sticky Tape
  • Little Fluffy Balls
  • Curling ribbon
  • 1/2 cup of Cornflour
  • 1/2 cup of Water
  • 1 Paintbrush
  • A collection of sweets and treats for inside the pinata, just ensure that all lollies or chocolates are individually wrapped as they will hit the floor before they hit the mouth
  • A stick, broom or baseball bat to hit the pinata with

Step 1 – Combine the cornflour and water in a small saucepan, and over gentle heat stir continuously until it thickens (don’t worry if you get a few lumps in it, they disappear when it goes cold). Set aside until it is cold.

Step 2 – Line the outside of the icecream container with cling wrap and fold the excess inside the container.

Step 3 – Tear the newspaper into strips, about 20cm long and 5cm wide. They don’t have to be perfectly the same size, as any size will do.

Step 4 – Using the paint brush apply the cornflour ‘glue’ to one side of the newspaper strip, and start sticking to the outside of the covered icecream container. I did try and keep the top rim quite neat and not hanging over inside into the icecream container. I also did one layer vertical and then the next horizontal. Between each layer, allow the glue to dry completely and continue until you have built up 5 layers. Do not worry if you have a few lumpy bumpy bits in your newspaper, as all ‘sins’ will be hidden under the gift wrap.

Step 5 – When the last layer is completely dry, gently release from the cling wrap. It will come away easily.

Step 6 – Take about 4 metres of curling ribbon (string or wool will do if that is what you have handy), fold it in half and tie around the newspaper basket, just as you would add to a gift, with the crossover underneath. Tie it off in a knot, all the excess will be at the top of your basket and then tie all the leftovers in a knot at the ends, as this will become your hanger.

Step 7 – Fill the basket with lollies, chocolates or little surprises and lay the basket in the centre of your gift wrap with the ‘good’ side facing down. Wrap the basket just like you would a gift, with all the excess at the top and ensure that your curling ribbon is not tied inside. I folded the gift wrap over so that the two first sides that you wrapped formed a slit for the curling ribbon to poke through.

Step 8 – Take the tissue paper and fold in both long sides to the centre and repeat, so that you have a long sausage shape. Gently take each end and gentle curl by turning one hand in one direction and the other hand in the opposite direction. This will give the tissue paper the appearance of piped icing. Using sticky take, gently tape the tissue paper down at one end and then starting in a big circle and making each one get a bit smaller each time you will end up with a lovely tiered effect just like the real thing. Use the sticky tape to hold in place as you work around. Make sure that the curling ribbon is still in the centre and pokes out through the top of your icing for easy hanging.

Step 9 – Using small bits of tape, folded into little tubes, dot these around the ‘icing’ and stick a little furry ball on each one to represent sprinkles.

Step 10 – Hang your completed pinata anywhere that kids can have a good swing at it without hitting anything and let the games begin!

Anyone can make this gorgeous treat for your next childs birthday party and you will get lots of lovely comments for your handywork.