When I think of summer, I think of the childhood birthday parties in my grandpa’s backyard. It was a staple in my family to have a piñata. With summer around the corner, I thought it would be fun to teach my kids how to craft their own piñatas out of empty cereal boxes!
Cereal boxes are ideal for piñatas because they are thick enough to withstand craft glue, and sturdy enough to hold a decent amount of candy. I landed on the popsicle shape because it screams summer, but it’s also easy to cut out and shape.
DIY Piñata Supplies
You probably have everything you need in your craft cabinet or pantry. I kept the design simple so little hands could help decorate! Here is everything you need to craft an easy piñata out of a cereal box:
- one empty cereal box
- paper towel roll
- blue painters tape
- school glue
- scissors
- one pack of rainbow tissue paper
- candy, fruit snacks or small toys to stuff the piñata
How to Craft an Easy Piñata
To begin, you will want to unfold the flaps and flatten the cereal box. Use a sharpie to draw your popsicle design on the front of the cereal box. This will be the template for the front and back of the piñata. Cut your first popsicle and then use it to cut your second popsicle on the back of the box.
Cut the sides of the cereal box so you have two long strips. You should have 2 popsicle shapes and 2 long rectangular strips. Save the scraps so you can use them to seal the piñata after filling it.
Use the blue painters tape to attach the rectangular strips to both sides and top of the popsicle. You should now have a hollow popsicle, with the bottom open.
Tape the paper towel roll to the bottom of the popsicle. It is okay if your tape gets messy. You will cover this with tissue paper.
Use the scrap pieces of the cereal box to cover the gaps between the sides of the popsicle and the paper towel roll. Secure with plenty of painters tape. The only opening should be the center of the paper towel roll. After decorating the piñata, you will stuff it using this opening.
This next part is ideal for kids! Cover the sides of the popsicle with one color of tissue paper so you can no longer see the cereal box.
In order to achieve the piñata fringe, I took strips of tissue paper, folded them in half, and cut fringe 3/4 from the bottom to the top of the strip. My kids took the tissue paper strips and glued them to popsicle. It is important that you glue strips of tissue paper from the bottom to the top of the popsicle. This allows the tissue paper fringe to lay correctly.
After your piñata is all decorated, stuff it with treats or small trinkets. Then use the scrap pieces of cereal box to seal the piñata. I added extra fringe to the popsicle stick to cover up my messy tape work. Ta-da! You have a piñata that can be bashed with a wooden stick!
To hang your piñata craft a hook out of a large paper clip and attach it to string. Your kids are ready to play the piñata game!
Other Recommended Crafts & Activities
Check out these other kids craft and activity ideas! From science and crafts, to cooking and travel, there is something for all ages to enjoy!
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