What’s more fun than breaking a pinata open? Putting it together! Learning how to make a pinata is a great activity for you and the kids, and this cardboard method is easier and cleaner than traditional papier-mache. Perfect for summer birthdays or gatherings, playing with a homemade pinata is also a great opportunity to fire up the grill and have a backyard party.
We’ll walk you through how to make a cactus-shaped pinata, but these same steps can be applied to making a pinata in all kinds of shapes, from doughnuts to donkeys to dinosaurs.
See how people are celebrating birthdays during the pandemic.
How to Make a Pinata, Step by Step
You’ll Need:
Detry26/Getty Images
- 1 large cardboard box, flattened
- 1 package green crepe paper
- 1 package pink crepe paper
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Glue
- 1 roll masking tape
- Candy
- Rope or twine
Directions
Step 1: Outline the shape
Detry26/Getty Images
Remove the flaps from the cardboard. Then, on the side of the box, draw a simple outline of your pinata.
Step 2: Cut out the shape
Detry26/Getty Images
Cut the shape out safely with a pair of scissors, and then repeat on another piece of cardboard. You should have two identical cutouts.
Step 3: Cut out supports
Detry26/Getty Images
To help create dimension—and provide a space to stash the candy—use the remaining cardboard to cut out supporting pieces. This will be the depth of your pinata.
Step 4: Assemble the pinata
Detry26/Getty Images
Tape the support pieces along the edges of one cutout, so all sides are covered with cardboard. But make sure to leave a small section open on the side of the pinata—this is how you will fill it with candy.
Tape the second cutout to the other edge of the support pieces, checking that the two outlines are lined up.
Step 5: Fill with candy
Detry26/Getty Images
Use the opening to stuff the pinata with treats. Then, seal the opening. You don’t want any candy to fall out before the big moment! Find the best candy store in your state to stock up on the good stuff.
Step 6: Attach the twine
Detry26/Getty Images
Next, attach rope or twine to the top of the pinata in order to hang it. You can poke holes in the cardboard and thread the twine through. Then, secure with tape.
Step 7: Prepare the tissue paper
Detry26/Getty Images
Cut the folded tissue paper into strips. To create the fringe, make thin cuts about two-thirds of the way up the tissue paper strip, leaving a seam running along the top. (You’ll use that seam to glue the tissue paper.)
Step 8: Decorate
Detry26/Getty Images
Apply glue to the tissue paper’s seam. Carefully and thoroughly, layer onto the pinata’s body, starting from the bottom and working up to the top. Make sure no cardboard is visible! This step can take some time, but the finished product will be worth it.
Step 9: Put on the finishing touches
Detry26/Getty Images
Make sure all parts of the pinata are covered in tissue paper. If you’re making a cactus, like we did, use pieces of pink tissue paper to create a colorful cactus flower at the top of the pinata.
And you’re done! You now know how to make a pinata. All that’s left to decide is whether to admire your handiwork for a while or break it open immediately to get to the candy inside.
The Best Birthday Cupcakes to Bake & Share
Pull-Apart Cupcake Cake
Rather than frosting each cupcake individually, gather them together and decorate as one. Pull-apart cupcake cakes can be themed to just about any birthday party with ease. Learn
how to make these pull-apart cupcake cakes here.
Sprinkle CupcakesGive birthday cake sprinkles a bit of an upgrade by only adding them to just the edges of a cupcake. The easiest way to create this cute look is to take a frosted cupcake, turn it on its side and roll the edge on a plate full of sprinkles. You can go monochromatic, like with this pink velvet cupcake, or go with whatever color combo would go with your party. Before you start baking and decorating, check that you have these
essential cupcake tools.
Taste of Home
Bakery-Worthy Roses
For something a little more elegant, there's no cupcake decoration that beats the classic frosting rose. To achieve this look, place a closed star tip in a pastry bag and fill it with slightly cool frosting. Starting in the middle of the cupcake, gently squeeze the pastry bag while moving the tip in a counter-clockwise direction. Once you reach the edges of the cupcake, loosen your grip on the pastry bag and lift it from the frosting. Easy peasy. For more help, take a look at these
piping bag tips that will have you frosting like a pro.
Tie-Dye CupcakesI’ve been making these colorful cupcakes with my mom since I was in high school. The cheery sweets are as fun to make as they are to eat. —Tammy Quinn, Lynden, Ontario
Taste of Home
Watercolor-Inspired Cupcakes
For a near-effortless cupcake design that looks anything but, this watercolor technique is just the ticket. Using an offset spatula or a butter knife, spread dabs of different colored frosting along the top of a cupcake. After the cupcake has been covered to your liking, you can use your spatula or knife to spread the colors together slightly or leave them as-is. Either way, they'll look beautiful on your dessert table. Here are some more
easy birthday cake ideas you might want to try.
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon ButtercreamStuffing cupcakes with additional frosting, custard, sprinkles or, in this case, apple pie filling, is a great way to pump up the treat's flavor and playfulness. For more filling ideas, check out our
best stuffed cupcake recipes.
Ice Cream Cone CupcakesKiddos will love this adorable cake and ice cream mash-up. If you'd prefer a more traditional cupcake, you can substitute the scoop of ice cream on top for a scoop of frosting. Fill out the rest of your party's menu with these
kids birthday party food ideas.
Taste of Home
Two-Tone Frosting
This dual-color frosting look is incredibly easy to do yourself. Split your frosting evenly between two bowls and dye them as desired. Open a pastry bag with tip of your choice or a plastic bag over a glass and add the frostings almong the side of the bag, using a spatula or butter knife. Twist the top of the pastry or plastic bag, then frost with a simple swirl. Then, enjoy! (Are you
eating a cupcake the right way?)
Fresh Fruit ToppingCupcake toppings don't have to be candy and sweets. This brightly-flavored cupcake recipe uses fresh strawberry halves for a juicy, all-natural garnish. If you're really cutting back on your sugar intake, you can try out this
sugar-free cupcake recipe.
Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream FrostingOn the other hand, birthdays are the perfect excuse to go all out. This Oreo cupcake recipe was developed by Taste of Home's Test Kitchen and has the classic sandwich cookie baked into the cupcake, mixed into the frosting and used as a topper.
Taste of home
Mini-Floral Cupcake
Perfect for a brunch birthday party, this chic piping looks just like a hydrangea. You can recreate this decoration by filling a piping bag with a small star tip with the frosting color of your choice, and pipe short, small flowers. For a more natural look, use two-toned frosting and vary the size of your piped flowers. Check out these
homemade frosting recipes that make cupcakes even better.
Jalapeno Popper Corn CupcakesCupcakes don't have to be sweet. This cornbread cupcake recipe has jalapenos baked right in and is topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting. Here are some more
sweet-and-savory desserts that'll satisfy all of your cravings.
Taste of Home
Chocolate Decorations
Make customized chocolate cupcake toppers in about five minutes flat. First, draw your preferred design on a sheet of parchment paper, then flip the paper over. Melt white or milk chocolate candy melts in the microwave, transfer to a piping bag or plastic bag and trace the drawn shapes on the parchment paper. Let the chocolate shapes set in the fridge until solid and then add to the top of frosted cupcakes. Take a look at these other
edible cupcake decorations.
Peanut Butter & Jelly CupcakesTurn your little one's favorite lunch into a sweet and nutty dessert! If strawberry isn't their thing, feel free to substitute it with grape, blueberry or raspberry jam or jelly.
Candy CupcakesHave kiddos decorate their own cupcakes with leftover candy you have in the pantry. Give each cupcake a quick spread of bright frosting, divide the candies into small bowls and let little hands create monster faces. Psst! This was
the most popular type of candy the year you were born.
Pineapple Upside-Down CupcakesThink outside the cupcake liner with this take on upside-down cake. These individual-sized pineapple upside-down cakes bake right in a cupcake tin and can be served oven-fresh. Throwing a tropical themed bash? Here are some amazing
ideas for a tropical birthday party that you'll want to steal.
Red Wine CupcakesThis one is for the adults! Made with dry red wine and topped with an elevated mascarpone frosting, these chocolate cupcakes are fitting for any 21+ birthday bash. Keep the good times going by playing one of these
adult party games.
Rainbow Cupcakes
With some blue frosting, white frosting and a strip of
Airheads Xtremes, you can top your cupcake with a sweet rainbow scene. Keep your head in the clouds with more
rainbow-inspired recipes.
Caramel Apple CupcakesSkip the frosting altogether and go with a topping of caramel and chopped nuts. This recipe uses toasted pecans but walnuts, hazelnuts or peanuts would work well, too. Next, take a peek at our
best cupcake recipes of all time.