Make your own summer piñata

Em Bronson is an unstoppable crafter, as loyal Think.Make.Share readers well know. Whether she’s leading Easter basket exchanges or football watch-party bingo games, Em knows how to combine DIY with a good time. Her newest summer piñata how-to is no exception.

DIY Summer Inspired Piñatas | thinkmakeshareblog.com

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for summer to start! All the bright colors, time spent outside with friends, and extra hours of sunlight just speak to me. In preparation for the most vibrant season of all, we decided to try a new craft: piñatas!

We’re talking easy, you-can-do-this piñatas. With a few hours, some tissue and minimal supplies, you can have a statement piece whipped up for your next party. With summer staples in mind, we created everything from popsicles and watermelon slices to tabletop pineapples and the most cheerful of rain clouds. If you keep an eye out, you might just see some of these creations show up on Hallmark products soon!

DIY Summer Pinatas | Popsicle | thinkmakeshareblog.com

DIY Summer Pinatas | Watermelon | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Summer Pinatas | Watermelon | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Summer Pinatas | Donut | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Summer Pinatas | Fractile | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Pineapple Pinatas with Hallmark artists | thinkmakeshareblog.com

DIY Summer Pinatas | Pineapples | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Summer Pinatas | Rain Cloud | thinkmakeshareblog.comDIY Summer Pinatas | Rain Cloud | thinkmakeshareblog.com

Supplies:

  • Chipboard or lightweight cardboard
  • Masking Tape
  • Pencil
  • Tissue Paper
  • Glue Stick or Hot Glue
  • Scissors
  • Pipe cleaner (for hanging loop)

DIY pinatas out of Hallmark tissue paper | thinkmakeshareblog.com

process:

  1. Trace out a basic shape (x2) and then a long strip for however thick you want the sides to be.
  2. Use masking tape to start holding things in place.
  3. Remember to make a little slot to stuff candy in, and also a few holes at the top for the pipe cleaner loop to go through.
  4. Use a glue stick or hot glue to put down a layer of tissue in basic shapes around your piñata. This helps the fringe look fuller and not show the construction.
  5. Start from the bottom and go up, adding rows of fringe.

Bonus summer piñata tips:

  • Need a round or oval shape? No problem and no paper mache needed! Paper lanterns will work great!
  • Did you ever think of making mini piñatas for party favors or centerpieces? The little pineapples are plastic tumblers I found in the seasonal aisle at the store with one piece of tissue wrapper around the outside and squished in the inside. Little, cut-out cardboard circles create the base for the top.
  • Don’t forget, you have fringe freedom! Some of us used fringe scissors (it makes several rows of tiny fringe at a time). You can make scallops or even pointy-tipped fringes. Either way, cut a few sheets of tissue at a time; it speeds up the process.

Photos by Lindsey Mehlhorn.

Add this to your Summer Fun List and share your piñata creations with us on Instagram! Tag @think.make.share to show off your work. Find more kid-approved summer activities in our Ideas section at Hallmark.com.

Comments

Leave a Comment

  1. 6.29.15 | Reply
    Lindsay wrote:

    LOVE! Such a great tutorial for those of us who like our party decor to be a little more original.

  2. 4.4.16 | Reply

    How did you make the Popsicle stick? I definitely want to make one!

  3. 6.15.16 | Reply

    Pinatas will give us a lot of fun in our parties.
    You have done a great job and your post is awesome.
    I am very happy to see your post, i bought a pinata for my kids event from http://www.pinatas.com
    I definitely try it by my own for our next event.
    Thank You,
    Pinata Pinatas.

  4. 8.14.16 | Reply
    Kasia wrote:

    I love the watermelon pinata – I featured it here http://esikfloresik.blogspot.com/2016/08/you-are-one-in-melon-inspiration-board.html
    xoxo

  5. 1.9.17 | Reply
    Tania wrote:

    Love you watermelon piñata. It’s one of my favorites and I will try to make one for my room.

  6. 6.20.17 | Reply
    Maria Alejandra wrote:

    Hello! I was wondering if is possible to share this amazing DIY in my instagram blog @maandla.co

    thank you!

    • 6.21.17 | Reply
      Think.Make.Share wrote:

      We would love that, Maria! Just be sure to tag and credit so we can find you! 😉

  7. 6.30.17 | Reply
    Dawn wrote:

    I saw these and can’t wait to get started on making my own.

  8. 6.30.17 | Reply
    Pat Dosky wrote:

    Thank you so much for not including animal images for your summer pinatas. I don’t believe that children should be allowed to beat even symbolic animals since it might encourage them to inflict cruel abuse on real animals.
    Plus the colorfulness of your summer ideas are so much more enticing.

  9. 9.30.17 | Reply
    Lia wrote:

    Love these!!! I want to make a pumpkin piñata for my daughters bday but not sure what to use for the sides so that it easily flexes around the round shape. I’ve seen people use corrugated cardboard but I have no idea where to get it. What did you use for the sides? These are all so beautiful!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!