Pinatas

Pinatas make a wonderful party activity! They are most commonly used at birthday parties and Hawaiian Luaus, but are terrific for any type of celebration. They also make a great addition to your party decorations until they are ready to be used. I have Pinatas at all of my children's birthday parties. What kid doesn't love to have candy and toys falling all around them? Today, there are pinatas for almost every party theme available to purchase. Or, if you want to be creative, you can make your own party pinata.

If you do plan on having a Pinata at your next party, here are my must read Pinata tips:

• Stay away from "Pinata filler" bags. Most of those bags are filled with junky candy and toys that most children will not like. Instead, go to your local Target or Party Store and pick up a few bags of the "better" candy.(chocolates, Starburst, Jolly Ranchers, Smarties, etc.) The kids will appreciate it! If you are including chocolate candy in the pinata, be sure to select bags of candy that are peanut-free just incase any of the children have a peanut allergy. It is always better safe than sorry.
• Pinatas are not just for candy! You can also include small toys that coordinate with your party theme in the pinata as well. For example, tattoos, small figures, bracelets, mini bubbles, bounce balls, stickers, etc.
• To hit the pinata or use a pull string? I always use a pull string because all of my children's birthdays are during the colder months so we have to do the Pinata activity indoors. And, there is no way kids are swinging a stick inside my home! Plus, it is just not safe since there is not enough room for the kids to stand back. Someone could get hurt. If the Pinata activity is outdoors, then you could definately do the classic "hit with a stick" method.
• Keep a candy reserve. I learned this lesson after hosting my first birthday party. We did the Pinata activity and of course some of the smaller kids were unable to get to the candy and did not get much (some didn't get any!). And, since it is hard to get the other kids to give up their stash, this kind of caused a problem. Now, after I fill the pinata, I always keep a bowl of candy separate. Once the pinata is opened and all the candy is picked up, I am able to give some candy to any of the kids who were not able to get that much. Another idea would be to toss the reserve candy into the mix as the pinata is opening making sure that all of the kids can get to some.
• Don't buy too much candy. I have done this quite a few times until I got it right. I have the habit buying too much candy for the number of guests. I think a good rule of thumb would be to have two handfuls of candy per guest.
• Should I use a blindfold? I generally don't have a blindfold during the Pinata activity since I use the pull-string as mentioned above. However, if the kids are hitting the Pinata, you certainly could use a blindfold if you want. I would note that some kids, especially younger children, don't like to be blindfolded, so I would keep that in mind when making your decision.

There are hundreds of different pinatas available to purchase, however, there may be some party themes where a coordinating Pinata cannot be found. Don't worry! You can decorate your own!

Purchase a plain Customizable Pinata. These can be found online or at your local party store (I know the Party City by me carries them). These pinatas come with the colorful streamers, but the front is blank. You can use photos cut out of magazines or downloaded from the Internet, stickers or a round mylar balloon to decorate the front to match your party theme and decor.

The best part of these customizable pinatas is that your child can help. So, not only do you get a fun Pinata to coordinate with your party theme, it is also a great project for your child to work on with you. Most children love helping with the party planning, so this would be the perfect activity.

Mini pinatas are the latest trend in unique birthday party favors. These pinatas can also be used as Halloween treat bags and favor bags for other Holiday parties such as Valentine's Day, Easter and Christmas. They are simple to make and you can decorate them yourself to coordinate with your birthday party theme. Supplies needed: high stock quality posterboard, hot glue, masking or duct tape, crepe paper, string and decorating materials.

Mini pinata favors are generally 7-8" in height and 3-4" in diameter. Once you determine the size pinata you would like to make, measure and cut out the posterboard and fold to create a cylinder shape. Hot glue the posterboard together along the seam. Measure and cut out a circle from the posterboard. Hot glue the circle to the bottom of the pinata and then reinforce with tape.

It is now time to decorate your pinata for your birthday party theme. You can use wrapping paper or create and print out personalized labels. Another item many people use to decorate their mini pinatas is the napkins that came with their theme partyware. Use your imagination! Once you decide on the decorations, attach them to your pinata.

Next, punch two holes at the top of the pinata, one on each side. Thread coordinating colored string through the holes and tie a knot. The knot should be inside the cylinder. You have now created the pinata handle.

Measure and cut out another circle from the posterboard. It should be the same size as the one you made for the bottom of the pinata. Cut a small hole in the circle. The hole should be just large enough to insert and remove the candies and other pinata goodies. Using hot glue attach the circle to the top of the pinata.

You can then finish off your mini pinata with coordinating crepe paper attached around the top and the bottom of the pinata.

Spanish:Dale, dale, dale. No pierdas el tino. Porque si lo pierdes. Pierdes el camino.Ya le diste una. Ya le diste dos. Ya le diste tres. Y tu tiempo se acabó.

English:Hit it, hit it, hit it. Don't loose your aim. Because if you loose it. You loose the way.You hit it once. You hit it twice. You hit it three times. And your time is up.