Making a Pinata Can Be a Great Activity to Keep Your Children Busy During School Breaks

Your kids get another week long break from school. That means you're going to have to figure out something cost effective to do to keep them busy.

Making a pinata is a great way to keep your children occupied for at least three days. It can be a fun activity that your kids will enjoy.

I did this activity a few years ago with a group of five year olds. We made the biggest mess, but we had a blast.

Materials needed:
Large Balloon
Plenty of newspaper torn in 2 inch pieces
water
flour
6 feet of yarn
piece of string for hanging
3 streamers of crepe paper (any color)
Glue
Pencil

Day 1, what you will need to do:
1. Inflate the balloon and tie a knot to hold the air.
2. Tie the balloon with the string ( hanging it makes applying newspaper and drying easy.)
2. Make a paste by mixing flour and water. (should be the consistency of glue.)
3. Dip the newspaper in the paste and cover the balloon with two layers.
4. Let the layers dry for a day.

Day 2, what you will need to do:
1. Wrap the balloon with the yarn. ( to hold while swinging)
2. Put another two layers of dipped newspaper on the balloon.
3. Let it dry for another day.

Day 3, what you will need to do to decorate:
1. Cut crepe paper streamers into 3 inch squares and fringe the ends.
2. Take a pencil and curl the ends of the crepe paper streamers.
3. Start from the bottom and layer the streamers by overlapping the pieces, taking care to cover all areas.
4. Let dry for at least two hours.
5. Cut a small hole in the top to place the candy.

Note: The decorating process can sometimes take two days.