Categories: Food & Wine

How to Make a Rainbow Pinata

It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a child, if it’s a birthday party or an anniversary, or if you have a large budget or small one, the rainbow pinata is a perfect choice for your event. It’s not too feminine, it’s not too masculine; it’s ideal for a child or a grownup. And the very best part of the rainbow pinata is just how simple it is to make. If you have some large pieces of cardboard you’re well on your way to creating the pinata that will give so many people so much joy!

You can make the rainbow pinata as large or as small as you want. You don’t have to be any kind of an artist to create it and you don’t need any tools except scissors. The cardboard you use can be thick or thin but shouldn’t be corrugated. Clear a space on a flat surface, choose your cardboard piece, and begin making the fabulous pinata for your party or event.

If you’ve got a steady hand a good eye you can draw an arch on the cardboard. If not, a string can be very helpful. Arrange the string so that it forms an arch from one end of the cardboard to the other. Obviously, a large arch will make a huge pinata; a small arch will make a much smaller pinata when finished. Use the string to arrange the perfect arch the size you want. When the string is perfectly positioned use a pen or pencil to draw right beside the string.

Now you’ll need to make a second arch. Use the string to make a much smaller arch below the first one. If you go well below the first arch you’ll make a very wide rainbow. If you go a little closer to the first arch the finished rainbow will be much more narrow. Create the tiny arch so that it is below the first one, and much, much smaller. After outlining the second arch you’re ready to cut out the rainbow shape. Use this shape to cut a second rainbow; this will give you a front and back to the pinata.

To create the sides of the rainbow you’ll cut a very long strip of cardboard. Cut the strip wide and the finished pinata will be very deep, of course. Cut the strip narrow and the pinata will hold much less candy and goodies. Get a general idea of how long to cut the cardboard by measuring all the way around the rainbow with a cloth or paper tape measure. Add a few inches onto that figure just to make sure the strip is long enough. You can cut off the excess cardboard later.

It’s easy, albeit somewhat time-consuming, to put the rainbow together. Wide tape is all you need to do so. Start by standing the strip of cardboard on its side. Position one of the rainbow shapes over the strip and begin taping the two pieces together. Half of the tape will go on the rainbow shape and the other half on the cardboard strip. Reaching inside and pushing against the cardboard while you tape can be very helpful. Continue wrapping the cardboard strip around the rainbow shape and taping. When you get to the end cut off the excess cardboard before creating the seam. Tape the seam; the seam should be under the small arch of the rainbow.

After the band is taped to the first rainbow you’ll then create the hanger. Poke a hole from the top of the rainbow to the inside. Fold a piece of cord in half and insert it from the top to the inside. Fill the hole with glue then add a piece of tape over the ends. After making the hanger you can then fill the half-finished pinata with the candies and goodies. Now position the second rainbow shape over the band. The first rainbow shape is face-down on the table and the band is facing upwards. Tape the second rainbow shape as you did the first. The pinata is now finished except for the decorating.