Whether you're hosting a Halloween, Easter or birthday party, surprising your guests with a pinata is sure to be a hit. Although you can go out and purchase a pinata at many party or craft stores, making your own not only allows you to customize the design and contents, but can also be a fun activity for the whole family.

Although they may look elaborate, pinatas are actually relatively easy to make. You may even have all the materials you need at home! This guide will teach you how to make a pinata.

(Creative Commons photo by Tienda Esquipulas)

• To make a pinata, you will need:

1. A balloon
2. Newspaper
3. 2 cups of flour
4. 1 cup of water
5. Two large bowls
6. A 2-3' long piece of string
7. Paint

• Depending on the event and people attending, you can fill the pinata with your choice of

1. Candy: For sanitary reasons, select candy that is individually wrapped
2. Toys
3. Confetti

• After you have created the basic pinata, you can decorate it as elaborately or as simply as you choose. Some materials you may want to use to decorate your pinata include:

1. Crepe paper
2. Paint, markers, pens and crayons
3. Cardboard
4. Sparkles
5. Tissue paper
6. Ribbons
7. You will also need glue or tape to affix adornments to the pinata

• Especially if there are children helping, making a pinata can be a messy business, so you may want to cover your work surface with a drop cloth and have those working with pinata wear old clothes.

1. To make the paste, whisk the water and flour together until the mixture is relatively free of lumps
2. Tear (don't cut) the newspaper into strips that are approximately 1" wide
3. Blow up the balloon

1. Place the balloon in a large bowl to help keep it steady as you work
2. Dip a strip of newspaper into the paste and remove the excess paste by sliding your fingers down the strip
3. Place the strip on the balloon and smooth it down with your hand
4. Grab another strip, get it pasted up and then place it so that it slightly overlaps with the previous strip. Again, smooth the strip down with your hand
5. Repeat the above step until the balloon is covered with newspaper strips, but leave an uncovered square of about 2" on one end of the balloon

• After covering the ballon with paper mache strips, set it aside and allow it to dry completely—this may take up to 24 hours. As your paper mache dries, cover your paste with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge so that it does not dry out. Once the paper mache balloon is dry, repeat the steps listed above in Paper Mache the Balloon to apply another layer of paper mache to the balloon. Repeat this process until you have applied three layers of paper mache to the balloon.

1. Once your final layer of paper mache is dry, pop and remove the balloon
2. Poke a hole on either side of the opening
3. Thread your string through these holes and then tie the two ends together to create your pinata hanger
4. Paint the pinata
5. Decorate the pinata as you wish. You can use cardboard to make ears, eyes and legs to create an animal pinata, or apply overlapping flaps of colorful crepe or tissue paper for a traditional pinata look
6. Fill the pinata with candy, toys and other fun treats
7. Hang the pinata

• Although it does take some time, making a pinata is relatively easy and does not require a lot of expensive materials. Making your own pinata allows you to fill it with whatever treats you like and create a truly unique and customized party favor.

•