Piñata Ideas

A piñata is a large, decorative structure that is filled with all sorts of goodies. It is strung up from a high point so that it hangs at a height accessible with a long stick or pole. A player is blindfolded and given the stick with the aim of hitting it. The person who breaks it wins. It can be made in a wide variety of shapes and sizes according to different party themes, and can be filled with all sorts of goodies, mostly candy.

Piñatas are great fun at parties not only because you can make all the preparations prior to the party, but also because it's a favorite with kids of all ages. You can use your imagination and come up with different ideas for one if you're having a party with adults.

Another advantage is that you can make one at home, or involve your kids in the making process to keep them occupied. If you're pressed for time, you can buy one from the store along with the other party supplies to save yourself the bother.

However, it is very easy to make and you only need basic supplies that you're likely to find lying around your house. You can decorate it to showcase the theme of your party.

Once you have it ready, the next step is to figure out what to fill it with. The ideas will depend on the theme for the party. If it is a child's birthday party for instance, you can fill it with a mixture of candy and tiny toys that will appeal to the little ones.

• Candy
• Miniature dolls
• Playing cards
• Small Lego sets
• Cars
• Stickers
• Little Sunglasses
• Small slinkies

• Crayons or Pencils
• Hair grips
• Pen stands
• Small bottles of bubble bath
• Playing balls
• Key chains
• Fridge magnets
• Party hats
• Balloons

• Children, especially the really small ones, are likely to make a mad dash to get their hands on whatever they can get once the piñata breaks. In the ensuing havoc, someone may get hurt. One of the ways to avoid this is to 'cordon off' a section where the child is swinging at the piñata. 

That way, once broken, you can still try to maintain some control once the initial excitement is over.

• It's inevitable that some kids will get more than others, especially if you have a mix of ages at your party. To stave off disappointment, tantrums, and tears, it would be thoughtful if you put in a bagful of goodies for each child. That way, everyone gets their share and no one's unhappy.

• Another thing to keep in mind when filling the piñata is to make sure that you put in items that will not break when they fall from a height, or things that are heavy and may hurt someone when they fall.
• Keep other children at a safe distance from the player to keep accidental hits at bay.

• If you're unsure about kids hitting it until it breaks, for less boisterous ideas, you can try the pull-string variety before you turn to other party games. In this case, the piñatas have a number of decorative ribbons which hang from the base, one of which when tugged, opens it up. 

This is a good option for very little children who might not have the strength to break it open completely.

If you're hosting a party, there's no end to the things you have to get done. A piñata is a simple and fun option that your guests are sure to love. Use your imagination to come up with unique and creative ideas and your party is bound to be a huge success.