Well the boys turned 5 and I don’t know who was more excited about their party – them or me! We had it at a local indoor play centre, Funmazing, that has a piñata pit, so the boys each wanted their own piñata. They cost $25+ each at the store so we decided to make our own – one Spiderman and one Batman. They turned out really well!

How to: Batman and Spiderman Piñatas

First we blew up 2 balloons and I recruited help from Nana and my friend, Barb, to work with the boys covering the balloons in newspaper wet with papier mache paste (2 parts water to 1 part flour).

It’s helpful to put the balloon in one bowl to work on it and use another bowl for the paste. We did 3 layers, letting each layer dry before starting on the next layer.

We left a hole at the bottom where the balloon poked out. When all the layers were done, I popped the balloon, removed it and then papier mache’d over the hole.

Next, I painted the dried forms white.

I penciled in the lines for the eyes on Spiderman and the eyes and mouth/chin area for Batman. I painted around the white areas and the boys helped fill in the rest with red and blue paint.

After 2 coats of red and blue paint, I painted Batman’s lower face with peachy-flesh colour, keeping the mouth white. I used a black sharpie to outline the eyes, draw Spidey’s web, and give shape to Batman’s mouth.

Spiderman looked great but Batman was missing something, so I cut out some ears for him and taped them to the top of his head.

Looking good, Batman!!

You too, Spidey!

Remember I told you I’d papier mache’d over the hole at the bottom where I popped and pulled the balloon from? Well, to get the candy in there, I used an exactor knife to cut a trapdoor in the top and then poked a hole on either site to attach a ribbon to hang it from.

Next time I’d try to figure out a way to attach the ribbon better – in the end, although both held up to a lot of abuse, the tops where I had attached the ribbon gave away first.

Candy, candy, candy!

Never have I been so satisfied to see my art work destroyed.