Making a palm tree pinata is a great way to add a unique, fun activity to any children’s party or gathering. With this several step guide, you can create your own palm tree pinata to be filled with goodies and treats for all guests.
Starting with the supplies, you’ll need a few core items. First, depending on the size of the pinata you want to make be sure to have either several sheets, or one roll of newspaper. You’ll also need several cups of flour and 7 to 8 cups of water to make your paste. A parchment paper or wax paper will be necessary to serve as the base of the tree structure. A few essential crafting items will be needed to complete the process, like a pair of scissors, a tape measurer, and markers or crayons.
The next step is to make the paste. You can combine the flour and water in a bowl and mix it together with a spoon. It should have a thick consistency until it’s ready to use. Set the paste aside.
Now it’s time to create your tree. Starting with pieces of newspaper, use scissors to cut to the desired length. It’s suggested that each piece is about 1.5 to 2 inches wide for the trunk and about 4-6 inches wide for the branches. Fold the strips in half lengthwise and twist them to increase strength. You can also use tape if desired to make sure the shape remains intact.
Glue the strips onto the parchment paper with your paste and shape it into a tree as you go. Let the tree completely dry for several hours and it will start to become stiff and sturdy. Once the tree is set and dry, use markers to draw details and form the tree.
The last step is to make the pinata. Attach another sheet of parchment paper to the trunk and branches using the paste and make sure that they adhere firmly together. When the tree is secure, glue thick strips of tissue paper in a fan-like pattern to the trunk, the branches, and any leaves. The tissue paper will provide additional strength to your pinata. For the finishing touches, add bright decorations to the tree such as pompoms, stones, tassels, and ribbons.
Stuffing the Pinata
Once the tree pinata is complete it’s time to stuff it with treats. Cut a hole in the back of the paper tree and place the candy, treats or surprises inside. Cover the back with paper and tape it shut. Now your paper tree pinata is ready to be hung up and hit with a stick or bat at the next children’s party.
Ways to Enhance the Tree
Enhancing your tree pinata with extra resources can make it one-of-a-kind and more detailed. You could use fabrics to cover parts of the tree. Alternatively, elements such as corks, cardboard, branches, or feathers could be used for additional details. Remember to be creative and make sure the surface of the pinata is strong and secure.
Safety Tips
When making and playing with the pinata it is important to keep safety in mind. Make sure that the pinata is hanging from a secure place and that the player is not too close to the pinata. Characters with sharp edges should be avoided so that the participants do not get injured. Additionally, a blindfold should be used when the player operates so that they have a hard time finding the right spot.
Adapting the Pinata
The tree pinata can be adjusted to fit any event by selecting the correct colors and details to represent the occasion and the theme. Many people opt for holiday themes such as Christmas trees or New Years Eve trees, while others opt for tropical orange and yellow tropical trees. Whichever one you choose, your tree pinata will be the perfect and unique decoration.
Using the Pinata for Themed Parties
Pinatas can also be used with various themes to match the event. For children’s birthday parties, popular themes include cartoon characters and animals, where the tree can represent the character and the decorations as the details of the character. For a tropical themed party, you could make the tree pinata from the colors of the ocean and add sea creatures or shells for extra elements.
Making a Personalized Message
The tree pinata can also be used to make a custom message. A creative way to surprise a special someone is to write a personal message with decorations such as hearts, glitter or stars. You could also put a photo of the special person onto the pinata tree to make a unique and memorable gift.