Pinata

aurora8202 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2006, 09:19 AM

Hi, my son and I made a pinata for his 4th birthday party but I am unsure of how this works at parties. I am worried that my son will be upset if he isn't the one that breaks it. It isn't very strong and I don't think it will take much, probably one good hit to break it.
There will be one other kid at the party for sure, (possibly 2 more) a friend of my son's and he is a year older and much more aggressive than my son. I don't want him to break it on his first hit, which I am pretty positive would happen. I suggested to my husband that as it is my son's birthday I just let him hit it until it breaks but he didn't like that at all. So I really am not sure what to do. The only other idea I can come up with is to let the kids take turns hitting it with something soft that can't possibly break it and at the end let my son have a bat to finish it off.
Anyone have any ideas?

mactom18 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2006, 07:13 PM

well that would probly be the best ideal but you could also make a smaller ones or maybe one for just your son to hit ... just an ideal ....

**ajrsmom** · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2006, 03:36 AM

Let the birthday boy go first since it is his BD. I go agree that I would something softer so that they will get more than one turn.

Before the party, try to explain to your son that he might not be the one to break the pinata but that everyone will get to share in the goodies inside. At 4, I'm sure that he understands sharing but it still might be hard for him to understand that he can't always "win", especially since it is his birthday. I wouldn't focus on who breaks its it first. Instead, it might work out better to focus on what's inside

If he doesn't like the idea of possibly not being the one to break it, I would consider not using it for the party --maybe only as decoration--and then let him hit it by himself afterwards.

Have fun at the party!!

Denahowy · #4 (**permalink**) 10-07-2006, 05:24 PM

We had a pinata I made for my son's birthday party and it was a big hit. All who hit it enjoyed it. We had them wear a mask over their eyes and hit the pinata and they used a foam bat and it made it last longer and it took a little bit to break it, but they did it. They all had fun doing it. Three children hit it, my son, his sister and a friend from school who attended the party. I had so much fun making it too. It was nice and cheaper to make than just buying one from the store.

**AnnaInOhio** · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 09:50 AM

For my friends party, they hung the pinata on a tree outside with a adjustable rope. Dad played with the kids by moving it up and down as they were hitting it, the birthday girl got to go first. We all got a good laugh from Dad's antics with the pinata.

Anna

Denahowy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 11:44 AM

My husband held the pinata tied to a broom handle here and raised and lower it for the kids. It was lot of fun for them. First time I did the pinata at a party. Also first time I made one. It was a lot of fun, would do it again too.

hcakelady · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2006, 12:46 PM

We usually do a 'pull pinata'. Instead of beating it to death (and possibly each other) you use curling ribbon. Cut the ribbon about 2-3 feet and use 5-6 times the number of kids you will have. Cut the bottom out of the pinata and fill it with candy. This works best if you have a flat bottomed pinata. Poke holes in the bottom, just big enough for the ribbon to go through, and poke the ribbon through. Attatch them inside the pinata very lightly with not so sticky tape or a very small dot of glue. The idea is that the ribbons have some resistance but do not pull the bottom off until the kids have all had a few turns. On one of the ribbons tie a pencil or chopstick to be the one that pulls the bottom off. Be sure to secure it VERY well or you may have all of the ribbons come out and no candy (I won't tell you how I know that one!). Then tape the bottom back on with the ribbons hanging down. No broken bones or windows. A little more work but very well worth it.

Denahowy · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 10:45 AM

Never tried the pulled pinata. Although, we used a foam bat instead of a real one, so it was safe for the kids. Also the kids I had doing it were older, like 9 and 11 years old. No one doing it younger than that. Thanks for the information will have to try to make one of those some time. I have seen all types of pinatas but never tried to make one until this year. My kids and the other child who attended really enjoyed the pinata. Wish more kids had come though, invited 8 children to the party and only one came.