Pinatas are great fun to make and children really love smashing them open to liberate the hidden sweets! For Charlie's birthday we had to make two because he became attached to the first one and didn't want it to be destroyed, so we used it as a lucky-dip for the going home presents instead.

Method:

1. Blow up a balloon and tie firmly.
2. Slightly water down some white PVA glue in a bowl. (For other adhesive options see this papier-mâché website. Having tried both flour paste and PVA, we feel the PVA gives a smoother finish and is easier to use - but follow your own preference.)
3. Tear up newspaper into small strips and either dip into the paste, or apply with a brush. Lay a strip on the balloon and smooth down. Continue laying strips, varying the direction and overlapping until the whole ballon has been covered, apart from the knot of the balloon.
4. Leave the balloon to dry overnight, then add another layer. Repeat until the papier-mâché is the thickness you require. This will depend on the age of your children. For older children, the game will not last long if the pinata body is too easy to break but younger children might get frustrated if you make it too strong, so use your best judgement.
5. When it is completely dry and hardened, pop the balloon with a pin. Enlarge the hole where the knot of the balloon was to make an opening large enough to pull the burst balloon out. If you plan to hang up the pinata, now is a good time to make small holes on the top and thread through the string.
6. Fill the pinata up with sweets or small presents. Cover over the hole with some strips of pasted paper and leave to dry.
7. Decorate either by painting or by sticking on layers of tissue paper.
8. On party day, hang up the pinata and let the children take it in turns to hit the pinata with a stick until it bursts open. If there is nowhere suitable to hang it, you can place on the floor instead.

Have fun!