Pinatas

[buildingmycorestrength]

My son is desperate to have a pinata at his party in a few weeks, and also wants a treasure hunt for then party bag favours. I've never done a pinata before and I'm not sure whether they normally replace party bags?

[RunsWithScissors]

What if you hide (empty) party bags for them to hunt out, then do the piñata. They can then fill the bags up from the winnings. Maybe keep some of the sweets etc back in a bowl to top up any anyone that doesn't get much?

[buildingmycorestrength]

I suggested this to my son and he looked dubious... but thanks! I said I'd find out what people normally do as this has some sway with him.

[orderinformation]

I did normal party bags eg plastic rat but the chocolate was coins I put in the piñata. Treasure could be some of the plastic tat perhaps or something piratey eg an eye patch each?

[buildingmycorestrength]

Thank you. Think he is happy with the idea of 'someone on the internet' suggesting the loot goes in the party bags.

I should probably nip that in the bud, the idea that 'someone on the internet said so' is a good enough reason to do something! .

[RunsWithScissors]

Oh good. Best of luck teaching him about the all knowing entities on the Internet

[orderinformation]

I meant of course plastic tat not a plastic rat

[MothershipG]

How old is your son? The damn things can be very hard to break, 8 10 yr old girls, at least half of whom do karate, couldn't manage it here!

Also when you finally do bust them there is a complete scrum for the goodies, smaller kids generally get shoved out of the way, end up in tears etc.

My advice: approach with caution and good luck!

[buildingmycorestrength]

Think we will make one ourselves from paper marche? Not too thick, hopefully. I hated them when I was his age.

[CorrieDale]

I make ours out of paper mâché. Sometimes I do them with corrugated cardboard if I want it to be very sturdy. I put sweets into it and tell the children what they get each. It's very very stage managed. I don 't do anarchy! It is always hugely popular despite the rules.

[buildingmycorestrength]

Yes, I thought about saying what they need to hunt for ... '1 of these, 1 of these, 1 of these...' etc.

'Rules help control the fun!' - Monica from Friends.

[orderinformation]

Could they hunt for a token with their name on it that they then exchange for a party bag?

[CorrieDale]

I always had a soft spot for Monica! She and I could have bonded over Enjo cloths and the importance of recapping markers...

[mignonette]

I spent my childhood in Mexico and had a Pinata at every occasion. The correct way to do it is to have two people on opposing flat roofs holding onto the line it is suspended from. That way, the line can be swung and dipped making it more of a challenge for older kids and lowered for younger children. It needs to be up high enough for the stick to get a good swing.

I'm not sure how you could do this over here unless you have access to two opposing high points. They really are not as good any other way. Hanging it from a washing line is a poor imitation really.

[buildingmycorestrength]

Ah, most of the kids are about the same height, to be honest. But we could loop a rope over a branch and then raise and lower it like that - good idea.