How to Make a Baseball Pinata

A baseball piñata is a perfect decoration and activity for a young boy's birthday or any end of the baseball season party. Balls are one of the easiest piñatas to create. Get your child involved in this fun project to help build anticipation for the upcoming party. This baseball piñata uses paper-mâché techniques and may take a few days to accommodate for drying time. It is a wonderful recycling project that utilizes the versatility of old newspapers. Look for a round balloon that is the desired size for your baseball piñata. If you can't find the right size at the store, check with your local florist, they may be willing to sell you one.

Blow up the balloon to the desired size and tie closed. Cut approximately an arms length of string and tie one end to the knot of the balloon. This will be used to hang the balloon while drying.

Tear multiple strips of newspaper approximately 1 inch wide by 4 inches long. This is a good size to work with on a curved surface. Tear strips until you think you have enough and then tear some more. The amount will ultimately be determined by the size of the balloon you use.

Mix the white school glue with water until you have a milky consistency. Lay out a sheet of wax paper to protect your work surface.

Apply the glue mixture on both sides of a strip of newspaper using the sponge brush. Lay the strip onto the balloon and apply the glue mixture over the top of the strip again. Randomly place newspaper strips all over the balloon until the whole balloon has been covered. The strips should be overlapped and running in all different directions. Hang the balloon from the string on a knob or hook, making sure the balloon does not touch anything. Allow the glue to dry. Continue to apply layers of newspaper to the balloon and allowing to dry thoroughly between each layer. Apply eight to ten layers of newspaper.

Poke a straight pin into the tied knot of the balloon to pop it. Cut a hole approximately 3 inches in diameter around the balloon knot using the scissors. Remove the popped balloon from the piñata and discard. Poke two holes 2 inches apart on the opposite side from the piñatas opening using the upholstery needle. This will be the top of your baseball piñata. Cut an 18 inch length of cording and thread on the upholstery needle. Thread the cording through the holes and tie the ends together in a knot for hanging. Fill the piñata with the candy and small toys. Replace the cover for the hole and tape closed using the masking tape. Paint the entire baseball piñata using the white paint. Repeat with as many coats as needed and allow to dry.

Tear small 1/2 inch pieces of red tissue paper. Using a baseball as a visual guide, sketch the seams of the baseball on the baseball piñata. Apply the glue mixture lightly to the back of the torn red tissue paper and applying them over the sketched seam. Cut strips of tissue paper a 1/2 inch wide by 1 1/2 inch long and glue horizontally across the stitching every 1/2 inch. Allow the glue to dry.