Papier-mÂchÉ the Balloon

Follow these easy papier-mâché directions, then add pizzazz with one of our decorating ideas . Note: Each layer requires approximately 8 hours to dry, so allow about 4 days to finish without rushing. The actual time you'll spend on it each day, though, will probably be only 30 minutes.

What you'll need:

• Inflatable punch balloon, 14 inches in diameter when blown up (available at Target and party stores for about $1; discard rubber band)
• Masking tape
• 4 to 6 double sheets of newspaper (about 25 by 22 inches each)
• 14 to 16 sheets of letter-size white copy paper or other lightweight white paper
• Ruler
• Papier-mâché paste
• Mixing bowl
• Inexpensive 1 12-inch-wide paintbrush (available at craft and hardware stores)
• Approximately 10 feet of lightweight but strong string (we used metallic string for the disco ball)
• Craft knife and scissors

1. Blow up the punch balloon, knot the tail securely, and trim it to about 1 inch. Tape flat the nub on the end opposite the knot, as shown (right).
2. Prepare the paste (above, right) and the paper strips. Since you'll papier-mâché three layers (2 of newspaper and 1 of white copy paper), tear roughly fifty 2- by 11-inch strips for each layer. Newspaper strip shortcut: Fold each sheet in half lengthwise twice. Start at the folded edge and tear 2-inch-wide strips along a ruler. Then tear each strip in half so it's about 11 inches long.
3. Cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth and set the balloon atop a bowl for stability. Next, choose your modus operandi: A) dip each strip into the paste and squeegee off the excess with your fingers, then smooth the strip around the balloon. Or B) the slightly less messy approach shown here: use a paintbrush to cover a large section of the balloon with paste, lay newspaper strips over it, and smooth them down with more paste, then repeat. Either way, apply your first layer horizontally, overlapping the strips slightly to ensure complete coverage, and mâché closely around the knot at the top.
4. Let the first layer dry. For each layer, leave the balloon on the mixing bowl as it dries, but rotate it every so often to expose the entire surface.
5. Attach the hanging loop. Cut the string in half (a parent's job) and save one 5-foot piece for hanging the finished piñata. Tape the middle of the other piece to the end of the balloon opposite the knot. Bring each half of the string up opposite sides of the balloon and tape the string in place once on each side and then at the top, roughly 1 1/2 inches on each side of the balloon's knot, as shown. Knot the string ends together 6 inches above the balloon and trim if necessary.
6. Apply the second layer of newspaper strips vertically. Mâché over the taped-down string, but leave the loop free. Let this layer dry.
7. For the third layer, apply white copy paper strips horizontally. Mâché closely around where the loop strings emerge. Let this layer dry.
8. Decorate with the following ideas: Really Big League Baseball, Sparkling Disco Ball, and a Supercool Sun.
9. Using a craft knife (a parent's job), cut a candy door (about 3 inches square) between the strings. Carefully cut 3 sides of the square, leaving 1 side uncut for a hinge. Reach in and remove the balloon. Fill the piñata. Next, close the candy door, hang your piñata with the remaining string, and let the party begin!