Sure, you can buy a piñata at the party store, but there are some awfully fun reasons to make your own. Chief among them is that it's a creative activity that involves your child in the excitement of party preparation. Choosing a design, applying layers of papier-mâché over the course of a few days (it's definitely not a last-minute project!), and adding the final decorations are all a great way to express your child's interests or party theme. And the result is a one-of-a-kind party centerpiece. Here, we offer three designs to get you started -- a Really Big League Baseball, Sparkling Disco Ball, and a Supercool Sun. Each one features a special effect or technique that's easy to duplicate and guaranteed to make your piñata a smashing success!

All of the piñatas described above start with the same basic piñata construction. In addition, we suggest you use our favorite papier-mâché recipe for your piñata. Lastly, check out the Piñata Pointers below to ensure a perfect party.

Piñata Pointers

• For a quick, inexpensive way to fill your piñata, buy Pinata Fillers (a prepackaged collection of toys and candy available at most party stores). A 1-pound bag costs about $5.
• Use a plastic Wiffle ball bat for whacking.
• To avoid disputes, set the rules before you begin. For instance, each child gets two swings and then it's the next person's turn.
• Kids tend to crowd, so put down a masking tape line for them to stand behind until it's their turn. And of course, an adult should supervise the entire activity.
• Skip the blindfold-and-spin step for little kids.
• To make sure everyone gets a fair share of the loot, give each child a small paper bag to fill when the piñata breaks, or after the traditional dive and grab, have guests pool all the goodies in a large bowl, and then redistribute evenly.