Kids Birthday Parties,Cool Birthday Party Ideas,Cool Birthday Parties,Cool Party Theme,Unique Party Ideas,Custom Party Games,Party Supplies,Video Game Theme,Party Tips,Making a Piñata,Cool Party Elements, Party Themes,Nintendo Birthday,Mario Party theme

Super Mario Bros. Party Piñatas

Just for the fun of it, I created a Mario and a Luigi papier-mâché piñata. I thought this would be a great opportunity to share with you how character head piñatas can be a lot of fun at any celebration. Besides the obvious fun (piñata holds goodies), the piñatas can make a picture perfect momentum. You can take a picture of the group, or of each guest with the piñata; solo or with birthday boy/girl. Try this pose for Funny pictures: Hang piñata at head level, have guest stand behind the piñata. Piñata will appear to be the head on the guests’ body. Kids love it!

Want to see step-by-step how to create a papier-mâché Mario pinata. Click here to See full instructions .

How to make Papier-Mache mixture

I have received several requests on how exactly to make papier-mâché mixture. So I decided to put together a short how to video. The only supplies needed to make papier-mâché is flour and water. I prefer using all-purpose bleached flour, and warm water when mixing mâché. I have found that these together make a nice smooth consistency when mixing the two.

Once you have your mixture ready, you can begin to create something with newspaper strips and dipping them in the mixture. Your imagination is the limit. While you're creating, you may notice your papier-mâché mixture gradually getting thicker. That is normal, just add a little bit of water and stir around to make the mixture thinner, continue on creating. Also you can store the mixture if you have a lot left over. Make sure to store the mixture in the refrigerator or inside an airtight container.

Suggestions when working with papier-mâché

• Don’t leave left over mixture out, the yeast in the flour ferments
  and gets stinky.
• Don’t wait to wash out the bowel that held the mixture.
  It is hard to scrap off once dry.
• Keep a small cup of water on hand while creating, to thin out mixture.
• Spread out newspaper around work area, and wear an apron or grubby clothes.

Creating a Papier-Mache Veggie Tales Party Pinata

Below you can watch the steps taken as I was working with Papier-mâché, to create a custom "Bob & Larry" party piñata for my daughter’s Kindergarten Graduation class party. The entire process took a little over ten days (so much drying time), but I managed to fit it into two detailed videos outlining the entire process. These (2) videos are more for viewing enjoyment as opposed to my more usual instructional how to, so sit back, enjoy…oh, and don’t blink (you may miss something LOL! :o)

Part 1 of 2

Part 2 of 2

For creating these pinata forms I used a Punch Balloon to create the form of Bob's body, and a Giant Banner Balloon to form Larry's body.

Authentic Papier-Mache Veggie Tales Party Pinata

Bob and Larry are a couple of veggies that children can never get enough of, especially in my daughters’ class. For her Kindergarten Graduation class party, I volunteered to make the piñata. I first started with the idea to make just Bob the Tomato wearing a grad cap, but soon I upped the ante and added Larry the Cucumber to the mix. Knowing that the Kindergarten class is made up of 20 kids; all who need a turn to swing at the piñata. If not, it could result in many sad, little disappointed faces. With that in mind, I knew I wanted not only to create, but also accommodate.

A Monsters Inc. Party

Mike and Sully are a couple of monsters that are cute enough to plan a whole party theme around. For my son’s third birthday I did exactly that, a Monsters Inc. birthday party. I was able to find many coordinating Monster Incorporated party supplies to use as decorations. However, I still wanted to put an extra special touch on things.

I was able to get my hands on an 8’ x 4’ corrugated cardboard panel to make a custom party back drop. By utilizing my overhead projector, I was able to make precise outlines of Mike and Sully standing on a giant present. Once my outlines were in place, I used tempera paints to apply the color. After the paint was dry, I used a Permanent marker to go back and make bolder outline marks over the dried paint. As a little added fun, I decided to cut out Mike’s Eye so that guests could pop their faces out through the hole for pictures. I also could have easily replaced the eye, and have the guests stand in front of the party back drop with the birthday boy for a fun picture. I like to send these pictures to the guests along with the “Thank You” notes. This way guests have a memorable reminder of the party, along with a short sweet note of thanks and appreciation for taking part in the celebration.