Piñata Tips and Tricks

Piñata Tips & Tricks

How to Fill a Piñata

1. All piñatas have a designated opening for filling purposes. To find this area, look for the sticker on your piñata that says "press here to fill."


2. You can either press into that part of the piñata with your finger or carefully cut a U shaped flap using a knife or scissors.


3. Make sure you do not tear or cut off this section because it will make a hole.


4. Choose candy or small prizes that will fit into the hole (see piñata filler suggestions below) and place as many as you can inside the piñata.


5. The bigger the piñata, the more prizes it can hold. We suggest that you fill one piñata for every 8-12 guests.


6. After you fill the piñata, push the flap down or tape it in place.


7. Hang your piñata with sturdy rope or string by its plastic handle.


8. We suggest hanging the piñata about 1-2 feet above the guests' eye level.


9. You can even use your piñata as a table decoration and then hang it when it's time to play the game.

Piñata Filler Suggestions

Here are the best types of toys and candy to use as piñata filler. A good rule of thumb is to have three to four prizes for every child playing.

Good Piñata Filler Examples

• Miniature chocolate candy


• Individually wrapped hard or gummy candy


• Stretchy animal flings


• Shaped rubber bands


• Stampers


• Poppers


• Gold coins


• Child-sized rings


• Fun shaped erasers


• A bag of piñata filler which already includes candy and toys

Bad Piñata Filler Examples

Try not to use any prizes longer or wider than 2-inches. Also, try to avoid using candy that could break. Below are examples of items not to use and the reason why.

• Lollipops (breakable)


• Boxes of raisins (too big)


• Granola bars (too big)


• Bags of cookies/chips/crackers (too big)


• Stickers (they could blow away)


• Decks of cards (too big)


• Full size candy bars (too big)


• Anything sharp (hazard)

How to Play the Piñata Game

If you are using a regular piñata, you can choose to play the game either with or without a blindfold. Have one prepared and ask the children which they prefer. Older children should use a blindfold to make the game more challenging.

1. Set up some rules ahead of time to prevent the children from grabbing at prizes once the piñata breaks such as:
   
   
   • Each child can only have 3-4 prizes
   
   
   • No pushing or shoving
   
   
2. Line the children up single file according to height.


3. Stand everyone far enough from the piñata so that no one will get hurt by the person swinging.


4. The shortest child should play first. (This is a good idea especially if you have children of different ages playing. The oldest child will most likely hit the hardest and break the piñata. This way, everyone should get at least one turn.)


5. If you're playing with blindfolds, tie it around the first player's eyes. You can use a scarf or tie if you don't have a blindfold.


6. Hand the first child in line a baseball bat (wooden or plastic) or a broom handle.


7. Spin them around three times slowly and then stop spinning once they are facing the piñata.


8. The child now gets three chances to break the piñata open with the bat.


9. After they take their three turns, the next child in line gets blindfolded and spun around.


10. Continue taking turns until one child manages to break open the piñata.


11. After the piñata is open, give your guests empty favor bags to fill with prizes.

How to Use a Pull-String Piñata

If you are playing the piñata game with a pull-string piñata, see the directions below.

1. Set up some rules ahead of time to prevent the children from grabbing once the piñata breaks such as:


• Each child can only have 3-4 prizes


• No pushing or shoving


2. You can use a pull-string piñata one of two ways.


• For younger guests: Have all the guests pull a different ribbon at the same time.


• For older guests: Have the children take turns choosing one ribbon to pull.


3. Only one ribbon will pull open the trap door to make the prizes fall out!


4. After the piñata is open, give your guests empty favor bags to fill with prizes.

Questions & Answers

Here are some answers to common piñata questions or concerns.

What is the recommended age for playing the piñata game?

We highly recommend that children under 3 should not play the piñata game. Piñatas are filled with small prizes that could be choking hazards for toddlers. Also, children under 3 could get hurt during the game. You should also keep pets away while this game is played.


How much piñata filler do I need for my piñata?

Refer to the size of the piñata before you purchase it to make sure it will hold enough candy for all of your guests. If you're having a big party, you may need more than one piñata.

• A 16 to 28-inch piñata can hold up to 2 pounds of prizes or about 100 pieces of piñata filler. This is enough for 8-10 children.


• A piñata up to 34 inches high will hold up to 3 pounds of prizes or about 150 pieces of piñata filler. This is enough for about 12-15 children.

When should I use a pull-string piñata?

There are several situations where a pull-string piñata is more appropriate for your party.

• Children between ages 3 and 7 will have an easier time opening a pull-string piñata.


• If your party is indoors


• If you have a lot of children at the party, a pull-string typically has 20 strings to pull.


• A shy group of children may prefer a pull-string

What if my piñata won't break?

Don't panic if your piñata won't break. In some cases, you may need to hit the piñata in just the right spot with just the right amount of force for the prizes to fall out. This will normally be towards the bottom center of the piñata. If you try to hit the piñata in the bottom center and the prizes still won't fall out, cut a small slot in the bottom center and then continue playing the game. This is a rare occurrence but happens sometimes if your piñata is particularly large and sturdy.

Converting to a Pull-String

How to Make a Pull-String Piñata

A pull-string piñata works well for younger children and enclosed spaces, as well as for piñatas that your child might not feel comfortable hitting, such as a familiar licensed character. Instead of hitting the piñata, children pull strings attached to a hidden door that opens the piñata and releases the candy. Most piñatas can be converted to a pull-string style using the following instructions:

1. Set the piñata down with the bottom facing up. Some oddly-shaped piñatas may require creativity in deciding where the pull flap should be placed.


2. On the bottom, use an Exacto or utility knife to make a 3-sided trap door with approximately 3- to 4-inch sides.


3. Use the point of the blade to make small slits through the cardboard on the flap, making enough slits for each ribbon that you plan to use (at least one for each guest).


4. Cut the appropriate number of ribbons. Ribbon length should correspond to the height at which you plan to hang the piñata.


5. Thread a ribbon through each slit and attach them in one of two ways:
   
   
   • Knot all of the ribbons together inside the flap. This allows all the children to pull the strings at the same time to open the piñata as a group.
   
   
   • Knot just one or two ribbons and leave the rest loose. This will allow each guest to select a ribbon to pull until someone finds the one that opens the flap.
   
   
6. Fill the piñata with candy and/or small prizes.


7. Close the flap and lightly seal it with a small piece of Scotch tape, using enough to hold the flap shut but not so much that you prevent the door from opening when someone pulls the knotted ribbon(s).

Save time by purchasing our Pull Ribbon Piñata Conversion Kit, which includes 20 cut ribbons, tissue paper, and instructions.