There’s something wrong with a Piñata? Oh for goodness sakes…hmm, well, OK. I do subscribe to non-violent parenting after all....
Now that I think of it, I’m not really fond of the excessive air slashing that is an integral part of the piñata breaking process. Besides the obvious dangers of injury to nearby parties, it’s a wee bit violent and favors the bigger, stronger kids over the smaller ones – it would anyway if parental involvement wasn’t a given.
Of course, now “pull-string” piñatas are available, which address the non-violent part of the game but fail to consider the tears inherent when the first person “breaks” the piñata and no one else gets a turn.
Enter the non-violent, equal opportunity piñata.
My friend, Crystal, the who claims she isn’t creative but manages to make amazing crafts, told me about these papier-mâché balls and inspired me to attempt some. Besides their use as piñatas, they also make an excellent party game or Easter basket alternative.
Here’s how it works. Blow up a balloon. Papier-mâché it. Dry. Pop-it. Fill with little toys and presents. Let the children toss; kick; roll the ball back and forth until the "piñata" breaks and the presents fall out. No whacking involved and since it takes a while for the ball to break, most everyone gets a turn to touch the ball.
Popular with Waldorf and non-violent communication parents, treasure balls are easy to make.
Blow up a large balloon and using any popular papier-mâché recipe, coat the balloon with newsprint paper - (unprinted) or any semi-porous white paper- I used large easel paper. At that point you can either add a second coat of colored tissue paper, or wait for it to dry (a day or two depending on the weather) and paint it. Make sure you completely cover the balloon top so there are no holes.
Set it out to dry on a plate or a flower pot.
Once dry, stick a pin through the ball to pop the balloon; then cut a small “door” in the ball and insert prizes. Miniatures, handmade tiny dolls and polished rocks are standard Waldorf fair but, you can substitute any traditional piñata filling. Add one more coat of papier-mâché to close up the door again and cover any holes.
You can also purchase pre-made Treasure balls on E-bay from time to time or at local craft fairs.
For more great Works for me Wednesday ideas visit Rocks in My Dryer
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The Treasure Ball – “A Non-Violent Parenting” Piñata
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18 comments:
What a fun idea :).
what a cute alternative. :)
gonna have to try these at the next bday party.
(I found you through shannon)
Thanks for stopping by, lammy -I'll check out your site too!
Wow that is such a great idea. I wanted to do one for my son's party, but also don't like the hitting thing and the string was no fun, I so know what I am going to be making for next year.
Thanks for sharing it with us.
What fun!
If you've been in the midst of a crowd at a piñata party, you know how scary it can be. My son has gotten in the way of the baseball bat or other stick used more than once in an overeager attempt to grab at an early falling piece of candy!
What a great idea. My kids made little hot air balloons - paper mache, strings attached, milk cartoons for the basket and they made little people to put in the baskets. It was so fun and they are so pretty to hang in the kids rooms.
Super!
I like these - very neat!
That sounds like a fun thing to try at our next birthday party. I may make a small one for each child rather than doing the traditional treat bags! Thanks!
Wow, my grandmother used to make these. She called them Surprise Balls, and I'd completely forgotten about them. Thanks for the memory. I'll have to try 'em someday for my daughter.
I love this idea! I have never heard of these! It would be such a fun project for the kids to make together in preparation for a birthday party. I think we will try this for my son's birthday in June. Thank you!
Great idea! We like having homemade pinatas at our birthday parties, but I've been rather irritated with them. This is the perfect solution! Thanks so much. :)
We use the same method to make our autumn lanterns...but that's a great idea to use papier mache for a treasure ball!
Henitsirk,
Yes, it is the same method used to make St. Martin's Day lanterns. I made the mistake the first time of leaving the balloon end stick out and hanging it on a clothespin to dry, as we did with the lanterns...oops- made a hole :-)
This is a great alternative to pinatas! Thanks so much for sharing! ~Dandelion Momma
I was looking for an idea like this. I was planning to have a piñata party until I found this site: http://www.downwithpinatas.com
Thanks for this!
I love seeing this! I have been selling my version on Ebay and Etsy for years. I started making them when my deaf son went to a birthday party and was blind folded to hit the pinata.
Here is my description of why I make them and fill them with eco friendly filling:
This toy is for all the parents out there who have come home with a pile of plastic oddities from another child's pinata. Myself I stare like a deer in headlights wondering exactly what do with it. My fillings are a natural alternative. The materials can be used for many activities. The other items would blend nicely into any home. I also have a deaf child who, blindfolded and armed with a large stick can strike fear into the bravest soul. So we still enjoy the thrill of pinatas but play soccer with them instead of hitting them.
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