How to make a ice cream pinata

Learn how to make a big pinata in the shape of a giant ice cream with Tiffany's free tutorial. It's going to be a summer party staple!

Try 6 issues of your choice of craft magazine from just £9.99

Published: June 16, 2021 at 10:00 am

Summer is here and it's all about picnics, parties, and holidays for us. To keep yourselves and your guests occupied however you'll need some entertainment. And what better way to have fun in the sun than with a homemade pinata! And a piñata shaped like ice cream? Heck yes! Tiffany, from Simply Modern Mom, explains how to make this fun (and, eventually, tasty) party decoration that'll be a hit with all your guests. You can make your ice cream in whatever flavour you fancy, just choose the tissue paper that goes with your flavour (mint green for mint choc chip or cream for vanilla). You could also decorate your ice cream pinata with tissue paper sprinkles, a toilet paper flake or even a paper mache cherry!

Once you've finished making your pinata check out our other crafty projects in our free craft patterns. There's over 100 projects to choose from. We also have over 50 five minutes crafts and loads of sustainable crafts to keep you entertained all summer long. But before we get carried away with other projects, here's Tiffany's tutorial on how to make a pinata ice cream...

how to make a big pinata

Please note start this project a week before your party – you’ll need 24 hours of drying time between each step

You will need:

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup multipurpose glue
  • Balloon
  • Wax paper
  • Packaging tape
  • Posterboard
  • Newspaper
  • Large masking tape
  • Glue sticks
  • Crepe paper
  • Unbleached coffee filter
  • Cord, rope, or string
  • Craft knife
  • Sweets or other fillers

How to make an ice cream pinata

You will need:

  • Newspaper
  • Glue
  • Balloon

Step 1

how to make a big pinata step 1

Combine the flour, water and glue to make your adhesive. Mix well and do your best to get as many of the lumps out as possible. We go more into depth on how to make paper mache in our blog post.

Step 2

how to make a big pinata step 2

Tear your newspaper into 2-inch strips. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be perfect.

Step 3

how to make a big pinata step 3

We’re going to tackle the cone of the piñata next. Take your poster board and cut the length in half. Roll it into the shape of a cone and tape together with packaging tape. Blow up the balloon and use that to measure the opening of the cone. Trim the top of the cone so that it’s even [pictured below].

Step 4

how to make a big pinata step 4
how to make a big pinata step 5

Cover the cone in wax paper. This is so the poster board cone and wax paper can be removed later. Tuck the wax paper in at the top and bottom of the cone [pictured below].

Step 5

how to make a big pinata step 6
how to make a big pinata step 7

Now it’s time for papier måché! Start by dipping a piece of newspaper in the adhesive mixture. It’s best to stir the mixture often because the flour and glue settle.

After you dip the paper, run the paper between two fingers to remove any excess. Cover the cone from top to bottom one layer at a time. Allow each layer to dry fully before moving on to the next.

Please note Don’t do more than three layers. Any more than three layers will make it too hard for the kids to hit open.

Step 6

how to make a big pinata step 8

Allow to dry for 24 hours then remove the poster board and wax paper from the inside of the cone. The wax paper should peel right off the papier måché.

Step 7

how to make a big pinata step 9

Blow up the balloon and set it on top of the cone. Stand the cone in something to keep it steady, such as a large vase. Then papier måché the ‘ice cream’.

Apply three layers like you did with the cone section, allowing each layer to dry fully before applying the next one. Papier måché over the cone to connect the ice cream with the cone. Allow to dry for at least 24 hours.

Step 8

how to make a big pinata step 10

Once everything is fully dry, cut an opening flap with the craft knife (remember to only cut three sides) on the ice cream part of the piñata. Make sure the opening is big enough for you to stick your hands through. As you cut the opening, that should pop the balloon. Remove the balloon.

Step 9

how to make a big pinata step 11
how to make a big pinata step 12

Stuff the inside of the piñata with sweets, treats and crepe paper so the goodies don’t all settle at the bottom.

 

Step 10

how to make a big pinata step 13

Using the knife again, cut an ‘X’ at the top of the ice cream for the rope.

Step 11

how to make a big pinata step 14
how to make a big pinata step 15 how to make a big pinata step 16

Thread the rope through the hole and tie a knot on the inside of the piñata. Make sure the knot is large enough that it doesn’t pull through the hole. You may need to double knot it. You could also use twine and braid it to make it stronger.

Step 12

how to make a big pinata step 17

Next tape the three sides of the opening with masking tape (clear packaging tape doesn’t stick to this surface).

Step 13

how to make a big pinata step 18

Cut the bottoms of the unbleached coffee filters so you only use the ruffled sides. Using strong glue sticks, secure them to the cone section of the piñata. You’ll find it easier to work from the bottom up.

Step 14

how to make a big pinata step 19 how to make a big pinata step 20

Once you reach the ice cream portion of the piñata, start decorating with the crepe paper and secure with the glue stick. Work your way up to the rope… and you’re done!

how to make a big pinata step 21

Your ice cream pinata is complete! We hope you’ve enjoyed making it. Check out our paper mache ideas for kids to get your little ones in on the fun too. For more of Tiffany’s projects head over to her blog, Simply Modern Mom.

This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
© Our Media 2023