When it comes to Mexican goods, the Pinata is one of the first things that come to mind. Pinatas are enjoyed world wide for their festive presence and the promise of fun. They are beautiful fabulous creations and are used for party decorations and are also used as a fun game. Usually it is heightened at the end of a party with candies and toys inside it. Today, pinatas can be purchased that look like Sponge Bob, Superman, and Mickey Mouse or just about anything you desire. Most of us associate pinatas as being only Mexican but their origins are elsewhere.

Unlike most Mexican goods, the pinata’s origins are multi cultural. The merchant and great traveler, Marco Polis is known to have seen a version of the modern-day pinata when he was exploring in the Orient 13th Century. They were celebrating with miniature representations of animals that were fashioned out of craft materials and made hollow to accommodate seeds. On a given holiday, it would be displayed, usually hanging from a tree branch and beaten with a stick, therefore releasing the contents inside the pinatas. Seeds represented a good forthcoming harvest and also portended wealth and prosperity.

Marco Polo, as legend claims, upon returning to his native Italy, loaded his vessel with luxurious silks, exotic spices and he also brought an ancient version of the modern-day piñata and introduced it the Catholic Church, and it became intertwined with religious holidays. It was not long before the tradition spread from Italy to Spain which in turn came to New World from Spain. The missionaries used the piñata to teach the natives their religious doctrine. Interestingly, this method succeeded in teaching the indigenous peoples of Mexico because they already had their own version of the pinatas.

The Aztecs would honor their god each year with a gift. This offering took shape in the form of a clay pot that contained presents. When the contents fell to the ground, it was a sign to the Aztecs that the offerings had been received. Wearing a blindfold while trying to break open the pinata is also rooted in the past. The ancient Mayan were known to play their game blindfolded. Taking note of this practice was the Spanish missionaries and they incorporated the blindfold into the teachings with the pinatas. Today, pinatas are one of the most sought after Mexican Goods. Pinatas are in very high demand in the United States. The most popular pinatas have to do with a child’s birthday party. Children love the game as well as the hidden treasures inside.

Parties, fun games and activities, and pinatas go hand in hand. In many cases, Pinatas can be expensive to have made, and they are traditionally filled with sugar laden candies. If you would like to combine a craft with healthy alternatives, you can easily make your own pinata, or even allow guests to create mini pinatas to take home as party favors.

Hang a clothes line outdoors, and have plenty of clothes pins. This will be a good place to allow the pinatas to dry while the guests play other games. Consider making one large pinatas for the guests to play with in a traditional manner, if you are making individual pinatas for as take home party favors. To make easy pinatas, purchase balloons that will blow up to an appropriate size. Insert pencils, markers, stickers, sugar free gum, small toys, etc. into the balloon. Inflate it, being sure to blow it up fairly tightly, and tie it off. Tie a string onto it, so that you will be able to remove it later.

Mix equal parts of white glue and water, and put it on a covered craft table in large open containers. Use old newspaper, crepe paper, or colored construction paper to dip in the glue and apply to the balloon. Be sure to have plenty of supervision for this craft, and make sure the glue is used sparingly. When each balloon is covered with paper, take it outside, and hang from clothes line to dry.

The final activity of the day should allow enough dry time for the pinatas. Use a very long, sharp needle to push through the balloon, so the balloon will burst and make it easier for the partiers to break their pinata. This works especially well if you want to hand out something for the guests to take home with them. They can take home a nice surprise, break their pinata at home, and enjoy their party favors there.