Dinosaur Party -Pinata

 Ok, so I am kind of  REALLY delayed in posting this birthday pinata I made for Carter's party (which was in July), but I had kind of forgotten about it after I did that LONG post on the T-Rex cake. 

Anyway, my boy wanted to have a DINOSAUR birthday party so I made this Shonisaurus pinata.  For those of you who don't know what a Shonisaurus is, it's an ocean dwelling reptile that lived in the time of the dinosaurs.... don't worry, I wouldn't know either if I didn't have a future paleontologist on my hands.  Haha. 

I used a balloon for the basic form.  I started by doing a bunch of layers of papier mache on the balloon. Then used crushed newspapers and LOTS of masking tape to construct the tail and snout.  I attached these to the balloon shaped body with masking tape.  Then attached some string to make a handle.  Finally, after more layers of papier mache, I painted it and added the fins using lightweight cardboard (cereal boxes).  Carter loved it.  I doubt anyone else knew what it was -they probably figured I didn't know what color dolphins are supposed to be.  LOL.  But they had fun beating it to death (yes, morbid, I know...)

Oh, and I almost forgot the most important step -cut an opening and STUFF it to the gunnels with candy and tiny toys (dinosaurs),  Hope you like it as much as I liked making it!

A How to Train Your Dragon party -part 2: the pinata

This time for the pinata I used a balloon as the form/shape.  Makes it really quick -and EASY, which was nice because I was on a time crunch to get this party put together and I had been in Edmonton for 5 long weeks.

Painted it green with polka dots to be a "dragon egg".  But you could do it in one color and sponge on a co-ordinating color to make it look speckled, or whatever you want. 

We filled it with some toy dinosaurs (sadly, I couldn't find dragons at the Dollarama) and some mini bubble bottles, mini play doh containers, and, of course, some sweets.

I didn't make it strong enough though -we had one kid who really knew how to swing a bat and so not everyone got a good turn in.  Next year I will reinforce it -maybe 25 layers so that it holds up really well!

I just grabbed some paper bags and wrote the childrens' names on them and put some stickers on for loot bags.  For anyone who is going to try a pinata for a kids party, though, here is one rule we learned really fast in my house growing up:

When the pinata breaks no one is allowed to just grab everything.  You get a big bowl and everyone helps put the loot in the bowl, then you divvy it up later into the loot bags so no one is fighting over anything.


** Don't forget to follow along for Part 3: Activities **

Cinco de Mayo celebrations

Ole!

Meet Tomas, the taco pinata.  He is my latest masterpiece.  Sadly, he was beaten to death earlier this evening... but on a brighter note, he left behing many *sweet* memories (not to mention treats and toys).

Happy Cinco de Mayo,  Tomas -and to all you lovely folks too!

We had a great day today -filled with great food, good company and fun!

We made enchiladas for supper.  See my previous post here for more info on the food. 

Here are some more photos

Carter getting ready for the beating

Tomas, before he got all pimped out in his fiesta attire



Oh, papier mache, how I love thee!  So messy, so fun, so easy, so green (recycling those millions of unwanted flyers I get each week).... what more could a girl ask for?