Thursday, March 31, 2011

How to make a Lego Pinata

This was seriously the easiest thing I have made to date for my kids.

As you may know, the little one is turning 6 next month and wants a Lego party. Ok..no problem. It just so happens that May is THE busiest month in our year, so I have to start making things like yesterday.

So I have made some banners, his name sign, a balloon wreath, a few games, and have ordered a Lego mold to make more favors and decor...but the pinata was scaring me a little.

Not a lot, but enough to make me put it off for over a month. But really, it was EASY!!!! And so much cheaper than going out and buying one that may or may not fit your theme.

Jansen was very specific about wanting a square, red Lego brick pinata. And after two days...here it is...


Total cost $12 for the candy inside and for one can of red spray paint (which will be used to paint other decorations for the party. Here is the play-by-play.

First, I cooked up a little paper mache.

4 Cups of water
3 Tbsp sugar
1.5 cups of flour

Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a saucepan on your stove. While that is coming to a boil, in another bowl, whisk together the 2 remaining cups of water with the flour. Once the water on the stove is boiling, add your flour mixture. Return to a boil, then remove from heat. Whisk in the sugar, pour into a bowl and let it cool.

While this is cooling, get your box.


I chose a box Jansen had left over from a toy he got for Christmas. It was square and had enough sturdiness to it. I had left over Halloween cups that I placed on the box to figure out the right size for the dots.


Then cut the bottoms out of the cups and hot glue them to the box.


I cut rectangles out of the sides of the box and a couple out of the top for the rope to go through.
A helpful tip for this??? Reinforce this cut with some extra cardboard.

The rope will be holding the entire weight of the pinata and the candy inside.

Earlier that week, I had gone up to my childrens' school to use their paper cutter because I didn't have one at home. I highly recommend using one!!! Cut newspaper in various widths from 1-3 inches.

By this time, the paper mache should be cooler and ready to use. Start covering!
I found that wearing an apron and having some paper towels handy was very helpful because this is messy. Dip your strips into the mache, squeegie it off with your fingers and place it over the box, smoothing as you go.


After the first coat is dry(in about 12 hours), put on an additional coat of mache. I found that 2 full coats gave it stability but shouldn't be so concrete that the kids can't break it open.

At this point, I let mine dry overnight with a fan on it to speed up the process a little.

Then I sprayed a coat of primer, followed by two coats of Red Tomato, and hung it to dry.




It is perfect! I love it and I know Jansen is going to be ecstatic when he sees it. This is one time that I saw that going EXACTLY THE SAME in my mind....

21 comments:

  1. This is perfect! I'll have to remember this for my son's birthday in June! Thanks!

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  2. This is great! I'll have to save this one to use later! My boys love legos.

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  3. Cute idea! My boys LOVE legos! :) Thanks for linking up!

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  4. This is perfect for a lego party. My son's would love it. Thanks for sharing over at Gluesticks. I'm so glad I happened upon your site.

    http://boyohboyohboycrafts.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this! I saw you on Strut Your Stuff on Somewhat Simple

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  6. This is so cool!!! I found you on Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Chic Cottage. Thanks for sharing this idea.

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  7. What a cute idea. love it thank you for the tutorial. I love the name of your blog by the way! following you now. Happy Friday Hugs!

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  8. GREAT job! my lego fanatic would love this (the 40 y/o and the 6 y/o)!!!

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  9. Adorable!! I featured it on my Celebrations and Holidays blog.
    http://celebrationsandholidays.blogspot.com/2011/04/lego-pinata-by-i-saw-that-going.html

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  10. Oh how clever! I am doing a Lego party (in May) for my youngest, who is turning 5. We have everything planned but the shape of the piƱata. Last year I made a rocket ship to go with his Toy Story party. Clever idea, you have just given me the inspiration I have been searching for! Awesome!! Thanks too. :)

    (found you through show and tell saturday - and now a new follower)

    -T

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  11. Looks terrific! My oldest had a lego party last year when he turned 7. :)

    Stopping by from Dittle Dattle.

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  12. That turned out amazing! My almost 4 year old would have a blast with this pinata :)

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  13. My son wants a Lego party for his 7th birthday this summer. I'm going to follow your blog so I can see what other great ideas I can borrow. ;) This pinata looks great and I wouldn't have thought to make my own.

    I like the name of your blog too....many times I've had the same thoughts.

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  14. I love this! I have 3 boys and I've done the Lego party before, but we didn't have a pinata!
    http://thrifty101.blogspot.com/2010/10/lego-birthday-party-ideas.html
    Thanks for linking up at DIY Thrifty Thursday!

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  15. awesome job! so creative. Thanks for sharing @ ccc

    gail

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  16. Now this is darn creative!! My son's b-day's were in Jan but I think I will make one for my b-day now in June. The kids will think it's a hoot!! :) Thank you for linking to my K.I.S.S. blog bash this past week. I so appreciate you taking the time to share your charming craft. Tomorrow is another blog bash, please drop by & share more of your inspiring ideas!

    Drop By The Tattered Tag

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  17. My son is turning 10 tomorrow, Im making the Lego Pinata for his Birthday Party on Sunday. Thanks for sharing, the pictures really helped too :)

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  18. its cool i was looking this up cuase we are making my brother and surpise pinata for his birthday and he loves legos and we werent sure how to make one.

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  19. Hey when did you put the candy in? Did you put it in Piece by Piece into the rope Holes at the top? THanks

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