History of Pinatas

Tradition & History of Piñata Party Game

Piñatas have been used for hundreds of years in Latin America to celebrate special occasions such as birthday parties and Christmas.
Having a pinata at every celebration is extremeley popular in all of Latin America where all children's parties have piñatas.

The exact origin of the piñata party game is disputed, but many agree it originated in Europe in ancient times. Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece have all claimed the origin of a themed Pinata at a party. Historians argue has it that it started as a simple painted clay pot decorated with colorful paper and filled with coins and sweets. Even today, many party-goers in central and southern Mexico are still using the clay pot as opposed to the paper Mache piñata that we are all used to.

The traditional star-shaped piñata design was a part of early Christmas posadas representing the Star of Bethlehem that guided worshippers in their search for refuge. A posada is a popular Hispanic celebration during the Christmas season.

The tradition spread to the New World and flourished. Artisans created animal and other piñata designs to delight children at festivities and provide an entertaining activity for young and old party-goers alike. Although breaking a piñata at themed birthday party is very much a tradition among Hispanics, the fun game has spread throughout the entire United States since the 1960’s. It has replaced the game of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” as the party game of choice.

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How To Convert A Pinata into a Pullina

Some parents prefer a pullina - a pianta with special ribbons attached so that one opens the trap dorr beneath the pianta to release the goodies inside. Many pinatas have ribbon decorations, these are not pullinas.

On the bottom, use a sharp knife or scissors to make a 3-sided trap door with approximately 3 to 4 inch sides.

Use the point of the blade to make small slits through the cardboard on the flap. Make a slit for each ribbon that you plan to use (at least one for each guest). Thread a ribbon through each slit. Ribbon length should vary according to the height at which you plan to hang your pinata.

If you want all of the children to open the pinata at the same time,
knot all of the ribbons (inside the flap). Traditionally, one or two ribbons
are knotted, leaving the rest loose. The children take turns pulling one
ribbon at a time. One ribbon will open the pinata flap.

Fill you pinata with sweets and/or small gifts. Close the flap and
lightly seal with a small piece of cellotape, using enough to hold
the flap shut but not so much as to prevent the door from opening
when the ribbon(s) are pulled!

How to Play the Pinata Party Game

WE RECOMMEND THE PINATA GAME MUST ALWAYS BE PLAYED UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION!

Step by Step Instructions:

Whether you are having an adult or child's indoor or outdoor party, the pinata party game is bound to be the highlight of the party. It's a great finale and it’s a great birthday party game.

1. First, make sure you have everything needed to play the party game, such as a rope, a place from where you're going to suspend the pinata (such as a tree branch, a basketball hoop, two adults holding ends of a rope with a pinata hanging in middle, etc.), pinata candy and/or toy stuffers (can include large confetti), a pinata buster stick and a scarf for the participants.

2. Fill the pinata with your themed goodies before guests arrive at the party, so that they won't know what surprises are inside. This gives the children an element of surprise for party game ahead.

3. Before the party game starts, you may use the pinata as a themed centerpiece. When you’re ready to begin the party game, take the pinata and hang it in the party game area.

4. Organise the children in a line, starting with the smallest one all the way to the tallest one. If the boy or girl is very young, they won't require a blindfold. Traditionally, children over 3 years old are blindfolded, then spun around a few times, provided with the pinata buster stick and let loose to play the party game by hitting the pinata.

5. For safety's sake, while a child is hitting the pinata during the game, all other children must be kept away (a minimum 15' radius is recommended) from the hitter. Furthermore, the child should have completely stopped hiting the pinata before you allow the other children to collect any sweets or get any closer.

6. Allow each child to hit the pinata at least a couple of times before you move on to the next child.
To make the pinata party game even more fun, the pinata can be swung up and down, and guests must be encouraged to misdirect the pinata hitter (if the pinata is down, tell the hitter the pinata is up, etc).

You may also want to throw sweets with your hands while the pinata is being hit. To make sure that all kids have fun, make sure that all children have got some sweets at the end of the game.

CLICK HERE to see our full pinata party range - or click on the image below of the pinata you like...........