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What you'll need:
- 1 12-inch balloon
- 1 9-inch balloon
- Papier mache paste (directions follow)
- newspaper, torn into 2" wide strips
- 4 cardboard tubes from toilet paper rolls
- 1 pipecleaner
- a hot glue gun
- craft paint
- white paper
- aluminum foil
- a black marker
How to make the pinata:
Blow up the balloons, but don't completely inflate the 9-inch balloon. Dip the newspaper strips into the papier mache paste, wiping off excess, and put onto balloons. Leave a 3-inch circle at the neck end of each balloon uncovered. Let dry overnight. Put another coat of strips on each balloon. Let dry overnight. Pop balloons, and remove all pieces and discard. Using hot glue gun, attach smaller balloon to larger, with open ends together. Glue on cardboard tubes for arms and legs. Tie a long length of yarn or twine around the neck of the pinata. (This is what you'll hang the pinata with.) Form pipecleaner into antennae shape, and glue on top of the head. Cover all glued seams, cardboard tubes, and pipecleaner with newspaper strips dipped in paste. Let dry 24-48 hours. Paint entire pinata. (This may take two or three coats). Let dry completely. Add a face and ears out of paper. Glue on a squre of foil to the tummy. Cut a small door in the back of the pinata's head to insert the goodies.
To make a different Teletubby, change the shape of the antennae. Laa-laa has a curly one, Dipsy's is straight up, and Tinky Winky has an upside-down triangle.
Papier mache paste
Before you start, cover your work surface with newspaper--papier-mache can get very messy.
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cold water
2 cups boiling water
3 tbsp. sugar
In a bowl, combine the flour and cold water. Add that mixture to the saucepan of boiling water and allow it to return to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar. Let the mixture cool; it will thicken as it does. Once the paste cools, it is ready to use.