Mexican Games/Crafts

Piñata

1 large balloon
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water
a squeeze of two of white glue
newspaper torn (not cut) into strips
for decorating
colored tissue
streamers
thin cardboard
decorations, glitter, gems...
hole punch
string
rope or strong cord
candies and small trinkets

Inflate the balloon (just air, not helium).
Tie the balloon with a string to hang it up.
Make papier-mâché paste, by combining flour, a little water, and a little glue. Keep mixing until the consistency of glue has been reached.
Soak newspaper strips in paste, squeeze off excess, and lay over the balloon.
Continue adding strips, slightly overlapping them, cover the entire balloon, except a small opening at the top for putting in candy and small toys.
Add a second layer, then let dry 24 hours.
Add two more layers of papier-mâché, let dry 24 hours.
Now for the real fun.
Glue on the colored tissue paper.
To make fringe, cut the streamers every 1/4 inch. Wrap around the piñata,
Make cones from the cardboard, decorate and attach to make a star.
If the balloon is still inflated, pop it.
With the hole punch, punch a hole at the top by the opening, and another hole on the opposite side of the opening.
Loop string though the holes, tie off.
Fill the piñata with candies and small toys.
Tie a rope to the sting.

To Play:
Hang the piñata on a hook or over a tree branch.
Someone will need to pull on the rope to move the piñata around.
Each child in turn will get a chance to break the piñata.
Blindfold the child, spin them around once or twice, and let them whack at it with a long stick.
Be careful: Don't let the children scramble to get goodies until the blindfolded child is aware the piñata has broken and stops swinging.

Mexican Activities

Mexican Hat Dance

Click the speaker to hear the
Mexican Hat Dance midi

All you really need is the Mexican Hat Dance music and a partner.
The beat is goes something like this:
1-2-3 clap clap
1-2-3 clap clap
1-2-3 clap clap
1-2-3 clap clap (this repeats a few more times)
then there is a medley change

Okay, stand facing a partner.
Begin with by standing with your feet together and you hands on your hips.
On the 1 beat do a little hop and land with one heel forward.
On the 2 beat, hop and switch your feet.
On the 3 beat, hop and switch your feet again.
Clap your hand twice, in time with the music.
Repeat this about 9 times.
Now the medley will change. Link arms with your partner (you should be facing opposite directions) and swing around in a circle. After a 4 count you'll switch directions with your partner and head the other direction. Switch every 4 count. This happens about 4 times.
Start all over from the beginning. The trick here is the music will get faster and faster!