For Jonas's third birthday, he requested a "Dinosaur Party". He talked about it for weeks...maybe months. Upon searching for birthday supplies, I found that I was not crazy about what I could find. Not a big fan of the "scary looking" dinosaurs. Most plates had big t-rex's with huge gnarling teeth flashing. Not very 3 year old friendly.
So, I decided one thing I could make myself is a pinata.
This is how I started...a "punching" balloon (you know, the kind with the rubber band hooked to it so you can make it go --bam bam bam bam bam!). I covered the "Belly button" where the rubber band was with a styrofoam cup...the beginning of the tail skeleton.
Next, I cut our spikes out of cereal box cardboard and taped them on. Next time, I will use duct tape.
Then I used a paper towel roll and more cardboard to make feet. I wasn't thrilled with the feet in the end. They needed to be "beefier" but this was my first try... :)
I added a smaller balloon for a head, and used more cardboard to attach it and make a "neck". I then used newspaper and wrapped them around the cup and twisted them into the end of the tail and secured with tape. I don't have a picture of all that though. :(
One thing I learned is that, if your skeleton is fragile, the end resulting pinata will be fragile. I ended up stapling with a staple gun the tail back on pre-party because it fell off. So I will use more duct tape. I also popped on balloon and had to transfer the tail and spikes over to a new balloon. I was trying to recycle a plastic container for the neck. I was cutting it to make a better curve, and the sharp plastic edge popped him. So no plastic...and more duct tape. :)
After I did the paper mache (One part flour to five parts water...the first time I "cooked" it like I read online, after talking to some friends, I just used flour and water, and it worked fine.)
My box of strips...
My paste: The non-cooked kind. The cooked kind was much thicker, and worked too. :)
Here's what the final skeleton looked like:
Pretty cute, huh?
I was going to paint him, but decided to use a tissue paper technique instead...layer upon layer of fringed tissue. Here's the final product...
As you can see I added construction paper polka dots and some paper eyes. All in all I was happy. He was a little more "lizard-like" than I wanted, but he was a friendly dinosaur. :) Jonas loved him. And he thought it was great breaking him open with a stick...I could have cried after the hours it took to make him, but as long as Jonas had fun, it was worth it. Oh, and it cost me about $5 to make, so that is awesome!! :) Store bought ones are way smaller and more expensive.
More dino details to come!
Then on to planning my Jaxon's owl party!!
