Treasure Chest Piñata

• A treasure chest piñata can be made by using a shipping box as a base, instead of a balloon. If you want to make a pull piñata, where the piñata is opened by pulling a string and opening a trap door, you can just papier-mâché the entire box, cutting out the flap that will be opened with the pull string. However, you can still make a traditional piñata using a box as a mold. Cut the box along each edge before you begin, then reassemble it with a few strips of scotch tape. This will make it easier to remove the box when you are done. Cover the box will aluminum foil before applying the papier-mâché to three sides. When the papier-mâché is dry, snip the tape holding the sides together, then remove the box. Lay papier-mâché over the open side to enclose the box. After the papier-mâché is dry, you can paint the treasure chest or cover it with tissue paper, if desired.
  
  

Castle Piñata

• A castle piñata can be made using the same square base used for the treasure chest piñata. After the square is complete, you'll want to add towers at the corners. These can be made using toilet paper rolls or cones made from poster board. Glue one tower to each corner, and cover with papier-mâché. Allow the piñata to dry, then decorate the castle as desired.
  
  

Baby Rattle Piñata

• A baby rattle piñata can be made by joining two traditional balloon piñatas with a paper towel tube. The two balloon piñatas should be made first, and a small hole made on each one. The paper towel tube should be inserted in the hole of each balloon piñata and covered with papier-mâché. This same design can be decorated as a dumbbell.
  
  

Cake Piñata

• A hatbox can be used as a mold for a cake piñata, using the same technique as with the cardboard box. Cut a few vertical slits in the sides of the hat box, and reassemble it with tape. If you don't have a hatbox, create a cylinder out of poster board that is the size you'd like your "cake" to be. Join the poster board lightly with tape. Cover the hat box or cylinder with aluminum foil, then cover the mold with papier-mâché. Allow the papier-mâché to dry, remove the mold, and papier-mâché the fourth side. Decorate as desired.