You don’t have to make a piñata stick – any good solid broomstick will do. But I like to have a piñata stick that matches the piñata, and they’re easy to make. This is how I make a basic piñata stick.
I start with a 4-foot-long hardwood dowel rod from a hardware store (under $4). Four feet is too long and is more likely to break when it hits the piñata, so I cut off 6 – 12 inches before decorating.
For younger kids: 7/8” diameter × 3 feet long
For older kids: 1” diameter × 3 – 3½ feet long
I smooth out the sharp corners at both ends using sandpaper, then I put a mark about 8 – 10 inches from the bottom of the stick. This is where the handle will end. I usually use electrical tape to create a non-slip handle, so at this point I spray paint the bottom end of the handle black. You’ll see why in a minute.
I decide on a color scheme for the piñata stick. If you want to have distinct color bands, mark where they’ll go on the stick.
To cover the top end of the stick with crepe paper, I apply glue to the sides of the stick near the top and bend a piece of crepe paper over the end. I always put two layers over the end of the stick make sure it’s well covered. I don’t put glue on the very end of the stick because it will soak through the crepe paper and won’t look as good.
After the tip is covered with solid pieces of crepe paper, I start wrapping the piñata stick with snipped crepe paper. I begin at the top and work toward the handle, with the snipped edge facing the top end of the stick. I apply a couple inches of glue at a time as I work my way down. I stop when I reach the mark I made earlier for the top of the handle.
To make the handle I wrap the stick in black electrical tape from where the crepe paper ended to the base of the stick. The bottom end of the stick is already painted black so I just cut the tape at the end and don’t worry about taping over the bottom end of the stick. I use electrical tape for the handle because it provides a good grip.
Then, starting at the bottom of the stick, I gently comb the fringes downward toward the handle. In this photo the handle is to the left and the tip of the stick is to the right.
When you’re finished your piñata stick will have a fun, festive look to it – much better than a broomstick!
That’s a meter stick in the photo for scale. It’s 39 inches long.
The sword in the middle was spray painted silver. The hilt is a paper bowl painted gold, the handle is a velvety cloth that has been hot glued on, and the pommel is a Styrofoam ball painted gold.
Click on the images for a clearer view of the finished handles.
Used piñata sticks can be stripped and redecorated, saving you time and money the next time you need one.
Used
New