[KnightsofNi]

DD and I would like to make a pinata for her 5th birthday party.

I can deal with the violent smacking with a stick (we will of course, only let one child near the pinata at a time). But I don't know that I can deal with all the kids grabbing (and probably fighting) over the spoils once broken open. DD will be having a whole class party (it is her FYOS, so I think that would be nice), so there will be a lot of kids.

Do you think it would be possible to put one of everything in the pinata for every child and then put it into their party bags, rather than letting the aggressive little kids get everything?

Maybe we should just not do it. But it would make a nice craft activity for DD and would be a nice decoration.....

[baddmammajamma]

We typically have a piñata every year at our kids' parties (they are now 5 & 7, and we introduced the piñata at age 3). They are always a big "hit" (no pun intended), and thus far, no fist fights. That includes my daughter's FYOS party that had 32 kids (ages 3 - 8).

Just make sure the thing is stuff full of cheap candy/treats so that everyone gets something. Keep an extra little stash handy in case someone walks away empty handed.

It's really not much different from a treasure hunt -- so kids are fabulous at finding/grapping tons, and others are not.

Hope your daughter has a fun party.

We typically have a piñata every year at our kids' parties (they are now 5 & 7, and we introduced the piñata at age 3). They are always a big "hit" (no pun intended), and thus far, no fist fights. That includes my daughter's FYOS party that had 32 kids (ages 3 - 8).

Just make sure the thing is stuff full of cheap candy/treats so that everyone gets something. Keep an extra little stash handy in case someone walks away empty handed.

It's really not much different from a treasure hunt -- so kids are fabulous at finding/grapping tons, and others are not.

Hope your daughter has a fun party.

[Frau Farbissina]

I had one for DS1 last year - made sure there was a lot of variety, and also had spare on hand in case there were any issues. We also went to one party where inside the pinata were little prewrapped packages with a thank you note attached. Everyone was told to take one. That was their little take home gift. It was a bunch of 3 -5 year olds and they all understood and it worked well.

This post has been edited by Frau Farbissina: 24/01/2013, 04:00 PM

[KnightsofNi]

I am also concerned that if there are 30 kids and the 10th kid to have a go breaks to open and the other 20 don't even get a turn.

[CharliMarley]

Does every child only get one whack at the pinata?

[Peppery]

DD attended a 5th birthday recently and the piñata broke open after the second whack. Not one child was upset, they all just ran to pick up the lollies.

[KnightsofNi]

I think we will go ahead with it. Thanks all. I will put in HEAPS of stuff I'm there and keep a few things aside for the slower kids.

[countrymel]

I am also concerned that if there are 30 kids and the 10th kid to have a go breaks to open and the other 20 don't even get a turn.

Well judging from the hysterical guffaws at my 40th I'd take a guess that 97% of the fun of a pinata is watching the blindfolded stick wielder!