Creating A Piñata Wedding Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

A wedding cake piñata is a fun and colourful addition to your special day. It's a great way to uphold the wedding cake tradition without the cost of an expensive cake. You can make your own using cardboard, crepe paper, a glue gun, and a strong rope or zip tie. First, cut out four circles of different sizes from cardboard. Stack and trace the circles to create holes in the middle of the medium and large circles, leaving a 1/2-inch space from the traced line. Cut cardboard panels from the box flaps to create the walls of the cake, curving and taping them to the large circle without a hole. Repeat this process for each tier, taping the layers together. Add fringe by cutting and gluing strips of crepe paper, layer by layer, until you reach the top tier. Fill the piñata with candy and party favours, and close the top tier with a small circle of cardboard, adding a rope or zip tie to hang the piñata. Finish with crepe paper flowers.

Creating the base structure

Gather Your Materials

First, you will need to gather the necessary materials. For the base structure, you will require a cardboard box, a pencil, and some cutting tools. It is recommended to use a strong and sturdy box to ensure the piñata can withstand some enthusiastic hitting!

Cut the Cardboard Circles

Using your cutting tools, carefully cut out four circles from the cardboard box. You will need one small, one medium, and two large circles, all of the same size within their respective groups. You can use bowls of different sizes to trace the circles and ensure they graduate in size from small to large.

Stack and Trace the Circles

Now, take your stack of cardboard circles and place the small, medium, and one large circle on top of each other. Using your pencil, carefully trace the outline of the small circle onto the medium circle, and then trace the medium circle onto the large circle. This will create a gradual decrease in size for the tiers of your wedding cake piñata.

Cut Out the Centre Holes

Cut out a round hole in the centre of the medium and large cardboard circles. Make sure to leave at least a 1/2-inch border of cardboard around the traced line. These holes will allow you to fill the piñata with candy and other treats, so they should be large enough to accommodate your chosen fillings.

Prepare the Wall Panels

Cut the flaps off your cardboard box and use the centre panels as the walls of your cake tiers. If the box is too tall, you can trim the panels to the desired height. Curve the panels into a circle and tape the bottom edge to the large circle without a hole, forming the base of your bottom tier.

Assemble the Tiers

Tape the large circle with the hole to the top of the bottom tier, creating a closed structure. Repeat this process with the medium circle to create the second tier. Use plenty of tape to secure the tiers together and ensure the structure is sturdy.

Create the Top Tier

For the top tier, bend a smaller panel into a small, wide tube shape and tape the seam shut. Again, use tape to securely attach the top tier to the middle tier, leaving the top open for filling with treats!

Finalise the Base Structure

At this point, you should have a three-tiered base structure for your wedding cake piñata. Ensure all the tiers are securely attached and that the holes for filling treats are easily accessible. Now, you are ready to move on to the next step of creating your piñata – covering the base structure with colourful crepe paper!

Adding the walls

Now that you have your base layers, it's time to add the walls of your piñata wedding cake. This will involve some careful measuring, cutting, and taping. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Cut the cardboard box flaps

Using a sharp knife or scissors, carefully cut the flaps off your cardboard box. These will form the walls of your cake, so make sure you have enough panels to go around each layer. If your box doesn't have enough flaps, you can cut additional panels from the remaining cardboard.

Step 2: Measure and cut the wall height

The height of the walls will determine the overall height of your piñata cake. A good height to aim for is around 10 inches. Measure and mark this height on each of the cardboard panels. Then, use a straight edge and a sharp knife to cut the panels to the desired height.

Step 3: Curve the panels and tape the seams

To create a circular cake shape, you'll need to curve the cardboard panels. Gently bend and curve each panel, taping the bottom edge to the large cardboard circle as you go. Once you've formed a complete circle, secure the seam by overlapping the two ends of the panel and taping them together. Make sure the tape is secure and that there are no gaps between the panels.

Step 4: Attach the walls to the base layers

Now, it's time to attach the walls to the base layers you prepared earlier. Place a strong tape along the bottom edge of each wall, and secure it to the base layer. Make sure the walls are centred on the base and that they are attached securely.

Step 5: Reinforce the structure

To ensure your piñata cake is sturdy and can withstand some enthusiastic hitting, reinforce the structure with additional tape. Go over the seams between the walls and base layers, both inside and outside the structure. You can also add some tape along the top edge of the walls for extra support.

Step 6: Create the top of the cake

For the top of each layer, you'll need to cut a cardboard circle that fits snugly inside the walls. Measure the diameter of the inside of the walls and cut a cardboard circle to match. Then, tape this circle securely to the top edges of the walls.

Repeat these steps for each layer of your piñata wedding cake, making sure to adjust the measurements as needed for smaller or larger tiers. Once the walls are in place, you'll be one step closer to having a beautiful and functional piñata cake!

Decorating the exterior

The exterior of your wedding cake piñata should be fun and colourful. You can use coloured crepe paper, a glue gun, and glue sticks to create a festive look. Cut fringe strips from the crepe paper and glue them layer by layer onto the piñata, starting from the bottom. This process can be time-consuming, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time. You may need to cut the strips into shorter pieces to navigate the edges and corners. You can also add some crepe paper flowers for a romantic touch. To make the flowers, cut 6" squares from your crepe paper, layer five squares on top of each other, and fold them accordion-style. Staple the centre a few times, then round the edges of the accordion strips to create petals. Gently peel back each layer to form a flower. Finally, glue the flowers onto your cake.

If you want to add some extra flair, consider using glitter, confetti, or other decorations. You can also find wedding-themed piñata kits online that include everything you need to create a beautiful and elegant wedding cake piñata. These kits often come with flowers, ribbons, and other decorative elements.

Another idea is to use white serviettes or napkins instead of crepe paper for a more elegant and understated look. You can also customise your piñata with the bride and groom's names, wedding date, or other special details.

Filling the pinata

Filling the piñata is one of the most important steps in making a wedding cake piñata. This is where you get to decide what treats and surprises your guests will enjoy. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling your piñata:

Step 1: Prepare the Piñata

Before you start filling your piñata, you need to prepare it by cutting a hole in the top. This is where you will insert the candy and party favours. The hole should be big enough to fit your hand into, so you can easily fill the piñata. Cut the hole using a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Once the hole is cut, make sure to smooth any rough edges with sandpaper to prevent any injuries.

Step 2: Choose Your Fillers

The fun part about filling a piñata is deciding what treats and surprises to include. For a wedding cake piñata, you can fill it with a variety of candies, such as lollipops, chocolates, and gummy bears. You can also include small toys, such as party blowers, bubbles, and small novelty items. If you want to make it more personal, you can add customised treats with the couple's names or wedding date on them.

Step 3: Fill the Piñata

Now it's time to start filling your piñata! Start by inserting a variety of candies and treats into the hole you cut in the top. You can also add some small toys or favours, such as confetti poppers, glow sticks, or even small gifts like keychains or bottle openers. Make sure to fill the piñata generously, so there are enough treats for all your guests. Once you're happy with the amount of filler, close the hole by taping a piece of cardboard over it or gluing a piece of crepe paper to cover it.

Step 4: Seal the Piñata

After filling the piñata, it's important to seal it securely. Use strong tape or glue to close the hole and ensure that it won't easily open when hit. You can also add some extra decorations around the sealed area to hide any visible tape or glue. Some people like to add a layer of crepe paper or tissue paper over the sealed area to give it a neat finish.

Step 5: Test the Piñata

Once your piñata is filled and sealed, it's a good idea to test it to ensure it's secure and ready for the wedding. Hang the piñata up and give it a few gentle hits to see if it can withstand some impact. If it feels secure, you're ready to go! If not, you may need to reinforce the structure or add more filler to make it sturdier.

Remember, the key to a successful wedding cake piñata is to be creative and generous with your fillers. Your guests will love the surprise treats and the excitement of breaking open the piñata!

Hanging and playing the game

Once you've made your piñata wedding cake, it's time to hang it up and play the game! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Find a suitable hanging spot: Look for a sturdy tree branch, a basketball hoop, or ask two adults to hold the rope from both ends. Ensure the spot provides enough space for the game.
• Fill the piñata: Before your guests arrive, fill the piñata with the goodies and treats you've prepared. This could include candy, glow sticks, sunglasses, confetti poppers, stick-on moustaches, bubbles, and other small gifts.
• Hang the piñata: Use a strong rope or zip tie to securely hang the piñata from the designated spot. Make sure the hanging mechanism can bear the weight of the piñata and that it is firmly attached.
• Organise the players: Line up the children, starting with the smallest and ending with the tallest. If there are adults who want to play, you can organise them separately or mix them in with the kids.
• Blindfold the players: Start with the smallest child. Blindfold them, spin them around a few times, and then provide them with a buster stick (a stick used to hit the piñata).
• Direct the player: Guide the blindfolded player towards the piñata. While they are hitting it, ensure that other children are kept at a safe distance, at least 15 feet away.
• Take turns: Allow each child to hit the piñata a few times before moving on to the next player. To make the game more fun, swing the piñata up and down, and deliberately misdirect the hitter by telling them it's higher or lower than it actually is.
• Break the piñata: Once the piñata breaks open, remove the buster stick from the hitter before allowing other children to rush in and grab the goodies.

A few additional tips:

• Ensure adult supervision at all times during the game.
• If you're hanging the piñata from a tree branch, make sure it's a strong branch that can bear the weight.
• For an outdoor wedding, consider the weather conditions and wind speed when choosing a hanging spot.
• If you want to include adults in the game, you can organise separate rounds for adults and children, or mix them together for added fun!

Frequently asked questions