I couldn’t resist making one non-holiday piñata before Thanksgiving, and this idea has been percolating for a while. When I first learned about fairy bread—an Australian birthday treat where sprinkles are scattered over buttered bread—I was smitten. Moving to Australia felt a little extreme, so instead I made a fairy bread piñata. It’s playful, colorful, and surprisingly simple to create.
Supplies you’ll need:
Cardboard (I used two large sheets from an art supply store)
Ivory/cream and brown crepe streamers
Tiny pom poms in rainbow “sprinkle” colors
White school or craft glue
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Masking tape
Twine for hanging
Scissors
Step-by-step making instructions:
1. Cut two large bread-shaped pieces from the cardboard. From the remaining cardboard, cut several long strips about 5 inches wide to form the sides of the piñata.
2. Assemble the piñata by attaching the strips around the edge of one bread shape and taping them in place, then add the second bread shape on top. While taping, thread a length of twine through the top to create the hanging loop. Once the form is secure, cover the structure with fringe made from the ivory/cream and brown streamers to mimic bread and crust.
3. Add the pom-pom “sprinkles” using a hot glue gun. Pour the tiny pom poms into a bowl and mix them into a rainbow blend. Work in small sections: apply hot glue to a small area of the piñata, immediately press a handful of pom poms onto the glue, and hold briefly until set (take care to avoid burns). Continue across the surface, building rows of sprinkles. For a natural scattered effect, add a few stray pom poms trailing off the edge of the bread.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
(Outfit notes: shirt, skirt, shoes)
Have you tried fairy bread? We don’t have children yet, but I’m already planning to include this cheerful Australian tradition at future parties—piñata included. This project is simple enough for a DIY party craft and makes a vibrant, nostalgic centerpiece.
p.s. If you like novelty piñatas, consider making a donut piñata for another playful option.