Hot dog — that’s a big hot dog! Did you know this year’s Opening Day was the earliest in all of league history? In celebration of America’s favorite past-time, we made a massive all-American hot dog pinata. Read on to see how to make it!

We added a long yellow balloon for mustard, but you can totally top off your own with a mix of ketchup (red long balloon!), onions, and relish (cut up white and green crepe paper!). It’d be such a cute addition for a little leaguer’s birthday party! You can even fill the pinata with hot dog gummies! Serve up snacks on this DIY hot dog cart to complete the theme.

Materials Needed: 660Q balloons, low temp hot glue gun, Canson cardstock, packing tape, newspaper, flour, water, spray paint (in white), fishing wire, ruler, x-acto knife, tissue paper (in honeysuckle and french vanilla), 260Q balloon (in yellow), balloon hand pump

Step 1: Inflate a 660Q to 36” and let out a bit of air to release some tension. Curve the balloon so it takes on a sausage shape. Then, inflate three 660Q balloons to 26” in length. These three balloons will make up the bun.

Step 2: Hot glue the bottom of the sausage to the top of one the three balloons. Then hot glue the remaining balloons to the sides of the sausage. There will be a gap between each of the three balloons.

Step 3: Bridge the gaps between the three balloons with a piece of Canson cardstock and tape to the balloons to secure. Stuff the openings with newspaper and tape down until the gaps between the ends of the three balloons are filled.

Step 4: Paper mache the base. We used a 1:1 mixture of flour and warm water. Paper mache at least four layers, allowing 24 hours of drying time between each layer. You should be able to ‘knock’ on the shape.

Step 5: Spray paint the base white and let dry. Then carefully deflate the balloons.

Step 6: Cut a square door into the sausage portion of the pinata with an x-acto knife. This is where you’ll fill the pinata with treats.

Step 7: Cut two long pieces of fishing wire and tie one to each end of the sausage portion of the pinata. Gather the strands at the top of the pinata and make a loop for hanging.

Step 8: Cut a bunch of fringe out of tissue paper with a ruler and x-acto knife. Our fringe was roughly 2” tall and 1 cm wide. Hot glue fringe to the pinata, starting from the bottom of the hot dog bun and working your way up on both sides.

Step 9: For mustard, inflate a 260Q balloon and let out a bit of air to release some tension. Then, hot glue the balloon to the top of the hot dog in a wavy shape.

Step 10: Fill the pinata with treats, then hang. You’re all set!

Crafting by Justine Pon
Photography & Styling by Naomi Julia Satake

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