1. Begin with the larger of the two balloons for the monkey's body.
2. Drag a long strip of paper through the papier-mâché paste.
3. Wipe off excess with finger.
4. Place the strip on the balloon at an angle.
5. Repeat steps 1 to 3, placing the next strip so that it slightly overlaps the first one.
6. Repeat this process until the balloon is entirely covered except for a 3-inch section at the top and a small hole in the back for the tail.
7. Apply a second layer of papier-mâché at angle opposite to the one used previously.
8. Place strips in a different direction for every layer, but allow the surface to dry between layers.
9. When the layers have dried, puncture the balloon and pull it out.
10. Construct a tail with a clothes hanger surrounded by an empty paper towel roll. The hanger will help the tail hold its form.
11. Cover with papier-mâché as directed above.
12. Secure dry tail to the base with masking tape.
13. Cover with one final coat of papier-mâché to conceal the tape.
14. Use the smaller balloon for the monkey's head, and apply paper strips in the same manner described for the base of the monkey.
15. Leave an open space of about 1 1/2 inches at the top.
16. When the layers have dried, puncture and remove the balloon.
17. Place wrapped candy in the base of the monkey.
18. Cover the opening of the smaller "head" section with short strips of papier-mâché.
19. Place the head on the base with the short strips of paper facing down.
20. Tape the two pieces together using masking tape.
21. Apply long strips of papier-mâché to secure both pieces to one another, pressing the strips neatly and securely into the space between the two sections.
22. When papier-mâché has dried, paint the base of the monkey brown.
23. Paint its head brown except for a small circular portion that will comprise the face. Paint the face a tan or cream color.
24. Draw on eyes, nose and mouth with markers or paint.
25. Cut hands, feet and ears out of cardboard, paint the pieces and paste them to the monkey.
26. Securely attach a loop of thin wire to the top of the monkey's head. The piñata will be hung by the wire loop.
Use about five or six layers of papier-mâché for the piñata.
Use more than six layers to make the piñata more difficult to break.
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