I vividly remember being dropped off in Wisconsin for a week of summer camp, right after 3rd grade. It was exciting, and terrifying all at the same time! This is the first summer that my daughter will be gone for more than a few days, as she heads off to Tennessee for a week. At thirteen, I’m pretty sure I’m going to miss her waaaaay more than she’ll miss me!

To make it easier on “us”, I whipped up a little surprise piñata to throw in her luggage. I plan to fill it with photos from home, some cash for extra snacks, a little candy, and an embarrassing mushy note about how much I’ll miss her. I thought this would be a really fun way to present a care package from home. Change “summer camp” to a University logo, and send these to your favorite college kids in the fall!

• Cardboard (cereal boxes are perfect!)
• Cardstock (and cutting machine) OR alphabet stickers, stencils, etc.
• Pencil
• Double-sided tape
• Masking tape
• Glue
• Ruler
• Streamers
• Scissors
• Fringe scissors (optional)
• Box cutter

Step 1
Cut out a triangular pennant shape to use as a tracer (5 1/8” straight side, and two 11” angled sides), then trace it onto cardboard twice, and cut out the two triangles.

Step 2
Cut out three 1 3/8” x 11” strips of cardboard. Line up the end of one strip with the point of one triangle, and use masking tape to connect the two pieces. Cut off the end of the strip if there is any excess after you have taped the pieces together. Repeat this step with a second strip on the opposite side of the triangle.

Step 3
Cut your third strip down to 5 1/8”, and cut that piece in half. Fold a one inch piece out on one half of the strip, then line the two pieces up on the opposite side of the triangle. Tape the two strips to the triangle, leaving the one inch flap un-taped.

Step 4
Fold the three taped strips up, so that the corners meet, and tape the three corners together.

Step 5
If the items you plan to place in the piñata will not fit through a one inch hole, place them inside at this point, and lay the second triangle on top of the strips that are attached to the first. Tape all sides to the strips, leaving the one inch flap un-taped once again.

Step 6
Cut off many 11” pieces of streamers, and fold each piece in half. Use fringe scissors to cut fringe into the open side of the folded streamers, leaving a tiny bit at the bottom to keep the two halves attached.

Step 7
Cover the sides of the piñata in double-sided tape, and starting at the bottom, layer pieces of fringe all the way around. Cover the open flap in fringe as well, but leave it opened. Cut each strip of fringe down to fit the sides, and once you are done, trim any excess down around the edges using scissors.

Step 8
Cover the top of the piñata in double-sided tape, and layer pieces of fringe from bottom to top. Cut any excess off the edges, and repeat this step on the bottom of the piñata.

Step 9
Glue a 5 ½” x 9/16” strip of cardstock to the left side of the pennant, and cut the ends off to match the angles of the triangle.

Step 10
Use a cutting machine, alphabet stencils, or alphabet stickers to write “Summer Camp” on the front of the piñata. We used a cutting machine, and glue to attach the letters.

Step 11
Cut two 8 ½” x 9/16” strips of cardstock, and fold them in half at an angle, so they form a “v”. Cut two ¾”-1” slits on the left side of the pennant (one above the opening, and one below), and slip the fold of the “v” into the slits, until they stay in place.

Fill the piñata with treats and mementos from home, and send it off with your happy camper! Bon voyage, campers! :)