A pull string piñata works well for younger children, enclosed spaces, and for piñatas that your child might not feel comfortable hitting such as a familiar licensed character. Instead of hitting the piñata, the piñata has strings which are attached to a hidden door which opens the piñata and releases the candy. Most piñatas can be converted to pull-string style using the following instructions:

Place piñata with bottom facing up. Note: Some oddly-shaped piñatas may require that you be creative in deciding where the pull flap should be. On the bottom, use an exacto or utility knife to make a 3-sided trap door with approximately 3 to 4 inch sides.

Use the point of the blade to make small slits through the cardboard on the flap. Make a slit for each ribbon that you plan to use (at least one for each guest). Thread a ribbon through each slit. Ribbon length should vary according to the height at which you plan to hang your piñata.

You may either knot all of the ribbons so that the children may pull the strings to open the piñata together or You may knot one or two ribbons (inside the flap) and leave the rest loose. This allows the children to select a ribbon, hoping to find the one that opens the flap.

Fill you piñata with candy and/or small prizes. Close the flap and lightly seal with a small piece of Scotch tape, using enough to hold the flap shut but not so much as to prevent the door from opening when the ribbon(s) is pulled.