Piñata Safety Tips

A blindfolded child swinging a stick surrounded by kids ready to run in at a moment’s notice can be a recipe for a bad time. Don’t let your party become a literal headache by following some safety steps.

Tip #1: Use the right stick for the job

One might feel tempted to give their guests a baseball bat or a broom handle to swing at the piñata, but their length and weight can create enough momentum and force that real damage can happen if they connect with anything other than the piñata. Especially if the child loses their grip and accidentally throws the stick. To lower your chances of an accident, consider a safer option.

• Piñata Stick: These specially designed sticks are specifically for use with piñatas. They are typically short and lightweight, reducing impact force. Newer ones are sometimes made from hollow plastic and can include foam padding to make them safer.
  
• Wiffle Ball Bat: These lightweight, thin plastic bats can greatly reduce the impact force of an errant swing. Designed to be a safer option for children to swing, they can be a great choice. Though if your piñata is too sturdy, this may not be an effective option.

Tip #2: Make sure you have a clear space.

Be sure to have a clear radius around your piñata. A good rule of thumb is a 15-foot radius for safety. Make sure there is no furniture, walls, or overhead obstacles. This prevents any potential damage done by the piñata, filler, or the swinger, as well as preventing any tripping of your guests.

Tip #3: Make sure your piñata is securely attached.

While the stick is the most obvious culprit of an accident, the piñata itself can cause harm. For example, if someone hits the piñata hard and the rope comes loose, the piñata can go flying at one of your guests.

To ensure safety, consider the following aspects:

• Ensure you have a strong enough rope.
• If you’re using a hook for the rope, make sure it is a closed-loop hook.
• Make sure your anchor point is sturdy. Use a sturdy beam or thick tree branch.
• Use a bowline knot or a double knot.

Tip #4: Make sure your fillers are safe.

Typically, small candies or small plastic toys work well. Consider staying away from anything heavy or anything that could break on impact and fly toward guests.

Tip #5: Set the rules

1. Distance: Make sure your guests keep a far enough distance from the piñata while someone is swinging the stick.
   • A good radius depends on factors such as rope length, stick length, etc. Though a good rule of thumb may be 15 feet or more.
   • Consider using a rope, ribbon, or masking tape to set the boundaries so that your guests won’t slowly creep closer.
   • Have an adult keep an eye on your guests creeping up and call them out.
     
2. Designated Hitter:
   • Only one person in the circle at a time.
   • No one enters the circle until the previous swinger hands the stick to an adult and leaves the circle.
   • Have an adult call in the next swinger so there is no question who is next.
   • Bonus Tip: You may want to start with the younger guests, so the piñata won’t be over with too quickly.
     
3. Swinging the Stick:
   • Limit the number of swings to 3 or so to prevent the swinger from wandering too far and swinging too wildly.
   • For little kids, consider not using a blindfold. Typically, the younger the child, the higher the chance they won’t listen while swinging. This is a recipe for a wandering child swinging their stick toward the guests.
     • Note: If you don’t use a blindfold, consider purchasing a pair of child-size safety goggles to prevent any filler or debris from getting into the child’s eyes.
       
4. The Candy Rush:
   • When candy stops dropping, children turn into little sharks and can immediately rush in and get hurt.
   • Set the rule early that no one is to enter the circle until an adult yells “Go!”.
   • It is safest to wait until the swinger is done and hands the stick to an adult, and the piñata has come to a stop before signaling the guests to rush in.
   • An adult may want to scoop up the candy and throw it around the circle before signaling, so everyone doesn’t rush to the same spot and accidentally bump into each other.

Alternative Piñata:

If the thought of a kid swinging a stick around causes you anxiety or if your group is too young, consider getting a pull-string piñata. This option creates a game of chance where guests pull one of many strings to see which one opens the piñata. All the fun without the danger.

Conclusion:

By following these tips, we hope your party is a safe and fun one that everyone gets to enjoy. Let us know if you have any other tips or ideas we missed.