The idea of the pinata game is simple. You fill you pinata with whatever you choose, suspend it with a rope from someplace secure and then, using a pinata buster, someone has to break it open. Typically, you blindfold each child, spin them around and give them two chances to whack the pinata. If they miss, or the pinata doesn't break open then it's the next child's turn. If they do break it, then it's a mad dash from everyone involved to grab what fell out! It's great fun for all involved.

If the idea of blindfolded kids slashing away with a stick sets alarm bells ringing then there is an alternative to pinata busting in the pull pinata. A pull pinata has brightly coloured strings hanging down, only one of which will cause the pinata to burst open. Each child gets a chance to pull one string instead of getting two hits with the pinata stick.