For our back to school party I decided to make a school bus piñata! I didn't take any photos of the process so I'll add in some references that have photos.
I found a large box (I think it was a ginger beer box).
I cut the top two corners along as far as I wanted the hood to be. I then cut down from where I finished cutting and across and along the front. I folded the top flap so it touched the front of the box. This flap is where I was going fill the piñata with toys and lollies.
Alternatively you could use two boxes as they do here:
http://wbfamily.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/school-bus-pinata-step-1-of.html
To make the handle I used a giant sowing needle to poke two holes about 6 inches apart in the top of the bus. I threaded some thick string through both holes about four times and then tied it at the bottom.
Next i covered the box in yellow paper.
I got some crepe paper and before unfolding it I cut it into 2 inch strips. You could also use streamers as they are already cut up into 2 inch strips but I already had the crepe paper so I used that.
I then fringe cut about 3/4 of the way up the strips.
Preferably you should fill the piñata now with toys and lollies (I put the fringe on first and then had to redo sections of it to cover up the sticky tape). I bought a pack of little toys like yoyo's, parachute men, bubbles etc from Kmart for $12. I then bought lots of packets of individually packaged lollies from Kmart for $1 each. I also had some pencils and bead necklaces left over that I put in.
Once the piñata fillers are in the piñata cover the edges with tape. Make sure it is strongly secured so things don't start falling out too early.
Starting at the bottom I glued the strip around the bus, cutting it once you got back to where you started. Continue doing so until you get to the top. For the top of the bus I started at the back and worked forward.
Once the whole piñata was covered in fringe cut crepe paper it is time for the decorations.
I cut a black square and drew it a 1/2cm border around the whole square. Inside the border I ruled (using a pencil) 1/2cm lines then cut out every second one starting from directly below the border. Then I stuck it on the front to be the grill.
I drew a square for the windows and traced it 9 times (so you have a total of ten). I cut them out and rounded the edges and stuck the windows on, four on each side and two on the front.
I traced around a medium sized circle on black paper times four for the wheels and cut them out. I then traced and cut four smaller circles on white paper and stuck them on top. I then stuck the wheels on the bus.
My bus then looked a little bare so I decided to glue a long strip of black paper all the way around the bus.
Lastly I added small white circles for the headlights and red ones for, well I'm not really sure what they are for.
Feel free to add brake lights all the back or anything else you want.
These are the images I based mine on (though I like mine better)
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http://www.talkingpinatas.com/KD222.htm
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82916092/pinata-yellow-school-bus
For more inspiration on making you own piñata go to:
http://pinataboy.com
