How to make a soccer ball

For the last six or so years I have helped my granddaughter make her birthday pinata. Last year, because I couldn't get up there early enough to work on it, I made her a soccer ball here at home without her help. It wasn't quite round - but it was close enough. This year when I asked her what she wanted - she said soccer ball again.

Another soccer ball would not have been my first choice. They are a bit complicated to make but not that creative. After all how hard can it be to make a round pinata with only 2 colours?. The answer is - surprisingly hard. The first problem is that round balloons ( used to provide the shape) are not really round. They are more like fat pears. So you need two "round" balloons each covered with paper mache about two thirds of the surface. I find  a couple of coats are needed. DO NOT [PUT THE BALLOONS OUT IN THE SUN TO DRY. Why you ask - 'cause the sun warms up the air inside the balloon, the balloon expands and tears the paper. Then you have to start over. Don't bother to ask me how I know.....

Once the paper mache is dry, cut the balloon and let the air out. If you are lucky, the balloon will separate from the sides and you can pull the rubber out and throw it away. You then have to make the two ends fit together- hopefully with a bit of careful cutting and trimming - they form an almost round shape.

Using masking tape and paper mache seal the seams. White paper towel makes a nice texture on the completed ball. I usually cover the completed ball with white tissue paper.

Now comes the fun part. Traditional soccer balls are made up of hexagons and pentagons. (look up on the Internet how to draw a pentagon - it is not that hard) You must make sure that the side on the pentagon is the same length as a side on the hexagon. How do you know it is the right size you ask. Great question. My answer is that I don't know. I just used trial and error until it looked right.

Use red (or any other colour) tissue paper for the pentagon, draw with a water proof marker the hexagon shapes and you are done.

Sounds pretty easy to me. Here is a picture.

Another hint - be careful of how many layers one applies. I think there is a fine line between making it rigid enough so that it keeps its shape and not making too thick. I may of this year used too many layers. Thinking about bringing up gas for the chain saw.