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Piñata is a traditional Mexican game in which stick-wielding children try to break a bright candy-and-toy-filled container or piñata (generally suspended on a rope from a tree branch or ceiling).

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It has been used for hundreds of years to celebrate special occasions such as Birthdays and Christmas.   Piñata has come to mean the container itself.  Piñatas are made from easily-breakable materials like papier-mâché or clay. 

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Traditionally they were made in the shape of  a star, human or animal figures but, in recent times, vehicles, cartoon characters, heroes,or corporate mascots have gained in popularity.

Piñatas are included in practically all Mexican celebrations, like Christmas Party (Posadas), 5 de Mayo (The Day of a Mexican Battle ), and Los Cumpleaños (Birthdays Party). During the merrymaking of the fiestas, the children look forward to the breaking of the piñata and the scramble to gather candy, fruit, goods, and small gifts.