We love Papier Mache Projects and Easter Crafts are just a great an opportunity to get your homemade papier mache paste out as any other time of the year.
Today we recycle old tissue paper – salvaged from gift wrap or shop wrapping paper – and turn it into a super fun and easy Hen Easter Basket. There are some Bunny Easter Basket versions too.
Note: These hen easter baskets was first published in March 2013 and has been updated and republished for your convenience!
Though we used tissue paper to make these Easter Baskets, you can of course make these out Newspaper too! We love Easter Crafts with Newspaper… and all you need to do is allow for the additional step of painting your baskets in your making process!
Easter Baskets Materials:
- Papier Mache paste (we made our own, see below),
- tissue paper in the required colours (ALL our tissue paper is recycled),
- balloon, brush,
- felt pieces (craft foam would be great too),
- feathers (optional, you could use felt too),
- wider ribbon for “handle”
Use our easy peasy guide to how to make paper mache from flour – inexpensive, environmentally friendly and quick!
Note: making papier mache from flour means that it has yellow/ cream colour – which means that if you use white tissue paper for your craft like us, you will not get a “brilliant white” finish. If you do want a white white finish – use store bought paste or mix some PVA glue with a little water and use that instead. We however didn’t mind the colour and love the naturalness of homemade papier mache paste!
Easter Baskets How To:
And here is how to make your own Hen Basket step by step instructions!
1) To help us get a neat ish edge on our Easter Baskets, I drew on a line of where to papier mache – note the little bump at the front for the face! The pen DID come off onto the finished basket, which we the trimmed off. So do bear that in mind when drawing it on.
2) We decided to use paint brushes for this session, as my kids have decided they don’t like the feel or papier mache paste. So I guess… we are doing “decoupage” but with papier mache! Same principle – use your brush to apply the glue, add a layer of tissue and then add more glue on top – soaking the tissue through. Pip Squeak (3yrs), helped me make a white baskets for a hen and a pink basket for a bunny. Red Ted (5yrs) then got interested and did a blue bunny… I would have loved to “only” do the hens, as those are the ones that (!) really liked, but the this was about what the kids wanted to do!!
3) Apply a good 4-5 layers if not more – tissue paper after all is thinner that newspaper and will need to be stronger. Take special care to have a thick layer around the edge – as this gives your basket structure later on.
4) Let dry on a plate – prop up if necessary.
5) Once dry, carefully pop your balloon – peel off all the bits and trim your baskets.
6) Then get your embellishments – we used felt and feathers and some pompoms. I cut all the bits out the kids glued them on. This is a time when “cheap acrylic” felt is better, as it is quite stiff and will “stand up”. Better quality felt is quite floppy. If you have floppy felt, just stick a layer of card behind it first. Or use some craft foam instead. Add feathers for wings – or cut wings from felt. The bunnies got pom pom feet and cotton wool tails.
7) Finally, make some small holes, thread threw some bright ribbon for a handle and you are all set to go Easter egg hunting!!
Or watch our Easter Basket Video Tutorial here:
We have a how to video for you hear (demonstrating how to make a simple CHICK Easter Basket vs Hen Basket!) and of course you have the step by step images below!
Need more EASTER BASKET CRAFTS IDEAS? We have 8+ ideas for you here to browse and be inspired by!:
More from Red Ted Art – 20+ Bunny Crafts
and 20+ Chick Crafts
Emma @Mummymummymum says
I love these Maggy, very very cute!
Claire says
So lovely and colourful. What child wouldn’t LOVE these over Easter?
Ness @ One Perfect Day says
These are so cute! I am ashamed to admit that R used an old shopping bag for our egg hunt last year. (And I call myself a crafter!) You’ve inspired me to get something better sorted this year.
Red Ted Art says
Awe! So pleased to have inspired!!! I wonder what you will make 🙂 (and nothing wrong with a shopping bag.. needs must and all that!)
Bonnie @ Let's Play Music says
These are so cute! Love the bunny one!
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) says
So sweet and original. Love them! 🙂
Lisa @ Lisas Creative Designs says
Oh these are so cute! It reminds me of the papermache baskets I made in school many years ago when I was a kid. I can still remember having fun making them all these years later. 🙂
Carrie says
These are so cute!! If we have time we will try to make them!!
Mum of One says
They look fantastic! Not sure I am brave enough for paper maiche yet though!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Thank you for hosting!
PragmaticMom says
Wow, those papier mache baskets turned out amazing! You could totally sell those!
Rebecca says
Oh they are adorable. Molly isn’t very keen on paper mache but maybe if I showed her these….
Red Ted Art says
Hi Rebecca – mine are the same because of the “mess” – I found they liked using the paint brush as an alternative?!
amber whitehead says
These baskets are so cute.
Rachel says
I just adore these baskets Maggy! They are to cute! Thanks for sharing at For the Kids Friday! I’m featuring them in this weeks party! I love having you joining us each week! xoxo
Red Ted Art says
Ooh how lovely! Thank you, I do appreciate being featured!! Always fabulous!
Genny Upton says
Thanks for linking up to Tuesday Tots! I am featuring your post this week on In Lieu of Preschool: http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/easter-activities-for-kids/ Please feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Off to pin!
Pysselbolaget says
Lovely! We have to try this! I’ve always used wall paper glue for papier mache but we’ll give your recipe a try!
Jean says
Love the idea but, why not cover the whole balloon and get two out of one when you cut on the middle line?
Red Ted Art says
Yes, good idea – I guess you just end up with a slightly different shape. Ours are round bowl shape. And doing it your way, would give you an oval. But why not!
Amanda says
These are so cute Maggie! I will feature them on Fun Family Crafts 🙂
Red Ted Art says
Awe thank you Amanda! And really, I need to get into the habit of submitting again! So sorry I haven’t done so for a while!
Hazel says
Made the paper mache baskets – a triumph. Paper mache-ing is so much fun. We needed to add newspaper layers as tissue paper just didn’t seem thick enough. They are brilliant though not sure who is more impressed me or the kids! Also made some stone people today – my first craft from your book – well we made animals actually but same effect!
@zingzingtree says
Just love these. Can’t beat a good bit of papier mache
Cindy deRosier says
I’m the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your Easter project! You can see it here:
http://funfamilycrafts.com/hen-bunny-easter-baskets/
IThanks for another great project idea!
Red Ted Art says
Ooh thank you so much!
Crystal @HelloCreativeFamily says
This project has to be the cutest thing ever! How special would it be to make these with your kiddos and then pull it out each Easter?
I shared this project in a roundup I did of 27 Family Friendly Easter Projects on Hello Creative Family. I’d love for you to take a peek and share if you think your fans would like it. 🙂
http://hellocreativefamily.com/27-family-friendly-spring-and-easter-craft-ideas/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
Patti Myer says
Oh I can’t wait to make these with my granddaughter!!! Absolutely adorable!!! I’m so happy I found Redtedart!??????
Red Ted Art says
Awww welcome!
Clare Nicholas says
Maggy, these are just adorable. Emmy had a paper mache chick for her Easter craft at school and won, I hadn’t considered making baskets too. Genius
Red Ted Art says
Oh so very happy to hear that!!! Thank you 🙂