How To Make a Balloon Easter Egg Basket

It's easy to make your own Easter basket.

Instead of purchasing a generic Easter basket, make one with materials you probably already have around the house. With a balloon, some glue and string, paper or fabric scraps, you can create an Easter basket in an afternoon. This is a fun project to do with children, who can design their own basket. Your imagination is your only limit, so have fun experimenting.

Things You'll Need

• Balloon
• White glue
• Fabric stiffener or wood glue
• Crochet string, paper torn into 1-inch-wide strips, ribbon or 1-inch-wide scraps of fabric

Instructions

1. This is a messy project, so protect your work area with layers of newspaper and plastic. A cut-open garbage bag or old shower curtain also provide good protection. Wear old clothes and don't worry--the glue washes off with soap and water.

2. 

   Blow up the balloon. The balloon provides a mold upon which you'll build your basket.
   The size of your balloon determines the size of the basket you'll make. Make a big basket with a large balloon, or make tiny baskets to use as party favors with small balloons.

3. Mix white glue with fabric stiffener or wood glue in a bowl. Use two parts white glue to one part stiffener or wood glue. Fabric stiffener can be purchased at a craft store. If the glue is too thick, add a teaspoon or two of water. Glue should be thin enough to soak the basket material, but not so thin it drips off.

4. 

   Dump your string, paper strips, ribbon or fabric pieces into the bowl of glue. Mix well to make sure everything is coated with glue. Pull the string or a strip of paper or fabric from the bowl, pulling it through your fingers to wipe off excess glue. Now begin winding the string or layering the fabric or paper around the bottom half of the balloon. Don't cover too much of the balloon--you want it to be light and airy. But be sure you use enough material to maintain a basket shape after you pop the balloon.

5. To make a handle, lay the string over the top of the balloon and bring it down the other side. You may want to go over it several times with the mixture to make a stronger handle. Do the same with fabric or paper.

6. Allow the basket to dry thoroughly--at least 24 hours. Once the glue is dry, pop the balloon and carefully extract it from your basket.

7. Decorate your basket with ribbons, sequins, feathers, glitter or buttons. Paint it or draw on it with colored markers. Fill it with Easter grass, shredded paper or cut-up yarn. And of course, don't forget the Easter eggs and candy.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a friend hold the end of the string on the balloon until you've wrapped the string several times to keep it in place.

• Tie a string around the knotted end of the balloon and suspend it from the ceiling with a tack, or tie it to a light fixture to make it easier to cover the bottom of the balloon and to allow plenty of air circulation for drying.

• If you can't hang the balloon by a string, let it dry balanced on a clean, empty tuna fish can.

References

• String Easter Basket
• Papier Mache Easter Basket
• Thrifty Fun

Resources

• Crafts for Easter; Kathy Ross, 1996