If you're looking for a quick way to keep the kids busy this spring, making a cut out easter basket is honestly one of the best crafts you can pick. It's one of those rare activities that doesn't require a trip to a specialty craft store or a degree in engineering to pull off. Most of the time, you already have everything you need sitting in a kitchen drawer or a home office.
There's something really satisfying about taking a flat piece of paper or cardstock and turning it into a 3D object that can actually hold treats. Plus, let's be real—buying those bulky plastic baskets every year is a bit of a waste, and they take up so much room in the closet. A paper version is festive, customizable, and easy to recycle once the holiday is over.
Why a Paper Basket is the Way to Go
You might be thinking, "Will a paper basket actually hold anything?" The answer is yes, as long as you aren't trying to carry a dozen lead weights in there. For a few chocolate eggs, some jelly beans, and maybe a small toy, a cut out easter basket is surprisingly sturdy.
One of the biggest perks is the personalization. When you buy a basket from a big-box store, it looks like every other basket on the block. When you make one from a template, you get to choose the colors, the patterns, and the "flair." Whether your kid is into dinosaurs, space, or classic fluffy bunnies, you can make the basket match their vibe perfectly.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you start hacking away at some paper, you'll want to get your workspace ready. You don't need much, but having a few specific items will make the process a lot smoother and the end result much cleaner.
- Cardstock or heavy paper: Regular printer paper is a bit too flimsy. If you want it to hold its shape, go for cardstock.
- Safety scissors: If the kids are helping, make sure the scissors are age-appropriate.
- Glue sticks or double-sided tape: Tape is actually my favorite for this because there's no drying time.
- Markers, crayons, or stickers: This is for the "pre-folding" decoration phase.
- Ribbon or pipe cleaners: These make for great alternative handles if you don't want to use paper.
Choosing the Right Template
There are a few different ways to approach the actual "cut out" part. The most common method is the classic "cross" or "plus sign" layout. Basically, you have a square in the middle and four squares attached to each side. When you fold those sides up and tape the corners, you've got a box.
Another popular style is the circular base. This one is a bit more advanced but looks really cute. You cut a circle and then several long strips. You glue the strips to the bottom of the circle and bring them up to form the sides. It gives the basket a more rounded, traditional look.
The Basic Square Fold
If you're doing this with toddlers or younger kids, stick to the square fold. It's nearly impossible to mess up. You can even find a cut out easter basket template online to print directly onto your cardstock. This takes the guesswork out of measuring. Once it's printed, the kids just follow the solid lines for cutting and the dotted lines for folding.
The Bunny Ear Variation
If you want to get fancy, you can incorporate the handle into the cut-out design itself. Instead of just four straight sides, make two of the sides much longer and shape the ends like bunny ears. When you fold them up and staple the "ears" together at the top, you've created a handle and a theme all in one go. It's super cute and saves you the step of attaching a separate handle later.
Decorating Before You Fold
Here is a pro-tip that I learned the hard way: always decorate before you fold and glue. Once that basket is 3D, it's much harder to draw a straight line or stick a sticker on it without crushing the sides.
Lay the flat cut out easter basket on the table and let the kids go wild. This is the time for the glitter glue (if you're brave enough), the stamps, and the markers. If you're using patterned cardstock, maybe you just want to add a name tag or some small drawings. Once the masterpiece is finished and dry, then you move on to the construction phase.
Putting It All Together
Once the decorating is done, it's time to build. If you're using a standard template, you'll likely have some tabs on the sides. These tabs are your best friends. Apply a good amount of glue or a strip of tape to the tab, tuck it inside the adjacent wall, and press firmly.
If you find that the corners are a bit weak, you can reinforce them with a little extra tape on the inside. No one is going to see the inside once it's filled with green plastic grass and candy anyway, so don't worry about it looking perfect.
Attaching the Handle
If your design didn't include built-in ears, you'll need a handle. A simple strip of cardstock about an inch wide works perfectly. I like to staple the handle to the sides rather than gluing it. Staples are just more reliable when it comes to the weight of the candy. If you hate the look of the staple, you can always cover it up by gluing a small paper flower or a bow over the top of it.
Creative Fillers for Your Basket
Now that you have your finished cut out easter basket, you need to fill it. Since these are usually a bit smaller than the giant store-bought baskets, you have to be a little more curated with what you put inside.
- Homemade Treats: Instead of just bags of candy, maybe put in a couple of decorated sugar cookies wrapped in cellophane.
- Seed Packets: Spring is the perfect time for gardening. A few packets of sunflower or daisy seeds fit perfectly in a paper basket.
- Small Art Supplies: A new set of fancy markers or some fun-shaped erasers are always a hit.
- The Classic Eggs: Of course, you can't go wrong with a few plastic eggs filled with stickers or coins.
Making It a Tradition
What's cool about a DIY project like this is that it can become a yearly thing. You can look back at the baskets from previous years and see how the kids' art styles have changed. One year they might be into scribbling with every color in the box, and a few years later, they're carefully drawing intricate patterns.
It's also a great lesson in "making do" with what you have. In a world where everything is just a click away on Amazon, taking twenty minutes to sit down and actually build something with your hands feels special. It slows things down and makes the holiday feel a bit more intentional.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes things don't go perfectly, and that's okay. If the paper rips, just tape it. If the basket feels too flimsy, you can glue a second piece of cardboard (like from a cereal box) to the bottom for extra support. If the glue isn't sticking, try a different brand or switch to a stapler.
The goal isn't to create a perfect piece of art that belongs in a museum. The goal is to have a functional, fun cut out easter basket that was made with a little bit of love and a lot of imagination.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of the day, Easter is about having fun and spending time together. Whether your basket is a perfectly symmetrical masterpiece or a slightly lopsided labor of love, the kids are going to love it because they made it themselves. So, grab some paper, find some scissors, and start cutting. You might be surprised at how much fun you have joining in on the craft yourself!