Key Takeaways
- You can make a paper easter basket easy to make in under 10 minutes with one square sheet, scissors, and tape, glue, or a staple.
- This tutorial covers two paper easter baskets: a folded paper basket and a paper plate version.
- These projects are kid-friendly, low-mess, and handy for last-minute easter basket needs before Easter Sunday 2026, April 5, 2026.
- You’ll add a basket handle, decorate with an easter bunny theme, and fill it with shredded paper grass or chocolate eggs.
- No complex template is needed; standard geometric folds create the shape.
Why a Paper Easter Basket Is the Perfect Last-Minute Craft
A diy easter basket made from paper is cheap, fast, and easy to customize for kids, classrooms, friends, or family. When store baskets are sold out, a simple paper basket still looks cute on an Easter brunch table or as a neighbor gift.
This guide focuses on beginner paper crafts for children ages 5–10 with supervision. The benefits are practical too: crafting supports fine motor practice through cut, fold, and glue steps. If you want inspiration later, visit Simply Paper Crafts for tutorials and ideas, save this post on pinterest, tag a photo, or comment on your favorite idea.
Supplies You’ll Need for These Easy Paper Baskets
A paper Easter basket can be created using supplies such as construction paper, cardstock, or paper plates. For bigger projects, a guide to top craft paper supplies for creative projects can help you choose the right paper weight and finish. Creating a simple paper basket may involve tools such as scissors, a ruler, a pencil, and adhesives like glue or staples.
You’ll need:
- A4 or 8.5” x 11” colored paper or cardstock
- One plain white paper plate
- scissors, ruler, pencil, tape, glue stick, or stapler
- Optional: markers, stickers, ribbons, tissue, scrap paper, chick or bunny shapes
Sturdy cardstock makes stronger easter baskets; printer paper works for light foil eggs. To make a paper basket, you will need paper such as construction paper or cardstock, scissors, and glue, with a glue gun being particularly effective for adults. Basic supplies for creating paper baskets include a paper plate or cardboard, scissors, and a stapler. For strength, choose craft paper around 180–220 gsm; paper weight guides explain why heavier paper holds shape better.
Method 1: Folded Square Paper Easter Basket (No Template Needed)
This paper easter method uses one square piece and a grid-and-fold technique that can create a sturdy base in under 10 minutes. If you enjoy simple folds like this, explore fun paper activities for creative minds to keep kids crafting all year. From a 21 cm square, you’ll get a small paper basket for mini chocolate eggs or one medium egg.
Step 1: Mark and Fold the 3 × 3 Grid
Cut your paper into a perfect square. Place the nice side down so pencil lines stay inside. Use a ruler to measure a 3 × 3 grid; for a 6” square, draw lines every 2”.
Fold along each line, open it, turn the square, and repeat. The creases are your guides.
Step 2: Make the Corner Cuts
Cut only along the vertical grid lines on the top and bottom rows. You should make four cuts total. The middle stays solid, while the outside panels become tabs.
To make a simple paper basket, you can use a square piece of paper, cut strips on two sides, and fold the strips inward to create the basket shape. Careful cuts make multiple paper baskets look neat.
Step 3: Fold Up and Secure the Basket Sides
Fold the center side panels upward. Bring the cut corner tabs inward and overlap them slightly on the other side. Tape inside for a tidy outside, or use dots of glue and press 20–30 seconds.
For a woven version, cut four strips of paper 1 inch wide and 14 inches long, and weave them together to form the basket’s sides. When making a paper basket, you can use strips of paper cut to specific lengths, such as 1 inch wide and varying lengths depending on the design, and choose from the best types of paper for craft to get the structure or softness you want.
Step 4: Add a Simple Paper Basket Handle
Cut a handle strip 2–3 cm wide and about the same length as the original square. You can create a handle for your paper basket by cutting a strip of paper and attaching it to the inside of the basket with glue or staples.
Bright colors and various patterns for your paper strips can make your Easter basket visually appealing and fun for kids. For more family projects, look at cute paper craft ideas for fun DIY projects that pair well with these baskets. Try three strips braided together for extra support.
Step 5: Turn It into an Easter Basket with Quick Decorations
Personalize your Easter baskets by using different colors of cardstock paper and adding decorations like cut-out shapes of chicks or bunnies. Glue two oval ears, a circle nose, and draw eyes, whiskers, and teeth for an easter bunny face.
For a chick, add yellow paper, orange triangles for a beak, and tiny wings. Creating your own paper grass for the basket can enhance its appearance; simply shred colored paper to make it look more festive. You can also try beginner paper quilling art to add curly feathers, flowers, or swirls on the sides. Then fill with chocolate eggs.
Method 2: Easy Paper Plate Easter Basket (Staple-and-Fold)
This super easy paper plate easter basket craft is best when crafting with a group or short on time. A plain, uncoated 9” paper plate works well; thin cardboard cut into a circle also works.
Step 1: Draw the Cross and Cutting Lines
Flip the plate eating side up. Draw a cross from top to bottom and side to side, stopping 5–6.5 cm from the center so the middle remains uncut.
Step 2: Cut and Fold the Paper Plate into a Basket Shape
Cut along each of the four lines toward the center. Fold each flap upward and overlap neighboring flaps so the plate forms a shallow bowl.
Step 3: Staple the Sides and Add the Basket Handle
Staple overlapping corners with one or two staples. Cut a long strip from another plate or cardboard, then staple each end inside opposite sides. Use tape instead for very young children.
Step 4: Decorate Your Paper Plate Easter Basket
Decorate with markers, water-based paint, pastel shapes, or colored paper eggs around the rim. Let each child sign their name on the basket handle.
Quick Ideas to Fill and Use Your DIY Easter Baskets
Half the fun is deciding what goes inside. Use shredded magazine pages, pastel tissue strips, homemade paper grass, stickers, cookies, tiny toys, or notes “from the Easter Bunny.” If you love gifting, some people even turn similar projects into products using paper crafts that sell well at spring markets or school fairs.
Mini baskets also work as place cards: write each guest’s name on the handle. After easter, change the colors and reuse the same project for birthdays, Mother’s Day, or classroom rewards, or switch seasons completely with easy paper snowflakes for winter decor.
Tips for Crafting with Kids and Making Baskets Sturdier
Use cardstock or double thin paper if the basket will hold heavier candy. Pre-draw lines for young children so they can focus on folding and decorating, or let older kids try folded accents like simple paper stars step by step or beginner-friendly origami designs to hang above the baskets.
Supervise scissors and staplers, especially under age 8. Reinforce weak corners with extra tape inside. If you search a website for a download, video, or links to a printable template, watch the steps first and adapt the course to your supplies this week.
FAQ
How big should my paper be for a small Easter basket?
A 15–21 cm, or 6–8¼”, square makes a small basket for mini eggs. A 30 cm, or 12”, square makes deeper paper baskets for a full-size chocolate bunny. Keep the 3 × 3 proportions the same.
Can I make these paper baskets the night before Easter Sunday?
Yes. Each version takes about 5–10 minutes. Make them the evening before, store them dry, and add unwrapped food on Easter morning.
What type of paper plate works best for a paper Easter basket?
Use a plain, medium-weight, uncoated paper plate. Very flimsy plates collapse, while glossy plates are harder for kids to cut and fold.
How can I make my paper basket look more like an Easter bunny?
Glue long white or pink ears to the back rim, add a small pom-pom or paper circle tail, and draw big eyes, a heart nose, and whiskers on the front.
Are these DIY Easter baskets reusable after Easter?
Paper baskets are not as durable as wicker, but they can be reused a few times if handled gently. Flatten carefully for storage, and recycle or compost plain paper when finished, depending on local rules.
