Egg Carton Easter Basket
An egg carton becomes an Easter basket — and the transformation is genuinely clever. Cut in half lengthwise, an egg carton produces a tray with perfectly sized individual cups for holding Easter eggs, jelly beans, or small treats. Add a paper handle, some decoration, and green shredded paper "grass," and you have a personalized basket made entirely from recycled materials.
What You'll Need
- One cardboard egg carton — the 12-egg size
- Scissors
- Paint or markers — pastel colors for Easter
- Stapler — to attach the handle
- Construction paper strip — for the handle, about 12 x 1 inch
- Green shredded paper or Easter grass — for lining
- Stickers and foam decorations — for embellishment
How to Do It
Step 1: Cut the carton. Cut the egg carton in half lengthwise so you have one section with six cups. (The remaining half can make a second basket or be saved for another project.)
Step 2: Paint the basket. Let children paint the outside of the basket in their choice of Easter colors. Paint inside the cups as well. Allow to dry fully.
Step 3: Attach the handle. Staple one end of the construction paper strip to each short end of the basket. Arch it gently — this is the handle. Staple firmly, as this is the stress point of the basket.
Step 4: Decorate. Stickers, foam flowers, and marker-drawn patterns all work well. Let children lead the design choices completely.
Step 5: Add the lining. Fill the cups with green Easter grass or shredded green paper. This serves as both decoration and padding for eggs.
Step 6: Fill with treats. Tuck small Easter eggs, jelly beans, or stickers into the individual cups.
Skills Your Child Will Develop
Recycled materials thinking — Seeing potential in discarded objects builds creative and environmental awareness.
Three-dimensional design — Transforming a flat object into a functional container develops spatial reasoning.
Fine motor painting in small spaces — Painting inside the egg cups requires controlled, precise brushwork.
Tips & Variations
- Use two egg carton halves stacked and joined for a deeper basket that holds more.
- Weave yarn around the outside of the basket for a woven texture effect.
- Write the child's name on the bottom of each cup to claim their Easter treasures.
- Make multiple baskets: one for keeping, one for gifting to a neighbor.
My Two Cents
Staple the handle with at least three staples per side — the handle takes real weight when children carry candy-filled baskets. One staple always pulls through the cardboard eventually.
