Easy Easter Basket Craft for Kids

Go green this Easter . . . help your kids make their own Easter basket from materials in your recycling bin. This beautiful craft is easy, economical, and fun to make.

Materials
One empty half-gallon plastic milk jug
Scissors
Wax paper
Multi-colored tissue paper or newspaper
Glue and water
Paintbrushes
Pipe cleaner
Pony beads
Easter grass
Easter eggs, jelly beans, and chocolate bunnies

Directions
1. Use the scissors to cut out the bottom portion of the milk jug. (Depending on the age of the child, this might be a job for a grown-up.) The sides should be approximately 3 to 5 inches tall. Be sure to return the leftover milk carton to the recycling bin.

2. Wash the milk jug thoroughly to eliminate any milk or juice odors.

3. Prepare a work space by setting down a piece of wax paper and placing the milk jug on it, upside down. (The wax paper is useful so that your table will be protected, yet your project will not stick to it.)

4. In an old bowl, mix together equal parts glue and water. Stir thoroughly with the paintbrush.

5. Cut or tear the tissue paper into small squares. If you wish to use even more recycled materials, cut out small, colorful pieces from the comics or print ads in your old newspapers.

6. Use the paintbrush to spread the glue-water mixture onto the bottom and outsides of the milk jug. Place the small pieces of paper on the jug, overlapping so that the outside is completely covered. Apply a coat of the glue mixture on top of the colored paper as well.

7. When the glue is dry, turn the jug over to its upright position. Use scissors to poke small holes for the handle (on opposite sides of the jug, near the top.)

8. The handle will consist of pony beads on a pipe cleaner. First, put one end of the pipe cleaner through one of the holes from the outside of the jug. Put one bead on the pipe cleaner from the inside and twist the end of the pipe cleaner around it to hold it in place. String several beads onto the pipe cleaner from the outside. When you can curve the pipe cleaner over the top of the basket to your satisfaction, put the other end through the second hole. Place one bead on it from the inside and trim the excess pipe cleaner. Leave just enough to twist around the inside bead to hold it in place.

9. Fill the basket with Easter grass and yummy treats.

A homemade Easter basket is a fun activity for the kids and makes a great gift!