Make Paper Baskets for Birthday Party Favor Containers

Most birthday party favors come in little paper bags or mass-produced paper boxes. Why not try something different at your child's next birthday party? Create these quick and easy paper baskets to co-ordinate to the party theme. This is a great project for kids to help pick out the materials and to help make the party favor baskets.

Supplies Needed for Birthday Party Favor Paper Baskets

Patterned 12x12 cardstock or scrapbook paper in your choice of theme
Colored ribbon or raffia
Scissors or paper trimmer
Pencil
Ruler
Hole Punch
Bone folder or other tool to crease paper
Party favor trinkets and candies

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Birthday Party Favor Paper Baskets

Note: These instructions use a 6x6 inch square. You can make 4 paper baskets out of each 12x12 sheet of paper. If you want a larger paper basket, you can size up on the square.

1. Cut a 6x6 inch square from the paper.

2. Use the pencil and ruler to make folding guidelines on the paper square. See the second photo accompanying this article for a template. These guidelines will be folded so that this side becomes the interior of the paper basket. Be sure to orient your paper appropriately so that the side you want facing outwards is on the bottom.

3. Make a 2 inch guideline from each side of the square, drawing all the way across.

4. You should now have a tic-tac-toe looking diagram drawn on your paper.

5. Draw a horizontal line in the middle of each corner square. Each corner square should now be divided into 2 equal triangles.

6. Score along all the drawn lines using the bone folder or other tool.

7. Use the hole punch to make one punch near the outer edge of the large square. Refer to the second photo for placement.

8. Cut a 6 inch piece of ribbon, string, or raffia and set aside.

9. Fold the paper towards the interior of the square, matching the hole punches in the center.

10. Thread the ribbon through the holes.

11. Pull the ribbon tightly together and knot it to secure the birthday party favor paper basket.

12. Fill the paper basket with small candies or toy trinkets. In the diagram, we used little plastic dinosaurs.

Paper Basket Options:

1. Use a pipe cleaner or decorative brads instead of the ribbon to secure the basket.

2. On the finished paper basket, write each party attendee's name on one of the outside squares.

3. Add glitter or rhinestones for sparkle.

4. Adapt these paper baskets for any party occasion including weddings and showers.

5. Make these paper baskets as a craft project during a birthday party.