Paper Bag Basket

Rating:

Supervision:

1 adult per 10 children

You will need:

2 paper bags of the same size, or 1 grocery bag
Scissors
Hole punch
2 brads
Anything you can decorate with

Intro:

Paper bag baskets are the perfect way to give a gift, go on a treasure hunt, make an Easter basket... their uses are endless. I have even made a few of these on the spot at an event when we didn't have bowls for the Goldfish crackers! They are very simple to make once you master the "cuffing" of the bag. Children may need help getting the basic form of the basket created but after that they will be able to go to town decorating.

Step 1:

First, decorate one bag. This is your exterior bag if you will be using two. You can use stickers, markers... Here, we're using wine cork stamps for dots! Don't forget the sides of your bag. Lay the bag flat and then fold back one side of the bag at a time to decorate.

Step 2:

Open up the decorated bag. Take your scissors and cut about 3 inches off the top of your second bag. This trimming will become your handle.

Step 3:

Take the shorter, undecorated bag and open it up INSIDE the decorated bag. To do this, just slip the shorter bag inside the decorated bag while still closed. Then, use your hand to gently open the unopened bag.

Step 4:

Now start folding. Fold and roll the paper down just like you were rolling a pair of jeans. Catch that second bag into your folding and keep gently "cuffing" the bag. Adults, this is where you will likely need to assist tiny hands. Cuffing the bag can be a bit difficult for younger children.

Step 5:

After each fold, make sure you run your hands around the inside of the "cuff" to make the corners of your bag folds crisp.

Step 6:

Once you have rolled the bag to the depth you want (I rolled four times here), use a hole punch to make two holes on opposite sides of the bag. This can be a bit tricky because you are punching through multiple layers of paper. Adults, you will need to do this part!

Step 7:

Take the second bag's "trimming" that you set aside, and open it up. Fold one side in lengthwise and then the other side on top of that, like a letter you would be folding into an envelope. You're making a long, narrow, and multi-layer handle. Then punch a hole about an inch in on either end of the handle.

Step 8:

Position one side of the handle against the bag's hole so that they are hole-to-hole.

Step 9:

Slip a brad through the holes and open it up. Repeat on the other side. If you do not have a hole punch and brads, you can just staple the handle in place. We like to use the brads because then the handle is movable!

Step 10:

And voila! A beautiful basket to go on an Easter egg hunt or other adventure!

Craft Variations:

Decorating with stamps are just the beginning! Here I have also tried ribbon, weaving it through holes punched after the basic bag was completed. I also used puff balls to make a funny bunny, and glitter foam stickers on the tiny basket. You could even use magazine cutouts.