Ostara Crafts
Easter Baskets
2 litre soda bottle
scissors
decorations of choice
This is a project I tried last year at school. We took 2 liter soda bottles
and made them into Easter Baskets, The ways to decorate is endless. Hope you
have has much fun as we did. I measured up about 5" and cut the bottle,
we also left 2 pieces about 1" wide for the handle.
Sugar Easter Eggs (NON-EDIBLE)
These make a wonderful decoration but remember these are NOT edible.
Ingredients:
1 beaten egg white
1/2 c. confectioners sugar
3 1/2 c. granulated sugar
Beat egg white, add confectioners sugar, then add granulated sugar.
Use food coloring if desired. Put in mold; let dry for about 1/2 hour;
scoop out mold to the right thickness. I fasten the two halves of the
eggs together with Royal Icing and decorate inside with scene and out
side with the icing. These make a great gift and can be stored for the
following year. People love them.
Easter Placemats
Old Easter cards
Easter pictures from magazines
your childrens drawings
light weight cardboard or heavy construction paper
glue
contact paper
Gather up Easter cards from past years, pictures from magazines or
your children's favorite drawings. Glue onto light cardboard or
construction paper in decorative fashion the size of a placemat.
Cover this collage with clear contact paper to seal the placemat.
Be sure to have your child date and sign it.
These make great gifts for grandparents.
Easter Grass
1 large Easter basket
1 lb wheat seed
1 lb vermiculite
plastic wrap or clear plastic bag
Grow a miniature meadow in an Easter basket it's real simple. A week
before Easter line a large Easter basket with plastic wrap and fill
with vermiculite (about 2-inches deep). Sprinkle wheat seed on top
of the vermiculite. Put the basket in the sink and add water until the
seed bed is damp. You shouldn't have to water it again before Easter.
Set the basket in a pan and place in filtered sunlight. Cover loosely
with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag to keep moist. Remove the
plastic after two days. The wheat should begin to sprout during the
next few days. By Easter morning you would have real Easter grass to
hide your eggs in.
Woven baskets
pastel colored construction paper two colors
scissors
glue or stapler
Using one piece of paper cut horizontal straight lines about one inch
in from side to side across paper, about 1/2 inch a part from each
other. The paper should be covered from top to bottom with these
slits.
Next take the other color of paper and cut 1/2 strips. Weave these
strips in and out of the slits in the first paper.
When completed with all the strips glue the ends of the strips to
the first paper to hold in place. Next fold up the sides to make a
basket shape. Staple or glue in place. With a contrasting color make
a handle on your basket and staple or glue. Basket can then be filled
with shredded paper to make a nest in the bottom.
Easter Baskets and Bunnies
You'll need:
pint milk or juice carton
cotton balls
pink yarn
something to make eyes and nose (buttons, gumdrops or
other candy or whatever you like)
Close the top of the empty carton. Position the carton on its side
with the top closed edge vertical. Then on the side which is facing
up, cut along the two long edges and the bottom edge. Hold flap up
slightly and cut it to form two rabbit ears pointing away from the
pointed end of carton.
Cover the entire outer part of the carton with cotton balls including
the ears. Use a small piece of yarn to make outline of pink for the
inner ear. Use buttons or whatever you chose to make eyes and nose
on the pointed end of the carton. Place extra cotton balls for tail.
Fill carton with Easter grass and candy.
Bunny Mask
paper plate
pink construction paper
pink and/or white pipe cleaners
yarn
Using the paper plate, cut out eyes and nose in the plate. Cut out
bunny ears from pink paper and glue to the plate. Use pipe cleaners
to make whiskers, attach to plate by poking through and knotting at
back, or glue on. Use yarn to tie to either side of plate to tie on
your little one's head.
Chicks in a basket
egg carton
cotton balls
yellow food dye
shredded paper (optional)
bits of orange paper
marker
Dip one large cotton ball in yellow dye diluted with water. Let dry.
Cut egg carton so you have one section. Place a bit of shredded paper
(color optional) in bottom of section. When yellow cotton ball is
dry, draw eyes on top to make eyes. Cut out very small triangle of
orange paper and glue on yellow cotton ball to make chicks beak. Sit
chick in carton section to make the chick in the basket.
Note: Many people have commented that the cotton balls
- once dyed - will not dry - or take forever - anyone out there have
any suggestions on correcting this?
Great Tip!! The best way to dye cotton balls is to put
them in a Zip lock bag with dry tempra paint. Place the
coton balls in the Zip-lock bag with a few spoons of
dry tempra paint. Shake the bag to coat the cotton
balls. Remove the cotton balls from the zip lock bag
and shake off the excess paint. This works great. I
hope this tip will help.
Another idea! For the cottonball to be dyed yellow,
wipe off some powdered yellow pastels/chalks with the
cotton ball. See if this could work.
Paper plate bunny
large paper plate
small paper plate
glue
pink construction paper
cotton ball
crayons or markers
Using paper plates, glue small one to top of large one to form head
and body. Cut out bunny ears from pink paper. Glue or staple to head.
Draw eyes and nose on face of plate with crayons or markers. Glue a
cotton ball on the back for a tail.
Easter Bunny Ears
Construction paper (pink, white and/or brown)
Glue
Cut out bunny ears with the white and pink paper (pink
should be slightly smaller) or use two tones of brown for a
chocolate bunny. Glue the pink on white to make ears. (or
brown). Make a 2-inch band long enough to go around your
child's head. Staple in place. Attach bunny ears to band.
Belly Bunny
Need:
Large Styrofoam Ball
A plastic or unbreakable jar with a screw on lid (ex. Mason Jar, Jelly jar,
Peanut butter jar, etc.)
Construction Paper, White, Pink, and either Black, Blue, Brown, or Green
Cotton Balls
Toothpicks
A pink, blue or yellow ribbon (optional)
Glue
A grown-up should cut the bottom of the styrofoam ball just enough so
it will sit flat on the table. Then have the kids draw and cut out
black, blue, brown, or green eyes, (if you want them to match your
child's eyes), white bunny ears with pink ear insides (both ears
should be cut so the bottom of the ear is cut straight across), and
a pink nose.
Glue a cotton ball in the center of the styrophom ball (nose) then
glue the small pink nose to the center of the cotton ball. Glue the
eyes on to the styrofoam ball. While the glue is drying take the
white bunny ears and the slightly smaller (should be same shape)
pink ear insides. Lay the white ears down and glue a tooth pick (or
two for more stability) to the front side of the white ear with half
of the toothpick/s on the ear and half hanging off the bottom of the
ear. Then take and glue the back side of the pink ear on top of
the toothpick and white ear. Do this for each ear.
Next glue the styrofoam ball to the top of the jar lid which can be
decorated with a paper doily, markers or whatever you may have. Screw
the lid on and whichever way the bunny faces, on the other side glue
a cottonball at the bottom of the jar (tail). When the ears dry
stick the toothpick, that is hanging out from the bottom of the ears,
into the top of the styrophom ball. You can tie a ribbon around the
edge of the jar lid.
Fill your bunny with jelly beans, or M&M's or a treat like raisin's
or dried fruit. The child can take the bunny to school and share
their treats with the class. It is really cute and if the child wants
to get creative they can decorate the jar with stickers.
Paper Mache Eggs
Paper mache paste
balloon
tape
1-inch pieces newspaper, newsprint or paper toweling
pie tin
paint brushes
colored tissue paper (optional)
shellac
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Paper mache recipe
1 cup water
Mix in 1/4 cup flour until thin and runny
Stir this mixture into 5 cups lightly boiling water. Gently boil
for 2-3 minutes. Cool until you can dip paper into mixture without
burning yourself.
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Eggs
Make paper mache paste as above. When cool pour into pie tin. Blow up a
balloon and tape to a table. Dip strips of newspaper in paste and place
carefully on balloon. Continue overlapping pieces of newspaper on balloon.
Cover balloon completely and let dry. It may take overnight to dry,
particularly if children have use lots of paste. Once dry decorate the dried
ballon with paint or colored tissue in pretty pastel Easter colors. Finish
with shellac for a shiny, glazed effect.
Easter parade bonnet
Paper plate
construction paper
crayons or markers
glue
yarn
Children can decorate the paper plate any way they wish. Glue on pieces of
pastel paper, color flowers on plate, use your imagination. Tie yard to each
side of plate so it can be tied under child's chin.
or
construction paper
crayons, markers or stickers
tape or stapler
scissors
elastic thread or ribbon
Let children decorate a piece of paper. Make hat by folding paper into a cone
shape, tape or staple together. Cut bottom so it is even. Staple a length of
elastic thread or ribbon on each side to hold hat on.
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Bunnies, Ducks and Baskets
Paper plate Bunny Masks:
staple ears to a paper plate - ones that look like rabbit ears
cut out eyes, glue or draw on nose and mouth
cover plate with cotton balls for fur
attach string to hold up around head
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Paper plate Duck Masks:
same idea as above , but use yellow feathers instead of cotton balls ( also,
they don't have to be masks).
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Egg carton Mini-Easter Baskets:
use individual egg buckets (from egg carton)
ribbon for handle
put in easter grass, jelly beans, etc.
We've always done an Easter tree using budding branches from outside, place
them in a vase and decorate with homemade or store bought decorations.
Kristin Decatur
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Eggshell Mosaic
A great way to use up the remains of the Easter eggs. Children will love
breaking up the eggshells.
Colored eggshells
construction paper
crayon, pen or marker
glue
On a piece of paper have child draw a simple design (e.g. flower, balloon,
kite, egg). Spread glue in design area. Sprinkle bits of broken eggshells onto
glue. Allow to dry then hang and enjoy.
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No-bake craft clay
1 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups cold water
2 cups baking soda
food coloring (optional)
paint (optional)
Add all ingredients in saucepan and stir over medium heat for about 4
minutes.Mixture should be consistency of moist mashed potatoes. Add food
coloring if desired.
Remove from heat, turn on a plate and cover with a damp cloth. Let cool. When
cool knead like dough. At this point you may store in an airtight container.
For Easter shape clay into egg shapes. Let dry and paint. You may also flatten
one side and glue to brooch backs to make Easter jewellery.
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Egg Decorating
What would be Easter without decorating and coloring eggs? Here are are some
homemade dyes you can use and some different decorating ideas:
The eggs
The first thing you need is either hard boiled or blown eggs. If you use hard
boiled eggs hey must be kept refrigerated if you intend to eat them Do not eat
if they have been left our or painted with acrylic paints. If you want to keep
your decorated eggs it is best to use blown eggs. However, blown eggs are much
more fragile and harder for young kids to handle.
To make a blown egg poke a small hole in each end of the egg with a large
needle. Push needle into egg and twist around to break yoke. Hold the egg over
a bowl and blow hard through th hole until the shell is empty. Rinse eggshells
well and allow to dry. (save the raw eggs and scramble for breakfast).
Natural dye
Various food and plant items
Sauce pans for each color
Slotted spoon
strainer
cooking oil
soft cloth
Pour 1/2 cup water in each sauce pan. Add cut-up fruit, vegetables or plants
(carrots, blueberries, grass, coffee all work well). Bring to a boil and
simmer until water turns color you like. Remove from heat and strain reserving
water. When water is cool add boiled or blown eggs. Let sit until they turn
the desired color. Remove with slotted spoon and allow to dry. Polish with
small amount of cooking oil and soft cloth.
Crepe paper dye
Different color crepe paper
hot water
small bowls or cups
slotted spoon
cooking oil
soft cloth
Soak crepe paper in hot water in individual bowls or cups for each color. Add
eggs and allow to sit in water until he desired color is achieved. Remove with
slotted spoon and allow to dry. Polish with small amount of cooking oil and
soft cloth.
Food coloring dye
Food coloring
hot water
white vinegar
small bowls or cups
slotted spoon
cooking oil
soft cloth
For each color measure 1/4 tsp. food coloring in small bowl. Add 3/4 cup hot
water and 1 tbsp. white vinegar to each color. Add eggs and allow to sit until
they are the desired color. Remove with slotted spoon. Polish dry eggs with
small amount of cooking oil and soft cloth.
Waxed eggs
Wax crayons
paper towels
egg dyes in different colors
slotted spoon
cooking oil
soft cloth
Draw a heavy crayon patter on hard boiled egg. Dip egg in egg dye preferably a
dark color. Leave in dye until desired color is reached. Remove with slotted
spoon and place in 200 degree F oven for a few minutes until wax is melted.
Wipe with paper towel and dip again in lighter dye to fill in pattern where
wax was. Polish finished eggs with cooking oil and soft cloth.
Dip and dye eggs
Masking tape
Different color egg dye
slotted spoon
cooking oil
soft cloth
Stick a pattern of masking tap on plain hard boiled egg. Dip egg in egg dye
and leave until desired color is reached. Remove with slotted spoon and air
dry. Remove masking ape when dry. Leave masked areas white or dip again in
another lighter dye. Polish finished egg with cooking oil and soft cloth.
Marble eggs
Large glass jar
Crayon stubs
Vegetable grater
Hot water
Waxed paper or newspaper
Empty egg carton
Clear acrylic spray (optional)
Grate peeled crayons over waxed paper. Fill jar with very hot water. Drop bits
of grated crayon into water. Add hard boiled or blown egg as soon as crayon
begins to melt. Twirl egg in water with spoon. the wax should make a design on
the egg. Carefully remove egg and set upside-down in egg carton to dry. Once
dry spray with clear acrylic to seal.
Sponge painted eggs
Liquid tempra paint
paper cups (for each color)
small pieces of foam or sponge
clothes pins (for each color)
egg cups
clear acrylic spray
Place hard boiled or blown eggs in egg cups. Partially fill paper cups with
different colors of paint. Clip a piece of sponge to a clothes pin and dip
into paper cups, use the clothes pin as a handle. Lightly dab the sponge over
the top half of the egg. Let dry. Turn egg over and repeat procedure. Let the
egg dry completely. If using blown eggs, spray with acrylic spray for a
permanent finish.
Commercial shrink wraps
Most retailers now sell plastic shrink wraps for egg decorating. All you do is
cut out the wraps. Slip over a hard boiled egg and dip in boiling water. Wrap
will shrink onto the eggs. There are several designs available on the market.
source http://usacitylink.com//easter/