DIY Halloween Baskets

These DIY Halloween baskets are made using lightweight paper mache perfect for little ones to hold and are easily customizable to your child's costume. They will add a special touch to any Halloween costume and kids love to show them off.

The other day I was looking through old photos and remembered that I used to make these handmade treat baskets for the kids. I guess that was before I had 3 kids and still some time? Anyway, they came out so cute, the kids loved them and they added that little extra touch to their costumes.

See also: DIY Jack o Lantern Halloween Bath Bombs

What You'll Need

• White Elmers Glue - you can use clear glue, but make the glue-water ratio 3:1
• Water
• Small bowl
• Balloon - a regular sized balloon is usually big enough for kids
• Heavy-duty paper clip or clothespin (optional)
• Tall takeout container or vase (optional)
• Newspaper strips
• Printer paper strips (optional)
• Acrylic paint - you don't want to use watercolor, it will make the paper mache soggy
• Scissors
• Rope, thick string or ribbon
• Hole punch

How to Make Papier Mache Baskets Using Balloon

1. Inflate Balloon: Think about how big you want your basket to be, may hold it next to your child for reference, and blow your balloon up to that size.
2. Secure Balloon: this isn't a necessary step, but it makes working a lot easier. Secure the tip of your balloon with a heavy-duty paper clip or clothespin to give it some weight and place it clip down into a tall container.
3. Create Glue Mixture: In a small bowl mix together 2 parts of glue with 1 part water.
4. Soak Paper Strips: Briefly dip newspaper strips in glue mixture, gently remove excess glue by running the paper strip between two fingers, and place it flat on top of the balloon.
5. Repeat and place paper strips so that they're slightly overlapping. Continue until the balloon is covered in 3 layers of paper strips. I like to use printing paper as the last layer which makes the paint stand out more later on.
6. Let dry and fully harden
7. Design: Now it's your time to get creative. (If you don't mind coloring upside down, I would leave the balloon set up the way it is for best results.) Using a pencil draw the outline of your design on the basket and color it in using acrylic paint.
8. Let paint dry
9. Pop the balloon and gently peel it off the paper mache wall.
10. If you wish you can now paint the inside of the basket as well.
11. Using a scissor clean up and even out the opening of the basket.
12. Punch holes into the sides and attach a cord or ribbon as a handle.