Paper Mach' Easter Basket

Materials:

• balloon
• newspaper.
   
• ONE OF:  white glue, mod podge OR paper mache paste (1 part flour to 4 parts water... boil about 3 minutes stirring constantly, add 2 ice cubes and let cool)-- See our "How to Mache" Activities
• poster or tempra paint
• paintbrush 

Instructions:

• Prepare your paper mache paste right away so it has time to cool (if using the boil method).  I like boiled paste as it's smoother and takes a lot less flour (the REDUCE part of the three R's!).
   
• Blow up a balloon.

• Tear strips of newspaper about 1 " wide and as long as you want.
   
• Dip in the paper mache paste, but then remove excess paste (I run it through my fingers to do this).
   
• Cover HALF the balloon in no more than 4 layers of paper mache (I always tell the kids no more than 2 as they always put on too much *grin*).  If you put on more than 4 it will likely mold before it dries.
   
• Put two strips over the uncovered half of the balloon to serve as the handle.

• Scrunch newspaper up and line a bowl with it.  Set the egg in that to dry.
   
• Let dry COMPLETELY.
   
• Apply a second layer of mache.  This time covering the opening.  The more layers you add, the sturdier it will be.  We applied a second layer, but we only did two layers, not 4 this time.
  

   

• Optional:  we always use scrap white computer paper or toilet paper (don't laugh) for the final layer of all of our paper mache projects. 
  • It takes less paint to cover.
  • I find newspaper needs two coats of paint, whereas the white paper only needs one.
  • Toilet paper gives a rough texture which is nice for a change.
     
• Paint the whole thing a base color or a couple of different colors (we used dark pink and purple and mixed the red, blue and white together ourselves)  Kaitlyn LOVES mixing her own paint.
        
• Let dry.
   
• Fill with treats!