Get crafty this Easter and make papier-mâché eggs that are filled with fun treat.

Time: Approx 10 minutes for creating your egg. Allow about 2-3 days drying time.

What you need:

• News paper

• Thin craft paper or thin left over wrapping paper

• Plain standard flour (one part flour to one part water)

• Water

• One balloon

• Needle

• Cup or bowl to sit the egg in as you create

• Bowl or shallow container for your sticky papier-mâché mix

• Treats to fill your egg with, we used Monkey Nuts, Chocolate Kisses and home-made confetti

How to make the first layer of your egg

This gets messy so prepare your work space!

1. Tear up the newspaper into strips or squares and, in a separate pile, tear your colourful paper into small pieces. Arrange your paper so that they will be easy to access later.

2. Combine the flour and water (one part water, one part flour) and stir to create a sticky thick liquid.
   It should look a bit like pancake batter, but don’t eat it!

3. Blow up your balloon to the size you want your egg to be and put it in the empty bowl …so it doesn’t roll away.
   You can make your egg as big or small as you like, but remember that if it’s bigger it may take longer to dry.

4. Dip a piece of newspaper into the sticky substance. It shouldn’t be dripping, so wipe off any excess liquid on the side of the bowl.

5. Paste your paper onto the top of the balloon. Repeat this process, working from one end to the other until it is almost completely covered with ONE even layer of news paper.
   Remember, you should leave a small hole at the bottom, which you will be able to put your treats into later.

How to make the second layer of your egg

1. This layer is your decoration layer, so you can get creative with paper colours and patterns.

2. Your egg should be sticky enough to paste pieces of craft paper straight onto the balloon, without dipping it in the sticky mixture.
   If you find that you need to add more paste, to help it to stick, then carefully paint on the mixture evenly.

3. When you have finished, put some of your craft paper aside. You will use this later to cover over the opening at the bottom of your egg.

4. Wait 2-3 days for your egg to completely dry.

How to finish your egg

1. When your egg is dry, you can use a needle to pop the balloon.

2. Next, fill your egg with treats, notes and/or home-made confetti.

3. Cover the hole on your egg with your left over craft paper and a little papier-mâché mix or PVA glue and wait until it’s dry.

Eggcellent Egg Ideas

• Gift your eggs to family and friends for Easter.

• Use your Eggs in a home-made Easter egg hunt.

• Make a nest for your eggs out of crafts, or sticks and leaves.

Did you give it a go?

Did you try making your own papier-mache Easter egg?

Send us a photo of your egg(s) and you’ll go into the draw to win a mystery “Upstart DIYer” prizes.