Easter is just around the corner! At the moment I’m planning a special last minute craft project for my grandchildren to do! I hope it will add some fun to our traditional Easter egg hunt. Because our little ones know that we’re behind the egg-hiding (no Easter bunny here!), this activity is all about creating colurful gift bags for each other.
The Project: Easter Egg Hunt Gift Bags
For this craft, I’m using simple A4 paper (exam pad and copy paper) to make little gift packets for the kids to colour in and decorate. I am going to use them to hold some of the Easter eggs we will be hiding on Sunday morning. I used a simple design that we hand-printed a few years ago at Edenwell. (A black and white Easter pattern printed onto a regular sheet of A4 paper using my home printer).
Here are the steps to turn them into lovely gift bags:
1. Printing & Cutting:
I started by printing the Easter pattern on A4 paper. Once printed, I cut each sheet in half lengthwise on the cutting line, and then folded each in half in half again on the dotted fold line. This process left two open sides that need to be joined.
2. Stitching the Sides:
Using my sewing machine, I stitched along the open edges, to form the two sides of a little bag. A handy hint for anyone trying this at home: increase the stitch length a little to prevent a “tear on the dotted line” situation where the paper might split open if the needle holes are too close together..
3. Creative Customization:
Now comes the best part—personalisation! My grandchildren will use kokis, or colored pencils to fill in the design. Since the base pattern is simple and bold, I think it will be able to handle anything from light scribbles to detailed colouring, making it a fun activity for all of the ages.
Why I Love This Project
This project is more than just a creative craft. I trust it will add some fun to our Easter egg hunt. My hope is to tone down the usual excess of sugary chocolates, and make more of the moment as each child finds small Easter eggs in each other’s hand-decorated bags.
Print Your Own
I’ve loaded a Template of the pattern on my website, so you can print it out and make these little bags with your children too.
Whether you’re looking for a fun Easter activity or a way to add a bit of handmade flair to your celebrations, this project is both simple and fulfilling.
Happy Crafting and Happy Easter
The creative process itself is a joy. I believe that creating anything together is a memory in the making and enriching to our family relationships and traditions.
Encouraging Creativity in Children: A Grandparent’s Perspective
Doing creative projects with children is a way to encourage imaginative thinking, and a sense of accomplishment in the completed project. In my experience working with my grandchildren, I’ve learned that a balance of preparation and freedom yields the best results. On one hand, the more prepared I am, the smoother the process and the more satisfying the outcome. On the other hand, there are occasions where allowing spontaneous, free expression is the way to go. Where the end result doesn’t matter as much as the experience itself.
When I do printing projects with my grandchildren—like decorating t-shirts—I’ve found that the key is to cover everything that shouldn’t be painted. (With sticky tape and cling wrap usually) That way, there’s less room for mishaps and more room for fun and satisfaction. The children can focus on being creative, and the end result is a t-shirt they’re proud to wear. .
We recently made Easter baskets, and that was another opportunity where preparation made all the difference. I cut all the paper strips in advance and made a sample basket myself to understand how best to guide them. With clear steps and support, the project was enjoyable for everyone. The younger children (ages 0–4) mostly observed or did very little hands-on work, but they were aware of the process. Hopefully absorbing the joy of making and forming positive associations with creativity. The older ones (ages 6–8) took much more ownership of the process and really engaged with it.
Another recent project was coloring the Easter gift bags I had printed for them. Once again, the older children did very well and produced aesthetically pleasing results they were proud of. The youngest (2 years old) happily scribbled all over her bags with felt tips, enjoying the sensory experience of mark-making. The real surprise was the 4-year-old, who didn’t want to color his gift bags at all. Instead, he chose to glue them onto the sides of his Easter basket—a wonderfully creative decision that I hadn’t anticipated. It reminded me of the importance of letting go of expectations and embracing each child’s unique way of expressing themselves.
In the end, creativity with children isn’t about perfection or polished outcomes. It’s about connecting with my grandchildren, and being open to whatever unfolds. The process is as important—if not more so—than the product. And when we nurture creativity in this way, we foster in children a can-do attitude.