DIY Carrot Surprise Ball — Easy Easter Craft with Hidden Treats
Put a playful twist on your Easter gifts with a DIY Carrot Surprise Ball. This simple craft hides small treats and trinkets inside a carrot-shaped crepe-paper shell — perfect for kids' baskets, party favors, or a whimsical centerpiece. Below are clear step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you through making your own.
Caption: Finished carrot-shaped surprise ball wrapped in orange crepe paper with a green topper.
Materials:
- Orange crepe paper rolls
- Green crepe paper for the stem/topper
- Spray paint in a slightly darker orange (optional, for shading)
- Small Easter trinkets or treats to hide inside
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
- Tissue paper for padding
- General craft glue
1. Build the core: You’ll want to start with the bulkiest, roundest item. If your item is irregularly shaped you can make it a little more round by wrapping it with some tissue paper like we did with our little chick toy. Begin wrapping the item with your orange crepe paper roll in a criss-cross pattern to cover all of your surface area. You’ll want to do this several times to add some bulk. If it’s lumpy you can round it out some by wrapping small items (candies are good for this) into the dents. If your crepe paper is slipping out of place you can add a small dab of glue here and there.
Caption: Gather a bulky core item and use tissue paper to even out irregular shapes before wrapping.
Caption: Start layering crepe paper around the core in a criss-cross pattern to add bulk.
Caption: Secure crepe paper with small dots of glue where needed to prevent slipping.
2. Shape into a carrot: Wrap the items so that it forms a longer shape like a carrot, adding more layers on one side than the other. The easiest way to do this is to start with a longer item (like our tube of bubbles), but it can be done with several smaller items — you just might have to use a little engineering.
Caption: Begin forming the longer carrot shape by concentrating layers on one end.
Caption: Continue wrapping to extend and taper the shape into a carrot-like form.
Continue wrapping, adding smaller items or crumpled tissue paper as filler, and using small dots of glue until your carrot shape is pretty much how you would like it. Use a little glue to secure the end of the streamer.
Caption: Add smaller fillers and adjust the shape to remove lumps and create a smooth taper.
Caption: Check the profile of your carrot and add layers where needed for an even shape.
Caption: Secure wrapped layers with small glue spots to hold the structure in place.
For the last layer, cut the crepe paper streamer in half or thirds so that it follows your shape more closely. Wrap with the thinner strips until your carrot shape is refined.
Caption: Use thinner strips for the final layer to smooth and refine the carrot's surface.
Caption: Trim and tuck the end pieces neatly, securing with glue.
Caption: Check the finished orange surface for uniform coverage and touch up as needed.
5. Add a dab of glue at the end to secure.
6. Make the green topper: For the green topper, make a tassel out of green paper. You can do this by using a long rectangle (about 18–24 inches long) of green crepe paper. Use scissors to fringe one edge of the rectangle, leaving a 1.5-inch area intact along the bottom edge. Roll the rectangle along the bottom edge, using a dab of hot glue to secure every few inches.
Caption: Cut a long rectangle of green crepe paper to make the carrot's leafy topper.
Caption: Fringe one edge with scissors, leaving a base to roll and secure.
Caption: Roll the fringed paper and add small glue dabs to hold the tassel together.
Caption: Finished green tassel ready to be attached as the carrot's leafy top.
7. Secure it to the top of the carrot with hot glue. Press and hold until the glue cools and the topper is firmly attached. Optionally, add light shading with spray paint or a marker for more dimension.
Caption: Final Carrot Surprise Ball — ready to hide treats inside and share at your Easter celebration.