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Make a hollow egg over a balloon, let each paper layer dry completely, then remove the balloon and add treats through the opening before patching it closed. The hands-on work is straightforward; drying is the part to plan ahead for.
What you need
- A balloon, such as a water balloon
- Newspaper or other paper, torn into small strips
- Wallpaper paste, flour-and-water paste, or PVA craft glue
- A brush or another way to spread paste
- A cup or stand to hold the balloon while the shell dries
- Scissors, if needed to trim paper
- Paint and decorations for finishing
- Wrapped treats to put inside
These are basic paper mache craft supplies; no particular brand is required. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) lists a balloon, newspaper and white paper, paste or glue, a small plastic pot, scissors, paints, and decorative materials. Gathered’s fillable-egg instructions use a water balloon, newspaper, PVA glue, a brush, and a cup or stand.
Make the shell over a balloon
- Inflate the balloon. Tie it securely and rest it in a cup or stand so it stays steady while you work.
- Prepare the paper. Tear paper into small strips. Smaller pieces are easier to fit smoothly around the curved surface.
- Cover the balloon. Coat each strip with a thin layer of paste or glue and lay it over the balloon. Overlap the strips to build a continuous shell, but leave an opening near the tied end. Make the opening large enough to remove the balloon and later add treats.
- Dry the first layer completely. Wait until the paper is fully dry before adding more. The IET’s instructions call for two layers, with complete drying between them.
- Add and dry a second layer. Cover the first layer with another overlapping layer, keeping the access opening clear, then let it dry completely.
- Remove the balloon. When the shell is dry, carefully burst the balloon and pull it out through the opening.
Fill the egg and close the opening
- Put wrapped treats through the access opening. Keep the fill light enough that it does not strain the shell.
- Cover the opening with paper strips and paste or glue, overlapping the patch onto the dry shell so it is held in place.
- Let the patch dry fully before painting or handling the egg extensively.
Adding the treats before patching the access opening is the key difference between a treat-filled egg and a decorative shell. Gathered explicitly describes filling the egg before covering its opening.
Paint and decorate
Once the shell and its patch are completely dry, paint it and add decorations. You can keep the finish simple with paint, or add other craft materials. Avoid loading the shell with heavy decorations if its paper construction is delicate.
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Plan for drying, not just crafting time
The IET labels its activity “60 or more mins,” but that is not a guaranteed start-to-finish drying time: its instructions also require each layer to dry completely before the next is added. Upstart Magazine estimates about 2–3 days of drying for its version of the project. That is a source-specific estimate, not a universal timetable; the pages do not quantify how conditions or construction choices change the time. Allow extra time rather than sealing or painting a shell that still feels damp.
Choose an opening style that suits the recipient
| Design | How it works | Useful when |
|---|---|---|
| Balloon mold with a patched access opening | Leave an opening while covering the balloon, remove the balloon after drying, add treats, then patch the opening. Gathered describes this fill-before-patching sequence. | You want a continuous shell that the recipient can open by tearing. |
| Cut or split egg | Make the egg in a way that creates a cut opening or two halves, then use that opening to add treats. Gathered mentions cut or split alternatives; Upstart describes covering a hole after filling. | You want more direct access or an opening that can be lifted rather than torn. The cited instructions do not establish a specific reusable hinge or closure. |
These are different craft approaches, not a controlled comparison. Decide whether the finished egg should be opened by tearing or by lifting a lid before choosing how to form its opening.
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Keep treats separate from craft materials
The cited instructions do not establish that paper, paste, glue, or paint is safe for direct food contact. Keep candy in its wrappers, and do not let unwrapped treats touch the shell or its craft materials. No food-contact certification or tested recommendation is provided for these projects.
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Sources
- Institution of Engineering and Technology: Easter DIY: Make a Papier Mâché Easter Egg with Balloons
- Gathered: How to make a paper mache Easter eggs (published February 19, 2025)
- Upstart Magazine: Kids Easter Crafts: Papier Mache Easter Egg
