DIY Barn Easter Basket For Friends, Barnmates, or for a Photo Shoot Prop (Anyone Can Make This!)

If you’ve been following our social media or browsing our website long enough, you’ve probably spotted me doing all sorts of things for the marketing team with my horses. This project originally started as a simple prop for a spring photo shoot, but it quickly turned into a DIY craft that friends kept asking about.

So I figured I’d share how I made the Spring/Easter basket prop we used for our photos. Considering I have ZERO crafting skills, the fact that this came out as cute as it did still has me speechless—which is saying a lot! If I can make one, you can absolutely make one too.

All of the supplies for the basket itself came from Dollar Tree, and the total cost was around $20. The goodies tucked inside the basket are just suggestions and would be an additional cost depending on what you choose to include.

Supplies

• 1 Round white laundry basket
• 1 Standard-width pool noodle
• 1 Easter bunny ear headband
• 2 Light-weight Zip ties
• 2 Bags of Easter grass
• 3 Empty, reasonably clean feed bags
• 8 Dust mop covers
• 1 Hot glue gun
• 1 Package of clear glue sticks

Before You Start

Before assembling the basket:

• Remove all stickers and tags from your supplies.
• Plug in and warm up your hot glue gun.
• Lay out your laundry basket, mop covers, and glue sticks so everything is within reach.

This project moves quickly once you start gluing!

Step 1: Create the Basket Handle

Take your pool noodle and bend it so that both ends fit inside the laundry basket.

I positioned the ends of the pool noodle about 6 inches down from the top of the basket. This made the handle appear taller since mine was meant purely for decoration.

Secure the pool noodle to the basket using zip ties on each side.

Want a functional handle?

If you’d like the handle to actually support the weight of a filled basket, place the pool noodle deeper inside the basket and use additional zip ties crossed together on the inside for extra support.

Step 2: Add the “Fluffy” Basket Texture

Starting at the top of the basket, just under the rim, apply hot glue directly to the outside surface of the laundry basket.

Work in sections about the size of a dust mop cover.

Press the mop cover into the glue fuzzy side facing away from the basket, placing it under the rim, but as close to the top edge of the basket as possible while avoiding contact with the hot glue.

Continue this process around the entire top of the basket.

Let the glue cool for about 5 minutes before moving on.

Step 3: Add the Second Layer

Once the top row has cooled and is secure, begin attaching a second layer of mop covers just below the first row.

Continue gluing until the outside of the basket is fully covered.

For my basket, I used:

• 4 mop covers for the top row
• About 3½ mop covers for the bottom row
• You’ll need to measure and cut the last mop cover before gluing into place

Allow the glue another 5 minutes to cool and set.

Step 4: Prepare the Bunny Ears

Take your bunny ear headband and carefully remove the ears from the band.

Mine cleanly cracked right off at the base with very little horse girl energy. If you aren’t so fortunate, I’d bet a nail file would smooth it down nicely if you don’t have sandpaper.

If your headband has any accent pieces you want to use (mine had a small felt carrot), gently remove those as well.

Step 5: Attach the Decorations

Add the Accents to the Handle

Apply hot glue to the back of any accent pieces, then press them onto the pool noodle handle.

Tip: Avoid applying hot glue directly to the pool noodle foam, as it can melt.

Attach the Bunny Ears

Decide where you’d like the ears positioned on the basket.

Apply hot glue to the base of the ears and press them firmly onto the basket.

For added stability, make sure part of the ear base attaches to the exposed rim of the basket. This helps give the ears structure and keeps them from flopping over.

Step 6: Fill Your Basket

Now comes the fun part!

Fill your basket with Easter grass, then add decorative items like:

• Spring treats
• Plush toys
• Candy
• Carrots
• Apples
• Horse Treats

You can also use clean feed bags inside the basket to help shape the filler and support your decorations.

Final Thoughts

This project started as a quick prop idea for a photo shoot, but it ended up being such a fun and affordable craft that I had to share it.

And seriously—if someone with no crafting experience whatsoever can pull this off, anyone can.

If you decide to make one, tag us on Instagram! I’d love to see how yours turns out!