Do you celebrate May Day? These are fun and cute DIY May Day Baskets that are perfect for kids to share. All you need is some paper to make the basket and fun treats and goodies to put in it! Then go hang them on your friends door and have fun.

White door with May Day Basket hanging on it

Do you remember making May Day Baskets as a child? I do! We used little cups and filled them with candy, then set them on the doorstep, rang the doorbell and ran! It was always so much fun to do.

These baskets are made out of a paper cone and filled with toys and treats. You can do whichever version you’d like, but it’s so much fun so make sure to particpiate this year. The kids will have such a blast running around the neighborhood and delivering goodies or visiting their friends house and surprising them.

These are such an easy and fun activity to do that always makes great memories!

Table of Contents

What is May Day?

First of all, it always occurs on May 1st. In the United States the tradition is involves making May Day baskets to celebrate Spring. It can also include activities like a maypole dance and crowing a queen of May. May baskets are little baskets that are filled with flowers traditionally, but to make them kid friendly we fill them with treats and toys! Make your baskets then leave it anonymously on someone’s doorstep, but make sure to ring the doorbell and run away. The person that answers the door is supposed to chase you and try to kiss you!

Overhead image of May Day Baskets Supplies

Supplies Needed

2 Coordinating 12”x12” scrapbook paper sheets (or one piece of medium-heavy cardstock)
Clear tape
Scissors or exacto knife
Ribbon
Tissue paper
Treats/toys to fill basket

Most of these supplies are already in your house! Any color of cardstock will do. No need to go out and buy new just use what you have!

A great tip is to hit the Dollar Store for the treats. You can get a lot of great kids toys for spring and summer there to put in the baskets. Add a lollipop or few pieces of candy and that’s all you need!

Hand starting to roll a piece of paper to make a cone

Make the Paper Cone

The first thing you need to do is construct the paper cone either using one piece of thick cardstock or two pieces of coordinating thinner cardstock.

If you are using two pieces lay them back to back before making the basket.

Start rolling a cone shape in the middle of one edge. Tape down the inside as you go to hold in place. Then tape the outside corner in place.

If needed, add a little tape around the bottom of the cone for extra support – especially if you’re filling it with heavier items.

Paper cone with ribbon threaded through it

Add Ribbon

You’ll need to add ribbon to the cone to hang it from the door knob when you deliver them to your friends.

The first step is to cut 6 vertical slits around the top of the cone using scissors or exacto knife to thread the ribbon through.

Then cut a piece of ribbon about 3 feet long and weave it through the six holes you just cut. Tie the two ends together in a bow or knot it and curl the ribbon depending on what type of ribbon you are using.

Paper cone with tissue paper filled in it

Fill the May Day Basket

This is the fun part! We recommend putting a little tissue paper on the bottom of the basket to help support the treats you put in there or they will slip into the bottom and you won’t be able to see them.

Then pick out a few treats to put inside like a bubble wand, lollipop, candy, pinwheel, sidewalk chalk etc.

Overhead image of a homemade may day basket

More Spring Activities and Crafts!

Save those toilet paper rolls so you can make these adorable Toilet Paper Roll Butterflies! So cute and fun for spring and summer!
Another great use for toilet paper rolls is making Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeders. After you make them hang them up in your trees and watch the birds come and enjoy the treat!
Hang up these cute and easy Rainbow Suns that are so easy to make with construction paper, glue, scissors and a black marker.
Nothing is cuter than art made with handprints! Turn kid’s handprints into a cute butterfly with this easy Handprint Butterfly craft!

Have fun making your DIY May Day Baskets and surprising your friends!

If you take a picture and share them Instagram make sure to #kidsactivityzone or tag us @kidsactivityzoneblog so we can see them!