We need to normalise being a mum who sucks at simple Easter craft

"I know bonnet and bunny craft is an essential part of Easter. So I tried. I dug deep. I paid a huge emotional toll."  

There’s one aspect of parenting I’ve always dreaded — and over the weekend, it finally arrived. 

Crafting.

I’ve always been creative, just not in a way that’s… impressive.

So when I got the notification about the Easter Hat Parade from daycare, I raced to battle stations (the Cricut Explore 4) and opened TikTok, desperate for the most basic, fail-safe craft. 

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In the eye of a crafting cyclone

Using a hat I picked up at a local craft store, a glue gun, and a hope-for-the-best attitude, I spent my weekend at the dining table. A location parents will know well as the eye of the craft cyclone.

Using the Cricut and some vinyl, I cut out bunny ears for the front and the backside of a bunny for the back (which I then hot-glued a small pink pom-pom to as a tail).

A few glue burns, some ribbon, shredded paper, mini bunnies and one plastic carrot later… I had crafted an Easter hat.

However, I’d also crafted a new appreciation for the mothers before me, who battled crafts so their kids could show up ready to make memories.

As far as a personal victory goes? Almost. 

My first ever Easter hat wasn't a total fail. Image: Supplied

I approached my notoriously hat-hating son, placed it on his head with all the hope in the world. I watched him throw it to the ground with a force that made the hot glue question its own strength.

Despite the emotional toll the hat took on me, I decided to take a second swing at Easter crafting. This time with something smaller, sweeter, and far less likely to be launched across the room.

As someone who’s failed more crafts than I care to admit, I was genuinely proud of how this one turned out. 

Using Cricut Design Space, it only took me a few minutes to find a bunny basket template that matched my skill level (somewhere between “Pinterest dream” and “hot mess”).

Crafting isn't my forte. Image: Supplied

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No tantrums here! 

I picked a design that used layered cardstock, mostly because I had plenty left over from the hat. 

I cut out the pieces using my Cricut, then folded and assembled the basket base. 

Once that was secure, I glued on the bunny’s face, ears, and added some pastel paper details to make it pop. 

I filled the inside with a small cadbury egg, but likely could have used a bigger egg (a kinder surprise might have worked a little better, otherwise if I were to do it again I’d adjust the size of the hole at the bunny's tummy). 

It came together quickly, looked adorable, and best of all no tantrums were involved (mine or my toddler’s). 

I used to think the perfect parent was the one who could whip up a themed craft masterpiece without breaking a sweat. But now I know better. 

The perfect parent isn’t the one with the prettiest Easter hat or the most symmetrical bunny basket — it’s the one who shows up, tries (even when they're bad at it), and keeps going, burns and all. 

Crafting doesn't come naturally to me and I’m sure I’m not alone in that regard.

But every cut, stick, and glue gun mishap was my way of showing my son how much I love him. 

The Easter Bunny basket that didn't break my sanity! Image: Supplied

Quick Step-by-Step for the Bunny basket:

1. Open Cricut Design Space and search “Bunny Basket” in Projects.
2. Choose a simple template and load your cardstock into the machine.
3. Cut and prep your pieces, then fold and glue the basket base.
4. Add the details — glue on ears, eyes, nose, and any extras.
5. Fill the stomach hole with a medium sized egg (cadbury’s egg hunt box or kinder surprise works well).
6. Admire your work and pretend it was effortless

Originally published as We need to normalise being a mum who sucks at simple Easter craft