Eggs to Dye For
There’s always a lot on my to-do list the week leading up to Easter, but one activity that my family looks forward to helping me check off my list is colouring eggs. I always have the best intentions of incorporating some of Martha’s beautiful egg decorating ideas, but in the end I fall back on the PAAS Easter Egg Decorating Kits. They are inexpensive, simple to use and available everywhere. Once the eggs are coloured and/or decorated, we display them in a basket or on an Easter plate as the centerpiece.
It occurred to me as we were colouring our eggs last night, that even though it seems so simple, there are a few tips and tricks that can make the difference between a successful egg colouring activity, and a disaster.
Here are a few simple tried-and-true tips:
You’ll Need
- Newspaper
- Egg colouring kit
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Vinegar
- Empty egg carton
- Crayons
Tips
- Boil the eggs the night before to ensure they are cooled completely.
- Cook more eggs than you’ll need to allow for a few cracked ones.
- The dye in the egg colouring kits doesn’t wash off, so ensure clothing is protected with art smocks or have everyone dress in old t-shirts.
- Arrange newspaper on each child’s work space to protect the surface from any spills or drips.
- Make sure each child has a tool for dipping and lifting their eggs into the dye.
- Follow the mixing instructions on the egg colouring kits.
- Encourage your kids to be creative by mixing colours and making designs on their eggs.
- Draw pictures or designs on the eggs with crayons before dipping to achieve a batik effect.
- Leave the eggs somewhere safe to dry before displaying them in a basket or on a plate. Egg cartons are handy for drying as well as for transporting the eggs to a family dinner.
- Use cracked eggs to make egg salad sandwiches the next day.
Did I mention how much fun you’ll have trying to scrub the dye off of your fingers once you’re done?
Do you have any egg colouring ideas or tips?
