Easter Egg Coloring

Set up a work area by layering a few sheets of newspaper across a table. Place 1 cup of boiling water, one teaspoon of white vinegar and 15 to 20 drops of food coloring into a bowl or mug. Stir until well combined, and then place on the work station for children.

Show little ones how to gently place the eggs into the containers of dye. As they wait for the egg shells to absorb the color, talk to them about Easter. Ask children to tell you about Easter, and teach them something new.

You can also talk to little ones about all the things they like about spring. The eggs will need to stand in the dye for at least 10 minutes. Help children create a pattern on their eggs by applying different items to the shells before placing them in the dye.

Demonstrate how to wrap a piece of lace ribbon around an egg. The ribbon should fit snugly against the egg. Hold in place with a rubber band. After the egg has dried, cut the rubber band and remove the lace to reveal a pattern. Children can also wrap an egg in rubber bands to create a striped look, or place stickers on the egg shells to create a different look.

To make a two-tone egg, dye the eggs in a light color like yellow. Allow to dry, then apply the rubber bands or stickers and return to a dark color or dye.

When little ones are happy with their eggs' colors, remove the eggs and allow them to dry upright in an egg carton. Children learn how color and patterns work together to change the look of an egg. They will have fun eating their creations too!

Materials to Dye Easter Eggs

Newspaper
Dish deep enough to submerge an egg
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon white vinegar
Liquid food coloring
Hard-boiled eggs
Slotted spoon
Lace
Rubber Bands
Small Stickers

Feedback from Crafts Mom

I was pleasantly surprised at how vibrant these eggs had become and so fast in this homemade egg dye mixture. I bought gel food coloring that are pastel colors too, and this recipe is so superior to the traditional store bought dyes. I am going to make this recipe each Easter for the eggs from now on. My child loved the colors of the eggs and this was an exciting project.