{crafts} Naturally-Dyed Easter Eggs

This spring, teach your kids about the organic coloring powers of vegetables and spices with naturally-dyed Easter eggs. This craft gives kids a new understanding of what healthy ingredients can do and how we can avoid unnecessary waste. Plus, the earthy tones of these eggs look great as centerpieces on your dining table.

Naturally-dyed Easter eggs are zero-waste, non-toxic and eco-friendly.

Many popular commercial packages come with synthetic and artificial dyes that are loaded with chemicals. Not to mention some of the stickers, glitter, and disposable plastic sponges that come in the same box.

Here’s what you need

• A pot
• Water
• Boiled eggs
• A knife and cutting board
• White vinegar
• Mason jars
• Measuring cups and a tablespoon measure
• Strainer
• Colouring agents (veggies, spices, or other deep-colored ingredients)

Here are the coloring agents we experimented with

• 1 ½ cups chopped red cabbage – blue on white eggs, green on brown eggs
• 1 ½ cups shredded beets – pink on white eggs, maroon on brown eggs
• 3 tbsp Ground turmeric – yellow eggs
• 3 tbsp chili powder – orange eggs

Tip: Try experimenting with other coloring agents such as onion skins, spinach, coffee grounds, blueberries, saffron, and green tea. The rule is if it stains your hands, it will probably dye your eggs.

Step 1: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil

Step 2: Add the coloring agent. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes, depending on how deep you want the color to be. We made a few different dyes at the same time, however, feel free to take it as slow as you want.

Step 3: Strain the liquid and pour it into a mason jar. Let the jars cool until at room temperature.

Step 4: Add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and stir. Add boiled eggs.

Tip: Use a variety of brown and white eggs in each dye. The different eggs will produce different colors so you will get two colors from one dye. This works especially well with the dye from the red cabbage and the shredded beets.

Step 5: Refrigerate overnight or for 12-16 hours, depending on how deep you want your colors to be. Feel free to check the eggs to see if they need to sit longer. Each dye will behave differently so eggs may need to be taken out at different times, depending on the dye.

Step 6: Let the eggs dry on a drying rack.

Step 7: Enjoy your 100% natural Easter eggs.

Depending on the vegetables and spices you use, your colors may vary from subtle to bright and jewel-toned. There are lots of options out there for natural dying, so get creative and test different ingredients. Grass, nettles, artichokes, carrots, lavender, and various flowers may also work. You can also draw on your eggs with crayons before you start dipping and dying to create designs.

For more sustainable Easter crafts, check out our post from last year to make a basket for your eggs out of plantable paper.

You can buy seed paper sheets for eco-friendly paper craft projects from Botanical PaperWorks. We have a variety of seed options, including wildflower, herb and veggie, and over 25 seed paper colors. Join our mailing list to receive emails with freebies, projects, coupons, green living tips, and decor ideas and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest