If you’re looking for a fun activity that all members of the family can join in with this Easter then this one ticks all the boxes. The designs can be anything you want them to be, so be sure to let your imaginations run wild. There’s no end of inspiration out there in magazines and on websites such as Pinterest, who will also advise which materials to use.
Once completed, the eggs could sit in homemade nests, hang from walls on string, or sit in egg cups on the mantelpiece. You could even buy Easter eggs online and put these in a basket with your decorated eggs to make a beautiful display.
Prepare the eggs
Before you start decorating, this is a vital first job, as it ensures your egg doesn’t go off! You have two options; either hard boiling the egg, or hollowing out the middle.
This can be done by using a big needle, firstly make a small hole in one end of the egg but go deep enough to break the yolk. Then make a larger hole in the other end.
Leaning over a bowl, blow into the large hole until all of the insides have come out of the smaller hole. Rinse the shell gently then leave it to dry completely. It gets easier once you get the hang of it!
Dyeing the eggs
Give your eggs their own special colours to make them look magical. You can purchase dye in craft shops, or you can make your own dye by mixing a teaspoon of vinegar with a quarter of a teaspoon of food colouring, then adding to water. Submerge your egg in the dye – the longer you leave it for, the deeper the colour will be.
Before dyeing an egg you can draw a lovely design with a white crayon, which will remain even after you’ve dipped the egg. Alternatively, you can stick shapes onto it, and these will remain dye-free too.
Add materials
Here’s your chance to get really creative. Just by adding a bit of glue and then sprinkles or glitter, you can turn your egg into a cacophony of colour to make it look glamorous.
You can also add thread or beads to give the egg its own look and texture, or – to give it a lovely marble-effect sheen – rub a little vegetable oil onto the egg (you can mix oil with the dye if you want to add the sheen at this stage).
For warm, subtle colours and design, why not try acrylic paint to get that lovely egg white, or speckled turquoise look?
This isn’t just great fun, it’ll also last. So long as you’ve cleaned your eggs properly before you start, and you store them away carefully after Easter, you’ll be able to bring your fantastic designs out again next year.
