Simple and Beautiful Eco-friendly Easter Activity For You and Your Kids

One of my fondest memories as a little girl was sitting at our dining table, dyeing boiled eggs with my dad every Easter. After we dyed the eggs, I would watch them dry and marvel at the beauty of each freshly-coloured egg. With my woven basket in hand, I waited excitedly while my dad hid the eggs all over the yard for me to find. It’s a core memory that I will never forget.

I realised after I moved to Australia from America that dyeing eggs isn’t much of a thing here but when I had kids of my own, I wanted to pass on the tradition. Every Easter we boil the eggs, set up the dye, and sit at the dining table…just like I did with my dad all those years ago.

It’s a simple, beautiful, and eco-friendly activity that you can do with your kids this Easter.  We add the element of making natural dyes which makes it extra fun! Let me walk you through it.

1. Make the dye:

• Bring 2 cups water to a rolling boil
• Add colouring agent (Each colour in different pot/ batch)
• Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or longer for the deepest colour.
• Strain liquid into a large jar and allow to cool to room temperature.

The dye is made with natural elements which makes them incredibly safe and eco-friendly. The colours are more muted than a box dye and it’s so fun for kids to see the whole process unfold!

Purple = 1½ cup shredded beetroot

Rust = 7 yellow onion skins

Orange = 3 tablespoons paprika powder

Sky Blue = 1½ cups shredded red cabbage

Green = 2 cups spinach (we tried this one and the colour wasn’t a win haha!)

Blue = 2 cups blueberries

2. Next, hard boil the eggs. Hot tip* Boil more eggs than you think you need, because kids just love decorating the eggs. Allow to cool.

• There’s a few fun things you can do to add patterns to the eggs. Before dyeing, decorate eggs with a wax crayon. Or wrap twine or rubber bands around the eggs. 

3. Add dye to jars. (This is a great moment to use the old, recycled pasta jars you have lying around.)

4. Using a spoon, gently place eggs into dye.

5. Allow eggs to sit in dye until desired colour is reached. Overnight will produce the darkest colours.

6. Remove eggs from dye and allow to dry. Place on recycled egg cartons to dry.

7. Hide the eggs all around the back yard and go for an egg hunt!

One thing we love about this activity is that it’s sugar free, natural, and no waste! Munch on those protein-filled eggs or make deviled eggs or egg salad sandwiches! Add the shells to the compost pile since they are fully compostable!