Naturally Gorgeous Easter Egg Dyes and Decorations

Easter egg decorating — Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

This Easter, go for all-natural dyes made from ingredients in your kitchen, then find some natural decorations in your own backyard!

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Naturally dyed Easter eggs — Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Nature's Colors

Teach your kids how to make beautiful pastel dyes from everyday foods and spices. Then send them to the backyard for Mother Nature's decorations.

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Nature's Color egg dye — Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Yellow and Blue Dye

Yellow: Add 6 tablespoons turmeric and 1 tablespoon white vinegar to 4 cups hot water and stir until dissolved.

Blue: Add one head of shredded purple cabbage to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 1 tablespoon white vinegar and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the cabbage with a slotted spoon (save it for a recipe, if you like).

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Orange and Pink Dye

Orange: Add the skins of 6 yellow onions to 3 cups boiling water. Stir in 1 tablespoon white vinegar and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the dye.

Pink: Cut 6 medium beets into chunks and add them to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 1 tablespoon white vinegar and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the beets with a slotted spoon (save them for a recipe, if you like).

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

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Photograph by Lucy Schaeffer

Decorate the Eggs

Petals, leaves, feathers, and blades of grass add to the earthy appeal of these eggs. Decorate them one at a time: paint a portion of the egg with matte Mod Podge, then place a thin natural object on the wet surface and gently smooth it in place. Apply another coat of Mod Podge on top, then let the eggs dry.

Amanda Kingloff writes our Everyday Fun blog and is the author of the new book Project Kid.

Originally published in the April 2014 issue of FamilyFun

By Amanda Kingloff