Get Creative When Dyeing Easter Eggs

By BEA KARNES (Patch Staff)

Dyeing Easter eggs is a fun tradition for children and families, allowing small hands to get creative and artistic. You may follow the time honored methods of dyeing eggs, or try something new.

Paas It’s safe to say that nearly everyone reading this who celebrates Easter has dyed eggs with Paas Egg Dyeing kits sometime in their life. Paas has been around for 135 years and sells millions of kits every year. Every single Easter egg from my childhood was made with Paas.

According to Paas you can make intensely colored eggs by dissolving each tablet in 3 tablespoons of vinegar, followed by a half-cup of water. Traditional colored eggs require you to dissolve the tablets in 3 tablespoons of lemon juice followed by water. While pastel eggs are made by dissolving the tablets in water only. Place the eggs in the cups of dye until they are the desired color, and then remove with the wire egg holder provided.

Food coloring If you’d like to try your hand with food coloring, McCormick recommends mixing 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 teaspoon vinegar and 10 to 20 drops food color in a cup to achieve desired colors. Using this method, it takes about 5 minutes to dye each egg.

Kool-AidMore ideas? How about Kool-Aid? Dissolve an envelope of Kool-Aid mix in 2/3 cup of water. You’re ready to begin the dyeing process.

Shaving Cream This method creates swirled colors on the eggs. Start with one or two cans of plain white shaving cream (not gel). Spray the shaving cream onto a glass plate or glass baking dish with sides and smooth out the cream. Put drops of food coloring on the shaving cream and then swirl into a pattern using a toothpick or cotton swab. Now, roll the eggs in the cream until they are covered. Set aside to dry with globs of cream still on them. After 5-10 minutes, use a paper towel to wipe off the shaving cream.

Whatever method you choose, include all ages of family members and expect some colorful fingers before you’re finished.

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