Natural Dye for Easter Eggs

I grew up dying eggs every Easter. Chances are you did too. My mum would let me pick out an Easter egg dying kit from the shop, some of which came with stickers and other fun things. Unfortunately, they also came riddled with artificial dyes and chemicals. Fear not little chickadees, you can make natural dye for Easter eggs with vegetables, fruit and spices. Kids will love making the dyes and watching the eggs change colour. You can even throw a history lesson in and explain how people used natural dye recipes long ago.

{SpiderWomanKnits}

EGG DYE RECIPE

You will need:

• free range eggs
• vegetables, fruits, spices
• white distilled vinegar

Instructions:

1. place eggs in pot and cover with 1/2" of water
2. add fruit, veggies or spices for dye
3. add 2 tsp vinegar
4. bring to the boil
5. reduce heat and simmer for 15 mins

{Andrea.Pacheco}

This method cooks the eggs as you dye them. Alternatively, you can prepare the dyes following the above instructions leaving out the eggs. Strain the dyes into containers, then add the eggs. The longer the eggs soak, they more vibrant the colours will be. If using raw eggs, be sure to keep them in the refrigerator.

Colours

• blue - red onion skins or red cabbage
• green - spinach
• yellow - lemon/orange peels or turmeric
• brown - coffee
• orange - yellow onion skins
• pink/red - beets