This year you may want to think about tossing out the store-bought egg-dying kits. Enjoy a great afternoon of fun while teaching your kids a little bit of a science lesson.
To obtain different colors for your Easter eggs, we've listed a variety of natural, organic materials. Keep in mind, eggs colored with natural dyes have a dull finish and are not glossy. After they are dry, you can rub the eggs with cooking oil or mineral oil to give them a soft sheen.
You'll need to use your own judgment about exactly how much of each natural to use. Except for spices, place a handful (or two or three) of each in a saucepan. Add tap water to come at least one inch above the natural dye materials. Bring the water just to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Let simmer for about 15 minutes or up to an hour until you like the color obtained.
The colors will come out differently on white eggs and brown eggs. Try both!
Blue
- Blueberries
- Red Cabbage Leaves (boiled)
- Purple Grape Juice
Brown
- Strong Coffee
- Instant Coffee
- Black Walnut Shells (boiled)
- Black Tea
Gold/Yellow
- Orange or Lemon Peels (boiled)
- Carrot Tops (boiled)
- Chamomile Tea
- Celery Seed (boiled)
- Ground Cumin (boiled)
- Ground Turmeric (boiled) or Saffron
- Green Tea
- Turmeric
Orange-Brown
- Chili Powder
Green
- Spinach Leaves (boiled)
Greenish-Yellow
- Yellow Delicious Apple Peels (boiled)
Grey
- Purple or Red Grape Juice or Beet Juice
Lavender
- Small Quantity of Purple Grape Juice
- Red Zinger Tea
Orange
- Yellow Onion Skins (boiled)
- Carrots
- Paprika
Pink
- Beets
- Cranberries or Juice
- Raspberries
- Red Grape Juice
- Juice from Pickled Beets
Red
- Lots of Red Onion Skins (boiled)
- Pomegranate juice
- Canned Cherries (with syrup)
- Raspberries
Purple
- Violet Blossoms
- Hibiscus tea
- Small Quantity of Red Onions Skins (boiled)
- Red Wine
