If you're looking for a creative indoor activity for the family this holiday season, why not try decorating Easter eggs in a sustainable and fun way?
At Teros, we're passionate about finding ways to make every celebration more sustainable. When thinking about what makes an earth-friendly Easter, I couldn’t help but reflect on the Easter traditions of my childhood — especially how my family would decorate eggs in the Polish tradition of making pisanki. Over time, we've learned that the “old-fashioned” way of doing things is often kinder to the planet, and the art of pisanki is definitely old-fashioned, having been around for over 1,000 years. This guide will simplify making pisanki, and show you how to decorate your own Easter eggs in a fun, eco-friendly activity for all ages and skill levels. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you get started, here’s what you’ll need:
- Eggs (light coloured eggs work best for natural dyes)
- Natural Dyes (check out our Egg Dye Kit or make your own)
- Beeswax crayons and candles
- Newspaper (to keep your craft area clean)
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Pot (for boiling eggs)
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Bowls (for dyeing eggs)
- Small Stickers or Rubber Bands (for creating patterns -optional)
Step 2: Preparation
Boil Your Eggs: My failsafe method for hard-boiling eggs is simple: place the eggs in a pot with cold water, ensuring they’re covered by at least 3 cm of water. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, cook for an additional 12 minutes. Remove from the pot and let them cool for 5 minutes at room temperature. Afterward, pop them in the fridge to cool fully for a few hours.
Set Up Your Craft Area: Lay newspaper on your table or countertop to protect the surface from spills and wax. Gather all your supplies and set up your bowls with different dye colors.
Step 3: Get Creative!
Gently draw on your eggs with wax crayons (for a colored design) or a thin beeswax candle (for a design that shows the natural color of the egg). Feel free to get creative! You can use stickers, rubber bands, or other materials to create interesting patterns.
Tip: If you’re doing this craft with older kids or want to add more detail to your eggs, light the beeswax candle to melt it. Then, using a fine paintbrush or toothpick, dip into the melted wax to create intricate designs.
Step 4: Time to Dye
Once your eggs are decorated, they’re ready for dyeing! Place them in the dye of your choice and let them sit for 5-20 minutes, depending on how vibrant you want the color to be. Allow them to dry for a few minutes.
Tip: Try experimenting with different colors! You can dip-dye half the egg in one color, or if you’re feeling adventurous, add another layer of wax after dyeing and dye again in a different color for a multi-colored effect. (This works best if the second dye is darker than the first.)
Step 5: Reveal Your Beautiful Designs
Remove any stickers or rubber bands from your eggs. If you used melted wax, gently wipe it off with an old tea towel or paper towel. Admire your beautiful new creations — well done!
What Can You Do with These Eggs?
Don’t let them go to waste – eggs are expensive! If the eggs have spent less than 2 hours outside the fridge during the decorating and dyeing process, the FDA says they’re safe to eat. Just pop them back in the fridge, and they’ll keep for up to a week.
Or have a fun, family game of egg fighting like I did as a kid to see whose egg will come out on top!
I hope this guide inspires you to get crafty this holiday season. Have a wonderful Easter -and happy decorating!