Easter is right around the corner, so it’s time to gather up all of your egg dying supplies in anticipation of the arrival of the Easter Bunny.

You don’t need to use harsh, artificial dyes to obtain bright and vibrant colors on your eggs…you can do it the natural way! Natural egg dye is fun and unique, using ingredients such as berries, vegetables and spices. You can create just about any color you want, plus, when you’re finished you can toss your leftover dye in the compost pile!

Ingredients & Tools Needed

• Natural dye material
  • For purple use 2 cups red onion skins and enough water to cover the skins.
  • For yellow use 2 tablespoons of ground turmeric and 2 cups water
  • For red/pink use 2 cups shredded beets and 2 cups hot water
  • For green use 4 cups spinach and water to just cover the leaves
  • For blue use 2 cups chopped purple cabbage and water to just cover the cabbage
• 1 tablespoon vinegar per cup of dye color
• Pots for simmering ingredients
• Mesh strainer
• Small bowls or mason jars
• Hard boiled eggs
• Coconut or Olive Oil (optional for adding luster to eggs)

Directions for Making Dye

• Bring dye matter and water to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15-60 minutes until desired color is reached. Keep in mind that the eggs will be several shades lighter so it’s best to go for deep, rich hues.
• Remove liquid from heat and let cool to room temperature.
• Pour dye through a mesh strainer into bowls/mason jars and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of dye liquid.
• Add hardboiled eggs to dye and place in the refrigerator until desired color is reached (best to let sit overnight).
• If you would like to add a little luster to the egg, rub with a drop or two of Coconut or Olive Oil.