First, you need to start with "THE PERFECT HARDBOILED EGG". Boiling the perfect egg isn't difficult -- just place a dozen eggs in a single layer, without crowding, in a 2- or 3-quart saucepan. Add water to cover by 2 inches and then add 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes (cooking the eggs at a low simmer will make them easier to peel and help prevent cracks).

Immediately remove the eggs from the hot water and plunge them into a basin of very cold water to cool down, or rinse under cold running water for about 5 minutes (cooling them immediately after cooking will help eliminate the unattractive grayish green circle that can form around the yolk). To peel, roll the large end of the egg on a countertop to crack the shell. Hold the egg under cold running water, and peel away the shell. Store unpeeled hard-boiled eggs in the refrigerator until ready to use. Decorate them in any of the ways listed below... or come up with some ideas of your own!

1. A Kit:

When we were young PAAS was the only way to go. Now you can purchase many different kits with stickers, holders etc.

2. Liquid Food Coloring Dye:

Combine 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon of food coloring with 2 tsp. vinegar in a cup that is deep enough for the eggs. Add water to about the half way point. Gently place the eggs into the cups. Use a soup spoon to place eggs in the cups, to avoid cracking. The longer they are left in the dye, the darker the color shade. Experiment with different combinations of colors When you remove the egg from the dye, pat dry with a paper towel and place in a holder.

3. Paste Food Coloring Dye:

To make each dye bath, stir together 1/8 teaspoon paste food coloring and 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar in a small bowl or nonporous coffee cup. Add 1 cup of boiling water and stir to dissolve the food coloring fully. Add 1 egg to each dye bath. A hard-boiled egg will sink to the bottom. A blown egg will float at first, but as you gently press it into the dye bath with a spoon, it will take on liquid and begin to sink. Allow the egg to sit in the dye bath for about 10 minutes for the most intense color. Remove the egg (drain any liquid inside the egg back into the dye bath). Repeat this process with the remaining eggs. Allow to dry completely before decorating.

4. Natural Dye:

Use the color chart below to create all natural dyes. Combine the dye with 1/2 Tablespoon of vinegar with some cold water in a saucepan. Add raw eggs (make sure there's enough water to cover the eggs) and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. The longer you simmer, the darker the color will be, but simmer at least 8 minutes so that the eggs cook thoroughly.

Color chart:

Brown - tea or coffee
Yellow - turmeric or saffron
Red - cranberries
Pink - raspberries
Purple - beets, purple onion skin
Golden Orange - yellow onion skin
Green - spinach
Blue - blueberries
Blue-Green - red cabbage
Mauve - grape juice
Buff - walnut shells

5. Another Natural Dye:

This will create a beautiful marbled effect. Wrap the uncooked eggs in onion skins (both white and purple), spinach, or fresh saffron. Use white string to secure the wrap and then place the eggs in the foot of an old nylon stocking. Tie a knot and boil the whole shebang, using the cooking times above -- and don't forget the vinegar. Leave the eggs in the wrap for awhile. When you untie them they will all look different.

6. Painted Eggs:

Use undiluted food coloring and a paint brush to paint on hard boiled eggs (see color chart below for mixed colors). Let the eggs sit in egg cups until dry. You can also use acrylic paints in place of food coloring. Do NOT eat eggs that have been painted!

Color Chart:

Lime - 24 yellow, 4 green
Purple - 15 blue, 5 red
Cantaloupe - 24 yellow, 2 red
Jade - 17 green, 3 blue
Plum - 10 red, 4 blue
Spearmint - 12 green, 6 yellow, 2 blue
Raspberry - 14 red, 6 blue
Maize - 24 yellow, 1 red
Watermelon - 25 red, 2 blue
Teal - 15 green, 5 blue
Grape - 17 blue, 3 red
Fuchsia - 18 red, 2 blue
Orange Sunset - 17 yellow, 3 red
Jungle Green - 14 green, 6 yellow

7. Sponge Painted Eggs:

Place hard boiled or blown eggs in egg cups. Cut a sponge into small pieces (natural sponge works best for this - you can find them at craft stores or a paint supply store). Pour some acrylic paint into a shallow dish or onto wax paper. Clip the sponge pieces onto clothes pins, one for each color of paint. Dip the sponge into the paint and dab the egg with it. Start with your darker colors first for the best effect. If using blown eggs, spray with acrylic spray for a permanent finish. Do NOT eat eggs that have been painted!

8. Fingerpainted Eggs:

Put a few colors of tempura paint on a paper plate. Hold the egg in the ends with your thumb and finger so you can rotate it while you're stamping. Dip your finger in the paint, dab off the excess on a paper towel, then gently press your finger onto the egg. Do NOT eat eggs that have been painted!

9. Blown Eggs:

For "decorative purposes only" eggs you may want to try blown eggs. To do this, first pierce the fat end of a raw egg with a large needle, such as a quilting needle. Wiggle the needle to create a slightly larger hole. Pierce a hole in the opposite end of the egg. Insert the needle to pierce the yolk; this makes it easier to remove the egg. Blow out the contents of the egg into a large bowl or use a baby's nose aspirator to "blow" the contents out. When the egg is empty, run water into the eggshell, shake it to rinse the insides well, and pour it out.

10. Crayon Resist Eggs:

Color on the Easter eggs before placing in the dye (simple dots, lines shapes swirls, etc...). The wax will resist the dye and your picture will show through. If you are dying Easter eggs with little ones and do not want to use dye, the children can simply color the eggs with crayons and leave it at that.

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30+ Easter Egg Decorating Ideas Decorating Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes, Paints, Collage, Batik, Stickers, Stamps, Etching, Decoupage, Confetti and many more creative ideas!

30+ Easter Egg Decorating Ideas
Decorating Easter Eggs with Natural Dyes, Paints, Collage, Batik, Stickers, Stamps, Etching, Decoupage, Confetti and many more creative ideas!