Over the years I’ve experimented with all different ways to dye eggs with the kids here on the homestead. The store bought kits just seemed so boring and very age specific. I wanted my tiny ones to be able to join the fun safely (and without too much of a mess) or my bigger ones to be able to enjoy more of challenge. We have done shaving cream dying, sealed bag dying, even oil and vinegar dying. This year we tried natural egg dying from food scraps!
It was not only a fun coloring and blending experience but also a science experiment! Also, it made their little minds curious and in our home that is always highly encouraged.
It is really easy and you don’t have to go out and buy a bunch of kits or supplies – it’s all already in your kitchen. Re-use and recycle my friends!
Food color guide
Spinach: Green
Red Onion Skins: Red
Yellow Onion Skins: Orange (white eggs), Rusty red (brown eggs)
Purple Cabbage: Blue (white eggs), Green (brown eggs)
Shredded Beets: Pink (white eggs), Maroon (brown eggs)
Coffee Grounds: Tan
*1 cup for all above
Ground turmeric – 2 tbsp: Yellow
Red Zinger tea – 1 bag: Lavender
Equipment Needed:
- Several small bowls (one for each color)
- Sauce pan with lid
- Slotted spoon or strainer
How To Dye Eggs Using Food Scraps:
- Gather your materials and equipment. Per one cup of water for each food item in the quantity for the guide above. Example: 1 cup of water for 1 cup of yellow onion skins.
- Add water to a saucepan and then the food scrap material of color choice, bring that to a boil.
- Then lower the heat and allow to simmer, covered, for roughly 20 minutes.
- Once your dye is darker than what you want to appear on the egg it is ready to come off of the heat.
- Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes.
- Strain your cooled dye into another bowl or spoon out the food scrap.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of oil per 1 cup of strained dye.
- Add boiled egg(s) into the dye and put into the refrigerator for at least 5 hours but recommended overnight.
- Pat dry the eggs the next day!
Tips on successful dying…
Pastel look: one dip
Vibrant colors: more than one dip, allowing the egg to dry between dips.
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar to each 1 cup strained dye
- 4 cups of liquid per dozen eggs
- the older the eggs the better!
Learning to use compost in unconventional ways is creative, experimental and educational for little ones.
I hope that you and the tiny people in your life enjoy this outside the box egg dying experience together.
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Love, light and a little grace..
-Olivia

Olivia Whalen is mama to three young girls who is devoted to creative learning, exploration and free range imagination. Olivia enjoys thinking outside of the box when it comes to preparing homemade baby food or meals for her family. She most enjoys allowing the little minds in her life to flourish and with that you will see her write about creative kid crafts, recipes that fit a family budget and keep everyone asking for more, tips and tricks for a tiny babe, and beginner homesteader fun! Some of her hobbies include gardening, hiking, reading, cooking or just basking in motherhood.