Get back to basics with a great DIY for you and the kids over the Easter weekend! In Europe, coloured hard-boiled eggs have been used for hundreds of years to decorate homes, trees, gardens and given as gifts, and you can do this too by getting the kiddies involved in decorating coloured eggs, simply and naturally.

There are many different ways to colour your eggs (which you will first need to hard boil and let cool completely) naturally.

Check out what you already have in your pantry. Here are some of our ideas: 

Turmeric - gives a beautiful yellow 

Beetroot - a lovely deep pink

Cabbage - a sea blue colour depending on your cabbage type

Onion - a rustic orange

BEFORE YOU GET STARTED

Kids– don't forget to pop on your Marmalade Lion Long-Sleeved Smock to avoid any stains on your nice clothes!

Also, we recommend decorating these Easter Eggs on your ML Splat Mat, which doubles as a handy tablecloth. It will protect your table from veg dye stains and makes it super easy for parents to clean up! Win!!

INGREDIENTS

BEETROOT

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups peeled, grated beets
• 1-2 tablespoons white vinegar

ONION

• 2 cups yellow onion skins
• Enough water to cover skins by 5cm
• 1-2 tablespoons white vinegar

TURMERIC

• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

CABBAGE

• 2 cups shredded purple cabbage (sometimes called red cabbage)
• Enough water to cover cabbage by 5cm
• 1-2 tablespoons vinegar

METHOD

• Hard boil your eggs first and let them cool down completely
• Bring the dye liquid (cabbage, turmeric, etc.) and water to a boil. Turn heat down to low and simmer, covered, for 15-60 minutes until desired colour is reached. 
• Remove the egg dye from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
• Pour the dye through a mesh strainer into bowls and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar for each cup of dye liquid.
• Once you have your hard-boiled eggs, add them slowly into the dye and place them in the fridge until the desired colour is reached

Lastly, decorate with your choice of bits and pieces that you already have in your arts and crafts cupboard, then arrange simply in a bowl for a festive table centrepiece, or even use for your family's Easter Egg hunt!