How to Dye Eggs

Dyeing eggs can be a fun activity for children especially around Easter. While our ancestors used dyes made from coffee, tea, roots and fruits, nowadays a far simpler method is used--food coloring.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Apron
• Newspaper or old towels
• 8 to 12 hardboiled eggs
• Large saucepan
• Food coloring
• Vinegar
• Cups
• Spoon

1. Food coloring can stain fabric, unfinished wood, laminate countertops and other porous surfaces. Lay out a thick layer of newspapers or old towels to protect your work area, and also wear an apron.

2. Place 8 to 12 large eggs in a saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them completely. Boil the eggs on the stove over medium heat for 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on the eggs as they boil and if the shells start to crack, remove them from the stove immediately.

3. Allow the eggs to cool completely and dry them with a soft cloth. If you dye eggs that are wet, the color may turn out splotchy and uneven. For best results, dry them first.

4. Place 1 tsp of food coloring, 2 tsp of vinegar and ½ cup of water in a cup.

5. Place an egg in the dye and allow it to remain for at least 2 minutes. Use a spoon to insert the egg carefully into the dye to avoid cracking the shell. The longer you allow the egg to remain in the dye, the darker the color will be.

6. Remove the egg from the dye using a spoon, and allow it to dry before handling it.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, allow the eggs to rest in an egg holder until they dry to avoid rubbing the color away.
• Polish dyed eggs with a soft cloth and a few drops of vegetable oil to make them shine.
• Store dyed eggs in the refrigerator to prevent them from spoiling.
• For pastel colored eggs, reduce the dyeing time by 1 minute.
• You can also decorate the dyed eggs (see Addition Resources).

Resources

• Decorating Dyed Eggs
• The History of Dyeing Eggs