How to Dye Easter Eggs, the Old-Fashioned, Low-Cost Way

One of my fondest memories as a child come Easterchildren unless you don't mind stains.
time was dyeing Easter Eggs with my brother. ISteps for dyeing eggs:
remember the glass cups lined up with different vibrant1. Boil a pot of water (parent only)
hues, our fingers stained with the same colors that2. To each of the cups, add: 8 oz. boiling water (parent
were in the cups. The slight smell of vinegar in the aironly), 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar, and 5-6 drops of
and the warmth of the eggs still bring up happyfood coloring.a. Add more or less color for pastel or
thoughts.vibrant colorb. Mix dye colors together for more colors.
I want to show you how to dye eggs without theFor example, add red and yellow to make orange.
need for overpriced egg kits. And your kids will carryMost boxes have color recipes.
these happy memories for their lives, and maybe pass3. Use crayons to decorate the eggs with names or
the technique on to their kids.faces, if desired. These parts will not take up the color.
What you'll need:o Eggs - hard-boiled. Have at least"We always had at least one egg with our name on it."
one dozen per child.o Egg carton - keep the carton to4. Using a spoon, gently add an egg to a cup of dye.
hold the dyed eggs.o Food coloring - I like the littleIt's best to only have one egg per cup at a time.
boxes with 4 colors.o Crayons - used to decorate5. Leave it in until you get the desired color. Check it by
eggs before dyeing. White crayon works well.o Paperlifting it part way out with the spoon.
towels - these work best since there is dye involved.o6. Once you're happy with the color, place the egg in
Small cups - one per color; they should hold at least 8the empty egg carton.
oz. of liquid. Be sure they can hold hot liquids.o Metal7. Refrigerate eggs. These eggs are safe to eat, even
spoons - these won't soak up the dye; preferablythough sometimes the color bleeds through to the
slotted.o Aprons - best to use if you have smallwhite of the egg.