Easter

Easter Art Ideas:

Last year we removed the centre of eggs and painted them.
This year I'm making a few changes!

Firstly, the paint didn't take to the eggs as good as I hoped, so I have invested in a "PAAS" Egg dye kit. They are quite expensive to buy on Amazon.co.uk, so I ordered one from Amazon.com- even with postage to Ireland it was cheaper!

http://www.amazon.com/PAAS-Friends-Egg-Decorating-Medium/dp/B000F5OWSG

There is also a homemade egg dye method. I will try this- I ordered the set as it comes with egg holders etc that can be used each year.

To make homemade egg dye:

1. For each dye bath combine 1/2 cup boiling water with 1 tsp vinegar and 10 drops of food colouring in a bowl. Start with 5 drops red and 5 drops yellow, for orange for example, or 6 drops blue and 4 drops green for turquoise.
2. Dip hard-cooked eggs in dye bath for 3-5 minutes, extend time for richer color. Try using tongs to dip only half an egg in one color, then dip other half in a different color.
3. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove eggs and place on wax paper to dry, blot any excess with a paper towel.
4. For tie dyed eggs, add 1 tbsp olive oil to the mixture and stir with a fork. Roll egg gently in bath to pick of streaks of color. Remove egg from bath and blot oil off with a paper towel, then dry on wax paper. Once dry, lightly dip in another color if desired.
5. For glitter eggs, brush dried dyed egg with a thin layer of craft glue. Spoon glitter over egg, allow to dry on wax paper. To put glitter on only part of an egg (half blue, half red for example), use masking tape over the un-glittered part (or use stickers for shapes) and once dry remove masking tape and glue/glitter the remaining area.
6. For letters, numbers or shapes use small vinyl stickers (office or hardware supplies) and place them on the egg before dying. Once slightly dry peel off stickers gently. You can also use a white crayon to write names or draw pictures.

If you plan to eat your easter eggs, never leave them unrefrigerated at any point for more than 2 hours.

(http://www.food.com/recipe/easter-eggs-egg-dye-160383)

Shaving Foam Dye:

http://www.craftymorning.com/shaving-cream-dyed-easter-eggs/

To take the centre of the egg out- make a hole on either end, blow through the top hole and the egg will come out the other side.

Alternatively, hard boil the eggs. They can play "Egg Tapping" with them then! 

This is an Easter game popular in central Europe. Players 'tap' their egg with their opponents. The winner has the egg that doesn't crack! 

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_tapping)

Here are some more ideas that I found online!

http://www.2wired2tired.com/10-fun-easter-craft-ideas-for-kids

http://www.craftymorning.com/3d-paper-plate-easter-basket-craft-kids/

http://www.craftymorning.com/easy-fingerprint-cross-activity-kids/

http://www.thoughtsfromalice.com/2014/04/recycled-tp-roll-easter-bunny-and-egg.html

http://www.designmom.com/2013/03/diy-salt-dough-eggs/

http://www.craftymorning.com/mini-popsicle-stick-chick-craft-for-kids/

http://www.parentinghealthybabies.com/51-easter-crafts-for-kids/