Editor's note: the cover photo for this post was originally featured on joyfoodly.com
Looking for some crafts to do with your kids this Easter weekend? Look no further! We have found some unique twists on traditional Easter crafts that are fun and eco-friendly.
1. Use Natural Egg Dyes
Crafting with dye is nerve-wracking. While vegetable dyes won't keep your hands or clothes color-free, they can eliminate any anxiety that you might feel about exposing yourself and your family to mystery chemicals.
There is a great vegetable egg dye tutorial on joyfoodly.com that has simple explanations and beautiful pictures. Each dye solution is made with vinegar, water and a vegetable or spice so it is harmless (though probably extremely gross) if ingested.
The ingredients needed to make vegetable dyes are surprisingly simple and easy to find. According to the tutorial, the following ingredients make the following colors:
How cool is that?
You and your kids can even try mixing certain ingredients to make unique egg colors and shades. Have a contest to see who can come up with the craziest egg colors. Or pick a single color and go crazy!
2. Paint Wooden Eggs
If you would rather save your eggs for eating, consider buying wooden eggs for your children to paint. Some paint brushes and non-toxic craft paint are all that you need to get this project started. Keep finished eggs as treasures for years to come or paint over them with white paint and re-use them next year. Either way, there is much fun to be had!
3. Up-cycle an Easter Basket
If you haven't already purchased an Easter basket for yourself or your kids think about making the rounds at your local thrift stores. Buy baskets that have been gently used and use a little hot glue and ribbon to turn them into customized treasures. Instead of nestling treats in plastic Easter grass, consider shredding an old newspaper or a brown paper grocery bag. Buy a fair-trade chocolate bar or two to complete the package.
4. Give an Easter gift of Ducks, Rabbits or Chicks
Instead of purchasing a chick, bunny or duckling for your kids' baskets consider giving the gift of chicks, rabbits or ducks to a family in need though Heifer International. Not only is does it mean less work for you (we all know who's going to be feeding and cleaning up after those tiny critters), it gives a family in need a way to break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
Heifer International believes that caring for the Earth doesn't have to be difficult. Re-using newspapers instead of buying plastic grass or finding alternative ways to dye your Easter eggs might not seem like much, but even these small things can help the environment. So get to shredding!
