Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs

I love all food-related things associated with holidays, but dyeing easter eggs is an especially favorite activity for me. This isn't exactly a cooking activity for younger kids, but I think it's close enough to qualify. Like most kids, I grew up using Paas Easter egg dyes. I realize it's a lot easier using dye kits, but I think doing it the natural way is so much more fun, healthy and natural and it's a great way to use some of the spices that have been in the cabinet for a while.

You should have seen our kitchen stove, covered with pots brimming over with all kinds of cool color concoctions. We tried everything from juices, to spices, to frozen berries, to fresh vegetables and more with, what I have to admit, very mixed results! I dreamed of using fresh spinach to turn organic white eggs an emerald green, but instead I got a pale green that was basically undetectable. The turmeric on the other hand was an amazing bright yellow, as golden as the sun.

Once we dyed the eggs, I let Kenya decorate them with stickers and markers. His favorite part, though, was dropping and rolling them on the counter, peeling off the shells and eating them up. So I guess this is a food activity after all!