Dyeing eggs can be one of the most exciting parts of the spring—for parents and kids. But store-bought dyes and materials can be costly and aren’t always the safest for little ones to handle. These DIY egg dye recipes, plus a super creative decorating tip, are a great natural alternative to traditional methods and will look far more unique than anything you can get at the store!

Dye Directions:

1. Wear old clothes, and use disposable bowls and old pots, as splatter and spills will cause stains.
2. Place each material in a separate small pot. Cover the cabbage and beets in water in their respective pots, and add 4 cups of water to the others. Stir each.
3. Bring each to a boil on stove, reduce heat to low, and cover for 30 minutes.
4. After the solutions have cooled, strain out any solids, and pour each colored liquid into a separate disposable bowl. Add a small amount (about ⅛ cup) of distilled white vinegar to each bowl, and then dye eggs.

Leaf-laced egg directions:

1. Cut an old pair of nylons into 5-to-6-inch squares. Place a few leaves on a nylon square, followed by an egg. Wrap the nylon tightly around the egg, and tie together the ends with a twist tie. Repeat with all eggs.
2. Submerge eggs in the dye for two hours or more, up to overnight.
3. Remove the eggs from the dye, and carefully place them in egg cartons to drip dry. Carefully remove the eggs from the nylon, and gently lay them on an old towel to dry completely.