And you don’t have to rely on store-bought kits to get colorful Easter egg perfection. With a few key tips and tricks (i.e., let your hard boiled eggs cool before you dye them), you can ensure an Insta-worthy finish every time. For parents with small kids (or other people who don’t have the patience to wait for the dip dye), consider some other creative Easter egg decorating ideas, many of which don’t require a drop of dye.

What You Need to Dye Easter Eggs

Hard boiled eggs (here’s how to cook hard boiled eggs perfectly) Paper towel or newspaper Bowl or cup deep enough to completely submerge an egg Tongs, egg dipper, or slotted spoon ½ cup boiling water 1 teaspoon white vinegar Liquid food coloring (about 20 drops per color)

How to Dye Eggs

  1. Protect your surface by covering with a sheet of newspaper or paper towel.
  2. Use cool hard boiled eggs.
  3. Fill container with enough water to cover the egg, one teaspoon of white vinegar, and about 20 drops of food coloring. The more food coloring you add, the darker the color of the egg will be.
  4. To create unique patterns on the eggs, use rubber bands, wax, crayons, or waterproof tape to mark off stripes or designs where you don’t want the dye to hit.
  5. Place your egg on a slotted or regular spoon and dunk, turning occasionally so both sides get color. Keep your dyed egg in the liquid for up to 5 minutes. The longer you leave your egg in the dye bath, the more vivid the color will be. You can also dip only part of the egg in one color, then switch to another color to create a multi-colored effect.
  6. Carefully remove the egg and set it aside to dry. Once the eggs are dry, you can apply stickers, washi tape, gold leaf, or other decorative elements to finish off the look. Note: If you’d prefer to use all-natural Easter egg dyes, you probably have everything you already need in your spice rack and refrigerator to make the magic happen.