Spring has sprung, and that means eggs and bunnies are everywhere! We’ve got some great Easter crafts that both adults and kids alike will love to create!
The Egg and I
Did you know that coloring eggs at Easter first began in the 13th century? Some believe that because eggs were forbidden during the season of Lent, they were colored and decorated to be enjoyed after the period of penance and fasting. Others believe that the egg is a representation of Jesus’ emergence from the tomb. Still others believe the Easter activity pre-dates Christianity as a pagan symbol as a celebration of Spring.
Whatever the history, it’s become a fun family tradition for hundreds of years. At our house we’ve tried literally dozens of novel decorating techniques {notably, some more fun and successful than others}.
Probably the most popular technique is color-dying the hard boiled egg {HBE}. This can be easily achieved by purchasing the kit at the store {or Amazon} and dropping the HBE into the colored solution. You can mix and match colors, add writing, stickers, etc. You can also make your own color-dye eggs by using natural ingredients such as beets, onion skins or spices. Last year {during our 3rd week of COVID quarantine} we attempted dying our HBE’s using the silk scarf technique; no joke, it was more fun for me than it was for the impatient tween. The {probably} more fun way to color HBE’s {especially with littles} is with the magic-marker egg spinner kits. These marker kits are fast, easy and a lot less-messy.
If you have older kids, artistic kids or extremely patient kids; my favorite egg decorating technique is emptying out the contents of the egg before coloring it {obviously this is using a raw egg vs. an HBE}. Not only are they reusable, they’re also great for decorating!
For the busy mom; brown eggs, a permanent marker, a few felt strips, a few cotton balls and a glue stick will also work in a pinch! No pressure or judgement here, just have fun!
The Bunny Hop
No one really knows why the bunny is such a popular Easter symbol either. Some say it’s because rabbits are known to…well…multiply; that makes for good symbolism with rebirth, fertility and new life. Others believe it stems from a German folktale of a colored-egg laying hare, fondly known as ‘Osterhase’. For our family {and as a kid who was actually born on Easter Sunday}, it’s all about Peter Cottontail!
There are literally hundreds of crafting ideas for making bunnies. I’ve mentioned just a few that are quick, easy and collectible {if you’re into that}. I love all things made from kids’ handprints and/or footprints. These quick and easy handprint bunnies are super fun for littles.
Follow this link to find dozens of quick and simple Easter crafts utilizing paper plates, glue sticks, construction paper and washable markers.
Slimetastic
Believe it or not, making slime at home can be easy, fun and educational! For the parents with creative kids, curious kids and kids that love all things science; I promise, this Easter activity will be a big hit!
Although slime gets a bad rap in most households, it is a most unique substance. Not quite a liquid and not quite a solid, it’s the perfect gooey substance that all kids love to mix, make and squeeze {in chemistry vernacular, we refer to these substances as non-Newtonian Fluids}. It’s also the perfect science experiment which demonstrates a totally safe (and relatively instant) chemical reaction. Slime is made from several normal household products:: glue, baking soda and borax {you can also use contact solution or shaving cream}. Upon mixture, the ions of each ingredient interact to create this strangely unique polymeric substance. This link contains a host of different Easter slime recipes, activities and more. Just remember, your homemade slime should not be runny, sticky or messy. If you follow the recipe it should feel slimy, but leave no residue; keep mixing it in the bowl until it reaches this consistency.
Easter crafts are a fun way to kick off our entrance into the Spring season. It’s a fun time for families to connect, enjoy the warmer weather, celebrate family and reflect on all things to be thankful for. Whatever your family traditions are at Easter, take time to enjoy them.
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