Eggcellent Idea: Creative Alternatives for Easter Egg Decorating
Here are some creative ideas for Easter egg decorating!
As Easter approaches, many families are looking forward to traditional festivities. Visits to the Easter bunny, creating and decorating baskets and spending time with loved ones are all wonderful things to look forward to. However, a centuries-old tradition may look a bit different this year: egg decorating.
Psst… Check Out 20 Places for Easter Bunny Photos in and Around New York 2025
As the price of eggs continues to fluctuate during the ongoing bird flu crisis, many families are finding themselves struggling to afford them. Thankfully, we’ve come up with some fun, easy and most importantly, affordable alternatives to egg decorating.
The History of Easter Egg Decorating
Easter egg decorating dates back to the 13th century. According to History.com, Easter eggs are linked to pagan traditions. Eggs have long served as a symbol of new life, and from a Christian perspective, eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. There are many theories as to why eggs were chosen as the symbol of Easter; some theorize that it was due to them once being forbidden during Lent, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.
Other sources believe that eggs represent fertility, rebirth, and life. Research conducted by the Library of Congress found that the art of decorating eggshells has also been traced back to South Africa. Archaeologists found decorated ostrich eggs in layers dating from 65,000 to 55,000 years ago, with simple carvings on them.
Despite its origins, Easter eggs have been adopted almost everywhere globally, from England’s King Edward I ordering 450 eggs to be colored or covered with gold leaf to be given to the royal relatives and entourage, to the annual White House Egg Roll, a decades-long tradition of children pushing decorated eggs down the White House lawn.
Easter Egg Alternatives
If you’re feeling the squeeze this year due to the price of eggs or simply want to switch things up, here are three ideas for Easter egg decorating alternatives.
Cake Pops
Cake pops are a great alternative to eggs when it comes to color and creativity. If your little one loves to be hands-on, you can bake a cake from scratch (or use box mix!) and make the cake as colorful as you’d like using various food dyes. After the cake is baked, simply mix it with frosting to create a dough-like texture and then it’s time to get sticky! Using your hands or an egg-shaped mold, create egg-shaped cake pops perfect for decorating and a yummy Easter treat.
Sugar Cookies
Sugar cookies are a great alternative for dying real eggs because they are fun to decorate and also edible at the end! You can do a traditional sugar cookie by creating a dough from scratch, rolling it out, and using shaped cookie cutters to achieve the perfect egg shape. Using royal icing and sprinkles, decorate your eggs to your heart’s content and fill your bellies with them once they’re fully cooled!
Rice Crispy Treats
A simple yet fun and sticky way to add some joy to the holiday, you can create your own egg-shaped rice crispy treats! Simply grab your favorite brand of rice crispy cereal, melt down some yummy marshmallows (bonus points if they’re colorful), and smoosh them together for the ultimate molding and shaping fun! Decorate with candy or frosting or simply enjoy them as is!
Psst… Check Out Easter Basket Essentials for All Budgets
