Easter Egg Designs: 25 Easter Egg Decorating Ideas

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 21.03.2024

Easter is just around the corner and of course, there is one thing that cannot be missing: colourful Easter eggs! This centuries-old tradition is not only a fun activity for the whole family but also a creative way to enhance Easter preparations and create shared memories. We are going to show you the best tips and tricks on how you can paint and decorate Easter eggs yourself and take them to a new, creative level. We’ll show you fun techniques using napkins, wax, or even lemon juice to create unique patterns and designs – be creative! You only need eggs, food colouring, brushes, and possibly additional decorations such as feathers, yarn, flash tattoos, or stamps to decorate your Easter eggs and create individual works of art. The following tips and techniques will guarantee you to be the star during this year’s Easter breakfast.

Table of Contents:

Basic tips: Preparing Easter eggs, colours and materials

First, we have a few basic tips and tricks for you on how to best prepare your unpainted eggs. This will ensure that  you can get the most impressive results out of your Easter egg designs.

  • When you’re in the supermarket picking up the eggs, make sure to choose eggs with smooth shells. This will make the colour adhere better and dyeing easier.
  • If possible, opt for eggs with white shells, as the colours will pop more and will have a shinier finish.
  • Before hard-boiling or blowing out the eggs, rub them with a water and vinegar mixture to remove any grease residues from the surface. This will ensure that the colour sticks better.
  • When boiling the eggs to dye them later, it is best to skip the ice bath after! This can cause the eggs to crack and go bad faster.
  • Only use old plates and pots, because the colours can permanently and unintentionally “decorate” your dishes too.
  • For a shiny finish, polish the egg with a little cooking oil after it is dyed and dried.

Painting Easter Eggs: The paint you can use

Depending on whether you want to hollow out your eggs and use them as decoration or cook and eat them later, you have different options for painting and dyeing your Easter eggs. For hollow eggs, you can use the following:

  • Watercolours
  • Acrylic paints
  • Marbling paints
  • Felt-tip pens
  • Nail polish
  • Finger paints
  • Wax crayons
  • Stamp ink
  • Spray paint

However, if you intend to eat your Easter decorations later, there are a few things you have to consider. Avoid the above-mentioned colouring agents on hard-boiled Easter eggs and instead only use:

  • Natural dye from fruit and vegetables (e.g. beets, berries, or onion skins)
  • Natural food colouring

Decorating Easter Eggs: Special Effects with Unusual Materials

For unique effects on your hollow eggs, you can use unconventional materials such as wax techniques, masking tape, and nail polish. There are endless possibilities to design your Easter eggs in a creative and original way. You can experiment with different techniques and materials for an amazing personalised result.

12 ideas for designing & decorating boiled eggs

In order for you to be able to eat your artsy Easter eggs without any concerns, we have listed the best options for safe Easter egg painting and decorating.

1. The Classic: Dyeing Easter Eggs with Food Colouring

First we want to introduce you to the most basic way to dye eggs – many of us still remember this method from childhood: food colouring!

  1. Dissolve the food colouring in boiling water.
  2. Place the eggs in the water (the duration can be found in the manufacturer’s manual)
  3. Remove them and let them dry.
  4. Done!
Use food colouring to let your Easter eggs shine in vibrant colours ©Adobe Stock
Use heavy pigmented fruits and vegetables to dye your Easter eggs in a natural way ©Adobe Stock

2. Dyeing Easter Eggs with Natural Colors

If you don’t want to use synthetic dye, there are various colours that can be achieved through the natural dye of fruit and vegetables. Although they may not be as shiny as their synthetic counterparts, the result will still be pretty. You can, for example, dye the eggs with these foods:

    • Red: beetroot or red onion
    • Orange: carrots
    • Blue: blueberries or red cabbage
    • Green: spinach or nettle
    • Yellow: turmeric

And this is how it’s done:

  1. Use 1 litre of water to boil the chopped ingredients until you are left with a dye stock (approximately 30 – 40 minutes).
  2. Use a sieve to filter out the chunks.
  3. Place the eggs in the stock.
  4. After 15 minutes, take out the eggs and admire their new colour.

3. Lemon Juice: Avoiding Dye in Specific Areas

For pretty patterns, lines, or personal messages on the eggs, you can use lemon juice – areas painted with lemon juice will not absorb dye.

  1. Dip a cotton swab in lemon juice.
  2. Carefully paint the desired pattern with the lemon juice.
  3. CAUTION: Do not use too much juice!
  4. Let the lemon juice dry and then place the eggs in the dye, following the technique mentioned above.
  5. Remove the eggs and let them dry.
Cool patterns on your Easter eggs with lemon juice - try it yourself! ©Adobe Stock
Liquid wax is also a great way to create splashy patterns ©Adobe Stock

4. Liquid Wax: The alternative to Lemon Juice

If you don’t have a lemon at home but still want your eggs to have fun patterns then we have the perfect solution for you. You can also use dripping wax from a candle to create beautiful patterns on your egg! Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Long candle
    • Lighter
    • Alternatively, toothpick/cotton swab

And here’s how it’s done:

  1. Light the candle; once the wax starts dripping, it’s ready.
  2. For a dotted pattern, let the hot wax drip onto the egg.
  3. Alternatively, you can also heat the wax and then use a toothpick or cotton swab to hand paint the patterns on the egg.
  4. Let the wax cool.
  5. Put the eggs in the dye.
  6. Remove them and let them dry.
  7. Blow-dry the Easter egg and gently scrape off the wax.

5. Create Unique designs using stencils

By using items like flowers or leaves as stencils, you’ll succeed in creating unique Easter egg designs. Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Small flower or leaf (e.g. ivy) or onion skin for a marbled effect
    • Old nylon stocking
    • A ribbon

Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Wet the egg slightly and position the leaf on the egg as desired. If you want a marbled effect, tightly wrap onion skin around the egg.
  2. Place the egg in the nylon stocking and tightly tie it with a ribbon – the nylon should be as tight as possible to prevent the leaf from moving.
  3. Submerge the stocking with the egg in the dye stock (for approximately 30 – 60 minutes).
  4. Remove the egg from the stocking and take the leaf off, then dry the egg. Done!
Using leaves and tights to dye Easter egg? It works and achieves pretty, unique designs! ©Adobe Stock

6. Creating Dot Patterns with Bubble Wrap

Do you have bubble wrap lying around at home? Then you can use it to paint a cute dot pattern on your Easter eggs with little effort.

  1. Dip the bubble wrap in food colouring (you can also mix different colours).
  2. Place the egg on the bubble wrap and gently roll it over the colour.
  3. Done!
Put on your gloves and create elegant marble patterns on your Easter eggs ©Adobe Stock

7. Creating Marble Patterns by Hand or with Onion Skins

This technique is also a classic from childhood. Marbleizing creates beautiful, unique patterns on the eggs. To marbleize with disposable gloves, follow these steps:

  1. Dye the eggs in a light colour.
  2. Let them dry.
  3. Put on disposable gloves.
  4. Mix different colours (ideally darker than the first colour).
  5. Drip the colours onto the gloves.
  6. Roll the eggs in your hands to distribute the colour.
  7. Let dry.

To marbleize with onion skins, simply use the same method explained in Tip 5.

8. A Feather Coat for Easter Eggs

This technique is exceptionally simple. However, you’ll need glue and feathers from the craft store.

  1. Coat the Easter eggs (dyed or natural) with glue.
  2. Press the feathers onto the glue.
  3. Let dry.

9. Temporary and Flash Tattoos

Tattoos don’t only look good on the body but they can also be used to pimp up your Easter eggs. You can use temporary or flash tattoos. Here’s how:

  1. Place the tattoo on an Easter egg (dyed or natural) and hold it firmly.
  2. Press a damp kitchen towel onto the tattoo for a few minutes.
  3. Remove the kitchen towel and peel off the remaining paper.
  4. Let dry.
A new use for the flash tattoos left from your teenage years ©Adobe Stock
These fluffy Easter eggs are a real eye-catcher ©Adobe Stock

10. Wool and Yarn: Easter Eggs in a Knitted Coat

This is a technique to create a truly extraordinary look. All you need is wool or yarn.

  1. Attach a thick piece of yarn to the bottom of the Easter egg using glue or a hot glue gun.
  2. Coat the entire egg with glue.
  3. Wrap the yarn around the egg – from the bottom to the top.
  4. Ensure that the yarn completely covers the egg so that the shell is no longer visible.
  5. Gently press-on the yarn.
  6. Once you reach the top, cut the yarn off and glue it down.

11. Creative Patterns with Tape

If you have little time for painting Easter eggs but still want to create something unique, you can use tape to decorate it. You’ll need:

    • Pre-dyed eggs (for quickness)
    • Tape in various colours/patterns
    • Zigzag scissors

Here’s what you do:

  1. Cut the tape to the desired length.
  2. Stick the tape to the edge of the table. 
  3. Then cut it into small strips with the zigzag scissors.
  4. Stick the small strips onto the egg as you like.
Even with just a little colorful tape, your Easter eggs become an absolute highlight ©Adobe Stock.
All you need is a bit of sensitivity - let your artistic side run wild ©Adobe Stock.

12. Engraving Patterns

You can easily engrave patterns into your dyed eggs with the sharp blade of a knife. Make sure to use eggs with thick shells and follow these steps:

  1. Dye the egg with bold colours (here it’s best to use food colouring).
  2. Once the dye is completely dry, carefully carve various patterns or designs into the eggs with the tip of the knife.

13 (more) ideas for designing & decorating hollow eggs

When working with hollow eggs, you can use every technique imaginable, since these eggs are no longer used as food. This means that you can use all the above-mentioned techniques for hard-boiled eggs on the hollow eggs as well – plus various additional Easter egg decorating ideas that we listed here. However, since they are hollow they are more prone to break, so you will have to be a bit more careful when decorating. Here’s how to make hollow eggs:

  1. Clean the egg with vinegar water or dish soap to remove any grease.
  2. Carefully prick it at the top and bottom with a toothpick or needle.
  3. Enlarge one of the holes carefully and pierce the yolk.
  4. Gently blow into the smaller of the two holes and empty the egg over a bowl (you can still use the inside of the egg for cooking or baking later).
  5. Clean the interior of the egg by soaking it in soapy water and allowing it to fill up several times.
  6. Let the egg dry completely.

Now you can start decorating your Easter egg!

STUWO Tip: Secure the hollow egg on a wooden stick to make decorating easier!

13. Patterns using Watercolor

With watercolour, you can easily make your eggs shine in gentle pastel hues and create delicate patterns on them. You’ll need:

    • Watercolour
    • Glass of water
    • Paintbrush

And here’s the guide:

  1. Wet the brush and choose your watercolour. The lighter you want the colour, the more water you need to use.
  2. Paint the egg as you like.
  3. Place the egg down and let it dry.
Gentle, aesthetic patterns reminiscent of breaking waves at the sea ©Adobe Stock.
If you want it to be really vibrant and colorful, then acrylic paints are the perfect tool for you ©Adobe Stock.

14. Patterns and Shapes with Acrylic Paint

You can unleash your creativity on your Easter egg designs with patterns and shapes using Acrylic paint. Depending on your preference, you can either dye your eggs beforehand or leave them in their natural state. You’ll need:

    • Acrylic paint of your choice
    • Fine brush

Here’s how:

  1. Put paint on the brush and paint dots or stripes on the egg.
  2. Spread them evenly over the entire egg.
  3. Let it dry.

15. Easter Egg in Chalkboard Style with Chalkboard Paint and Chalk

Give your Easter egg a unique look by decorating it with chalkboard paint and chalk. This way, you can easily write or decorate your Easter eggs in a cool way:

  1. Brush the egg with chalkboard paint.
  2. Let it dry thoroughly.
  3. Now you can use chalk to write on the egg or decorate it with patterns.
This is how you can personalize your Easter eggs with short, sweet messages ©Adobe Stock.

16. Abstract Art on Easter Eggs using Wax Crayons

Instead of using candle wax, you can also simply use wax crayons to decorate hollow eggs. This gives you more options in  terms of colour and allows you to create colourful, abstract art on your Easter egg. You’ll need:

    • Beeswax crayons
    • Candle and lighter

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Light the candle and remove the paper from the crayon.
  2. Hold the tip of the crayon above the flame of the candle at a slight distance. When the crayon starts to melt, it’s soft enough.
  3. Now you can use the crayon to draw dots, lines, or whatever you like on the egg.
  4. Let it dry.

STUWO Tip: If you colour the entire egg with wax you can then hold it above the candle once more  – this will create beautiful colour blends and a marbled pattern.

Make your Easter eggs come to life! ©Adobe Stock

17. Easter Eggs with Faces

Easter eggs with “clothing” and faces are easy to make and are not only popular with children. Get creative and try recreating family-members or well-known personalities! You’ll need:

    • Marker/paintbrush and paint
    • Coloured paper for the hair

Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Dip the bottom half of the Easter egg in paint.
  2. Blue works particularly well for creating a “jeans look.”
  3. Remove and let it dry.
  4. Now, use a marker or fine paintbrush to draw faces and other elements.
  5. Make the hair by cutting coloured paper into fine strips and sticking them onto the egg.

18. Napkin Designs on Easter Eggs

With this technique, you can give your Easter egg  interesting textures and depths by simply using napkins with printed designs. Here’s how:

  1. Cut out napkin designs.
  2. Attach them to the natural or dyed egg with glue or adhesive.
  3. Gently press them down.
  4. Let them dry.
Find a new use for the decorative napkins you have lying around at home! ©Adobe Stock.
Perfect for repurposing the old nail polishes you no longer use! ©Adobe Stock

19. Nail Polish

Do you have any nail polish that you no longer like lying around at home? For this technique, you can put it to good use again, as it’s perfect for achieving a glossy DIY-look. It’s best to start with a light layer.

  1. Paint the natural or dyed egg with nail polish.
  2. Let it dry.

20. Stamps

If you don’t have a lot of time to spare you can swiftly decorate your Easter eggs with stamps. This method is super easy and effortless, all you have to do is: 

  1. Press the design stamp into an ink pad.
  2. Gently press it onto the egg with a rolling motion.
  3. Let it dry.
Simple and completely mess-free - with stamps, you can create cute Easter egg designs ©Adobe Stock
Perfect for those of you who prefer simple and minimalist styles! ©Adobe Stock

21. Easter Eggs with Pebble Look

If you prefer a more minimalistic approach and need a break from all the colours, giving your eggs a pebble look makeover is just the thing for you. All you need is stone spray:

  1. Spray your egg as much as you like with stone spray.
  2. Let it dry.

And you’re done!

22. Hole Pattern 

With this technique you can give your egg a country-style look. Although it requires a bit more precision, you can create beautiful and extraordinary Easter eggs. You’ll need:

    • Pencil
    • Dremel with diamond-tipped cutter
    • Optional: small ribbons

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Use a soft pencil to draw straight lines on the egg that should serve as a guide to better position the holes.
  2. Now you can start drilling patterns into the egg – for flower patterns, drill a hole in the centre and five more circular ones around it.
  3. Then, place the finished egg in water and sanitizer overnight – this helps to remove any shell remnants from the holes.
  4. If you like, you can also attach small ribbons to the top of the egg for the final touch.
Sensitivity is important here, but if you master it, you'll have the most unique Easter eggs guaranteed ©Adobe Stock
Nothing better than cute Easter chicks on the breakfast table ©Adobe Stock

23. Easter Egg Chicks

Chicks are simply a must for Easter decorations. You can easily make cute chick-themed decorations with your eggs. You’ll need:

    • Yellow feathers or cotton balls
    • Craft paper
    • Glue

Here’s the guide:

  1. Dye the Easter egg yellow.
  2. Remove from the dye and let it dry.
  3. Glue yellow feathers or cotton balls to the top of the egg.
  4. Cut out a beak and eyes from thick craft paper.
  5. Carefully attach with glue.
  6. Let it dry.

24. Glittery Eggs with Glitter Paint

Who doesn’t love glitter? These Easter eggs will surely attract a lot of attention. You’ll need:

    • Glitter paint
    • Paintbrush

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Apply the glitter paint either directly onto the egg or on a paintbrush first.
  2. Coat the entire Easter egg with it.
  3. Let it dry.
Perfect for everyone who also believes that glitter simply makes everything better! ©Adobe Stock
Perfect for those who are very extravagant ©Adobe Stock

25. Scale Look with Sequins

If you want to make your Easter eggs even more extravagant, you can decorate them with sequins. They shimmer like little disco balls and will definitely be the highlight of your Easter decorations. You’ll need:

    • Sequins
    • Sequin glue/adhesive
    • Paintbrush

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Apply the glue from top to bottom, gradually.
  2. Now,  stick each sequin on individually – either side by side or so that they are slightly overlapping – until the entire egg is covered.
  3. Let it dry.

Conclusion: Endless creativity with designing Easter eggs

By using napkin designs, stencils, wax techniques, and many other unconventional materials, you can achieve unique effects on your Easter eggs. You are able to create true works of art! But it’s not only impressive how many different techniques there are to create your Easter decorations, but also all the different materials you can use to paint your eggs. From watercolour to acrylic paint, to nail polish and wax crayons, there are endless options for you to use to decorate and design your Easter eggs.

Note that our tips are intended to serve as a guide and inspiration only – feel free to unleash your creativity and work with your own ideas and materials. Let your imagination run wild and create unique masterpieces that are individual to you!

The STUWO Team wishes you a happy Easter!

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