Paola Minekov

ARTIST PORTOLIO

Motherhood

Easter Egg Crafting with Kids

19 April 2025

Easter is this delightful time of year when London traditionally hosts The Big Egg Hunt (I was part of the first one back in 2012), the world bursts into bloom, and children’s faces light up with the promise of chocolate eggs and fluffy bunnies...

But wait!

Before you rush off to the nearest supermarket to stock up on sugary treats, let’s take a moment to explore a different kind of Easter celebration—one that’s filled with creativity, laughter, and a touch of cultural confusion.

As a self-proclaimed “crunchy mum,” who comes from Bulgaria where the Easter Bunny was never part of Easter when I was growing up and where we dye our eggs in bright happy colours, I’ve decided to ditch the ever-so-popular chocolate eggs in favour of something a tad more nutritious: boiled eggs!

Yes, you heard me right.

My children decorate their own boiled eggs, and let me tell you, for them it’s an experience that’s as messy as it is memorable.

So perhaps next year this is something you too can try!

The Great Egg Debate: Eastern Orthodox vs. Catholic Easter

Before we dive into our egg-decorating eggstravaganza, let’s address the elephant in the room—or should I say the bunny? (Would you believe me if I told you that after all these years I still haven't bothered to Google the whole 'bunny brings chocolates' thing?). Anyways, did you know that not all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day? The Eastern Orthodox Church often celebrates Easter on a different date than the Catholic Church.

This means that some years (not this year but most years, this time around they coincide), I get to enjoy two Easters! It’s like having your cake and eating it too—except instead of cake, it’s boiled eggs. And it all boils down to calendars—literally! The Western world uses the Gregorian calendar (the one with all the chocolate bunnies), while the Eastern Orthodox Church sticks to the Julian calendar.

Now, I can hear you asking: “But why does this matter?” Well, it matters because it gives us an eggcellent opportunity to teach our children about different cultures and traditions. Plus, who wouldn’t want to have two rounds of egg decorating? Even the Jewish side of me thinks this is fun. And by now my children are seasoned pros at egg decorating.

Just . Imagine . The . Chaos!

Crafting Your Boiled Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve established why we’re celebrating twice , let’s get down to business!

Step 1: Boil Those Eggs

First things first, if you want your colours to be bright, invest in white eggs. They are just as healthy as the brown ones but give you a white canvas to create on. White eggs can be a bit trickier to find but I order mine from Ocado and they always arrive in perfect condition.

Can you use brown eggs? Sure, some colours like red turn out lovely on brown eggs. Pink and Purple, less so. But the Fun is what matters here.

So let's get those eggs hard boiled! Traditionally we keep Eater Eggs out of the fridge as part of your Easter decoration so hard boiling them seems like a good idea. They keep well for a few days. So, place your eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring them to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, simmer for about 10-12 minutes before transferring them to cold water) to cool down. Remember, your kids will be decorating them, you don't want burnt fingers.

Step 2: Gather Your Supplies

While your eggs are cooling off, gather your crafting supplies: - Non-toxic egg dye - Food colouring works too, if you don't have dedicated egg dye - Vinegar (gently etches your colour into the egg shell) - Bowls or cups for dyeing - Old stockings or pantyhose - Leaves or herbs from your garden (make sure they’re non-toxic!) - A candle or bees wax crayon for drawing designs.

Step 3: Get Creative!

Once your eggs are cool enough to handle (and not too hot for tiny fingers), it’s time for the fun part!

Fill your bowls with hot water and add a splash of vinegar along with your food colouring. Dip those eggs in and watch as they transform into vibrant works of art! You can mix your food colouring to create new shades or dip them in multiple bowls for a watercolour effect.

If your children are old enough you can use melted wax to create shapes on your eggs. Alternatively, you can use wax crayons to draw on the eggs. The dye won't adhere to your drawing, leaving the drawing the base colour of your egg.

Step 4: Nature’s Prints

For an extra touch of creativity (and a bit of nature appreciation), head out to your garden and pick some leaves, flowers or herbs. Make sure they are the non toxic type. Tie them around your eggs using old stockings. The kids will love picking out their favourite leaves and arranging them on their eggs. Once wrapped up tight, dip the eggs into the bowls with the dye. When you unwrap them later, you’ll have stunning prints that showcase nature’s artistry. It’s like having a mini garden party right on your eggs!

Step 5: Make them Shiny (optional)

I quite like matt eggs, they feel almost sophisticated. But if you like a bit of shine, use a bit of oil on a cotton ball to polish your eggs. These beauties below are made by my cousin Aneta Nedyalkova.

The Crunchy Mum Philosophy

As a mum who believes in nutritious eating habits (and perhaps slightly less sugar-induced chaos), I find that decorated boiled eggs are not only healthier but also provide an excellent canvas for creativity without sending my kids into a sugar-fueled frenzy.

Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about watching my children take pride in their creations and engaging with food in a healthy way! It becomes less about consuming sweets and more about enjoying wholesome food together as a family. So there you have it—a fun-filled guide to celebrating Easter through creativity and cultural exploration, while keeping things nutritious!

And who knows? Maybe next year we’ll add another layer of complexity by dyeing our eggs using natural dyes made from fruit, spices and vegetables! 🐣✨

Paola Minekov's Art

Paola Minekov’s Undercurrents: The cover for Holocaust Memories

ONCE AT AN EXHIBITION