Decorating Easter eggs is a fun springtime activity, and the internet is filled with a ton of different tips for ways to dye Easter eggs, hacks for decorating Easter eggs, and ideas for decorating Easter eggs with a variety of materials. I’ve decorated Easter eggs at various activities over the years, and have learned many helpful tips and strategies for decorating easter eggs with low vision and how to make the decorating process easier for people with disabilities in general. Here are my favorite tips for decorating Easter eggs with low vision. Please note that while I use the phrase “Easter egg” throughout this post, the “egg” does not actually have to be a chicken egg and these techniques can work for other items as well.
Preparing Easter eggs in the oven
Easter eggs that are made with chicken eggs typically require the eggs to be hard boiled first. Instead of boiling eggs in a pot, one option is to use the oven or air fryer to cook the eggs, plunging them in a bowl of cold water with ice afterwards (also known as an ice bath). Most websites recommend cooking eggs in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or in the air fryer at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, though individual appliances may vary.
Easter egg alternatives for egg allergies
For people with egg allergies like me or who don’t want to use perishable eggs to dye Easter eggs, there are several Easter egg alternatives available, many of which can be cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Some of my favorite Easter egg alternatives include:
- Potatoes. Baby potatoes and Yukon gold potatoes are egg shaped and do not require any pre-cooking. Make sure to keep the skin on the potatoes, do not peel them
- Wooden eggs. These can be purchased at a craft store and are a great canvas for drawing/painting
- Plastic eggs. I wouldn’t dye these, but plastic eggs are good for painting or having stickers added on top
- Rocks. Rocks with a smooth surface work best for painting or being drawn on
- Large marshmallows. Jumbo-sized marshmallows can be dyed like traditional Easter eggs, though double-check the ingredients first to ensure there are no hidden egg whites if egg allergy is a concern.
Related links
- Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes – Marathons & Motivation
- Dyed Marshmallow Easter Coloring Fun – Nerdy Mamma
Use a high-contrast surface for painting items
A white egg shell will be difficult to see if it is sitting on top of a white surface, so it’s better to choose a dropcloth or a different colored surface for painting/dyeing eggs so that is easier to locate items and so they don’t get lost. I used a black vinyl tablecloth the last time I painted eggs because I wasn’t using black paint or any other black colored items, and it provided sufficient contrast for my workspace.
Related links
- Painting Pottery With Low Vision
- Choosing High Contrast Color Schemes For Low Vision
- Art Classes and Low Vision
Choose bright, saturated colors
I know pastel colors are popular for Easter eggs, though many people with low vision prefer bright, saturated colors that look different from each other, and that are easy to see in the paint tray. While color preferences are subjective, I’m a huge fan of bright purples, pinks, greens, and blues for painting Easter eggs.
Related links
Use a whisk to dip-dye eggs
One of my favorite hacks for dip-dyeing Easter eggs with low vision is to put the egg inside of a whisk so that it is easier to take in/out of the dye. This is a great option for people who have trouble using a spoon to remove the dyed egg from the dye bath, or who have limited dexterity/motor skills- just gently slide the wires of the whisk apart and place the egg inside before dipping it in the dye bowl.
Draw on eggs with permanent markers
Another option for decorating Easter eggs is to use permanent markers to draw on the egg surface. Permanent markers may be easier to manipulate than a paintbrush, or can be used on top of dyed eggs to create additional designs.
Related links
- How To Make Easter Egg Hunts Accessible For Low Vision
- Writing Utensils and Low Vision
- Tips For Creating Art For Visually Impaired Friends
Add tactile materials to eggs
I’ve seen several craft posts about wrapping rubber bands around Easter eggs or adding stickers to get interesting dye patterns, removing the items once the items are dyed, but these materials can also add a fun texture to the finished eggs as well. Some ideas include:
- Wrapping colored rubber bands or elastics around eggs
- Adding foam stickers or other raised stickers
- Using tactile dot stickers to write braille letters
- Adding adhesive sequins to make eggs sparkle
Related links
Other tips for decorating Easter eggs with low vision
- For people that have difficulty holding a paintbrush, wrapping a hair curler around the handle can make it easier to grasp
- There are several options for adding interesting textures or patterns to dyed Easter eggs, such as rolling eggs in bubble wrap or adding other items to the dye bath
- Nail polish often features highly saturated colors, and can be an inexpensive paint option for Easter egg alternatives
- Want more Easter egg fun? Check out my post on How To Make Easter Egg Hunts Accessible For Low Vision
