Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Fact: Whether everyone grabs their DIY baskets and sets out on a hunt or not, an Easter party just isn't complete without decorated eggs. But where do you start when your attention really should be on menu planning?
While it's true that the dye kits sold in stores make a worthy option—they're easy and convenient—they don't necessarily yield the most creative shells. That's where paint comes in. When decorating Easter eggs, you can use any craft paint, really—acrylic, watercolor, puff paint, and even spray paint.
No matter what kind of paint you use, just be sure to "blow out" the eggs before you get to work if you want to keep your masterpiece for future Easter celebrations. It's easy: Simply use a pin to prick a hole in each end of the egg. Then, positioning yourself over a bowl, put your mouth around the top hole and blow. With a little force, the yolk and whites will run out of the hole into the bowl you've set beneath it. (Use that goodness for scrambled eggs!)
Can't wait to get started? Check out the easy egg painting and decorating ideas below for inspiration.
1
Geodes
Painted rock sugar lends these sophisticated Easter eggs an incredible life-like appearance.
2
Monstera Leaves
Use a painting technique called "decoupage" to apply printable ferns to real or fake eggs.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Imprinted Flowers
An old pair of pantyhose keep real flowers in place during the dying process, leaving a gorgeous imprint behind.
4
Tissue Paper
Another decoupage idea—but this time with bright, bold patterned tissue paper.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Paper Napkins
No tissue paper on hand? You can also use paper napkins as your material of choice.
6
Mermaid Tails
Place eggs inside fish net stocking before spray painting to achieve a look that's surprisingly similar to a mermaid's tail.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Gold Animals
It doesn't take much to create a wow-worthy easter egg. In this case, just a simple coat of spray paint on plastic figurines.
8
Confetti
Paint "naked" eggs with a coat of Mod Podge, press on paper confetti, then add another layer of glue.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9
Alphabet
After spray painting, remove stick-on letters to reveal crisp alphabet letters.
10
Paint Splattered
Not confident in your painting skills? There's no technique needed here. With a few flicks of the wrist, you'll have a whimsical Easter egg.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
Color-Changing
Toddlers and kids will love this painting technique, which results in a science experiment of sorts. The paint changes color based on the temperature.
12
Ice Cream Cones
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13
Metallics
Metallic spray paint makes this quick craft work. Just a few coats, and you're good to go.
14
Cotton Candy
These Easter eggs seem very refined, but here's the secret: Painted cotton balls look deceptively like cotton candy.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15
Disney's "Frozen"
You'll never want to let these Easter eggs go, and you don't have to—faux eggs get two coats of paint, adhesive vinyl, and rhinestones, so you can keep them for years to come.
16
Bouffant
All you need is a little bit of acrylic craft paint to make some seriously sophisticated chicks for your Easter basket.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17
Watercolor Flowers
If you've got the skills, these watercolored eggs are just as pretty as any painting we've seen.
18
Unicorns
Like magic, a few strokes of a paint brush and a some basic craft supplies—glue and paper—yield a fun unicorn egg.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19
Stamped
If you're worried about the mess paint can create (particularly if you're including little ones in the activity), try a similar—but much cleaner—technique: stamping.
20
Glittered
Use a brush to paint white glue onto your eggs, then douse with glitter and shake off any excess.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
