Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes
Does the price of eggs have you down? We have a great alternative that’s inexpensive and fun! Learn how to make these Easy Egg Dyed Potatoes! So easy, fun and creative for an easy Easter activity.
It’s no secret that the price of eggs has skyrocketed in recent months. I’ve seen some people joke on social media that they’ll probably have to dye potatoes instead of eggs this year!
And even though that’s meant as a funny joke, I thought…”hmm, why not?” So, here you have it…a budget friendly, super easy, easter egg alternative!
Learning how to dye potatoes was really fun and these actually turned out so cute! Plus, if you’ve ever had an egg that was never found during the Easter egg hunt, you’ll recognize a huge benefit of hiding potatoes instead of eggs.
There won’t be rotten egg smell weeks later if there is an egg forgotten! Easter egg dyed potatoes are easy, affordable, and create no stinky smell…sounds like a major win in my book!
Why You’ll Love Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes
- This easter egg alternative is a great option for those who have an egg allergy! No more missing out on dying “easter eggs”, you can dye potatoes!
- Dyeing potatoes like easter eggs is budget friendly. Perfect for large families or those on a tight budget.
- Easter egg dyed potatoes are a great way to work on color recognition with younger children.
Supplies needed for Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes
- Baby White Potatoes – These may also be called “yukon gold” potatoes in your grocery store. I recommend getting potatoes more towards the medium-small size. Don’t grab those super tiny, bite-sized ones, but don’t get really large ones either. And try to choose potatoes that are a good round shape.
- Water based food coloring – I do not recommend using gel-based food coloring, it won’t dry completely and will make a mess. Use any color of water based food-coloring that you’d like!
- Paint brushes – Any simple paint brush will work!
- Paper Towels – This is the one time I recommend splurging and getting the expensive paper towels. You’ll want some paper towels that are really absorbent and will protect your work surface as you dye potatoes.
- Rubber gloves – You don’t have to use these, but you’ll likely get dye all over your hands if you don’t.
- Water – You’ll need a small bowl of water to clean your paint brushes in between colors.
- Optional: Hairspray – I sprayed each potato with a light coating of hairspray after they dried to keep the dye from transferring onto other surfaces. You don’t have to do this, but your dyed potatoes may bleed onto each other and any other surfaces they sit on. NOTE: If you spray your potatoes with hairspray, the will not be safe to eat later.
How to Dye Potatoes
Wash each potato well and be sure all dirt has been cleaned off. Cover your work space with paper towels and prep a clean bowl with some water.
Grab a clean potato and drop one drop of your selected color of dye onto the potato. Use a paint brush to spread it around. Cover the entire potato with one color, or do multiple colors. Add more dye as needed until the whole potato is covered!
Place each dyed potato on clean paper towels and then spray them in a light coating of hairspray to lock in the dye. Let them dry for 5 minutes, and then they’re ready to go!
Can I Use the Kool-aid method on Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes?
I tried the Kool-aid method (and even the traditional egg dyeing method) and neither worked. The potatoes will get a little bit of color with both of these methods, but not much. That is why you paint the potatoes with food dye!
Can I use peeled potatoes?
I do not recommend using peeled potatoes for this easy Easter craft. They will super wet and gooey and will make a really big mess.
Pro Tips for the best Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes
- Mix and match the colors you use for this easter egg alternative so that you can create a vibrant display! You can use neon food coloring too!
- Cover your workspace in plastic wrap and lay paper towels on top. This will ensure a more water-proof surface in case spills happen.
- You can make tie dye potatoes, but just a heads up that they won’t be super vibrant. But, they’re really cute! Secure a coffee filter onto a potato with a rubber band and drop food coloring on it. Let it dry for 10 minutes, and then unwrap it.
These easy easter egg dyed potatoes are so much fun! Try them out for a frugal easter egg hunt.
More Easter Activities You’ll Love
- If you want another use for the potatoes after you dye them, you can use them in this fun Easter Egg Potato Stamp craft!
- There’s nothing quite like a salt dough keepsake. These Salt Dough Easter Eggs are so cute!
- This Easter Egg Shaving Cream Painting is a great activity for older kids.
- Have your kids create a beautiful masterpiece with this Easter Egg Watercolor Painting.
Easter Egg Dyed Potatoes
Ingredients
- Baby Delicious White or Yukon Gold Potatoes cleaned
- Water Based Food Coloring
- Small Paint Brushes
- Small Bowls
- Water
- Paper Towels
- Rubber Gloves
- Hairspray optional
Instructions
- Gather your supplies like small dishes of water, paper towels and rubber gloves. You will use the water and paper towels for cleaning the paint brushes and gloves to protect your hands from the dye.
- Take a clean potato, drop one drop of dye directly on the potatoes and use a paint brush to spread it around. You can cover the entire potato with one color of dye or do multiple colors. Add more dye as you need, but one drop will go along ways.
- Place the dyed potato on paper towels and let dry for 10 minutes. Then spray a light coating of hairspray on the potato to prevent the dye from rubbing off. Let dry for give minutes.
Notes
- I tried the Kool-aid method (and even the traditional egg dyeing method) and neither worked. The potatoes will get a little bit of color with both of these methods, but not much. That is why you paint the potatoes with food dye!
