Happy Easter! Paint toys appear on many breakfast tables again, because painting eggs at Easter is a tradition. Only... it's often a mess too. Fortunately, there is such a thing as an egg paint mill - you know, that handy thing you can turn an egg in while you paint. You can buy the plastic ones in every supermarket and budget shop, but we know from experience: they break down quickly. Buy another one? Don't. You can make one yourself from cardboard in no time. Chances are you already have everything you need. And that paint? You can also make these yourself very easily with natural, edible dyes. We tipped you that earlier!
Painting eggs at Easter with a homemade paint mill
OK, that egg dye mill from the supermarket is pretty darn handy - nice pun. You clamp a boiled egg in it and can dye the egg while turning it without having to hold it all the time. But... this only works with whole eggs. If you go for blown-out ones (much nicer and longer-lasting), you won't need the plastic mill at all. Then you can just make one yourself! And oi, this DIY really is a lifesaver for every parent who suddenly discovers on Easter morning that the paint roller is lost or broken. Because with small children at home, you know: eggs must and will be painted. Well, with this cardboard alternative, you can fix it in no time. You just have to blow out the eggs first. Everyone happy - and the whole family on omelettes!
Making your own egg dye molem from cardboard. We found this beautiful inspiration example on Instagram. Here you can see the mill in action!
Making your own egg dye mill from cardboard
Tools
- cardboard box
- cork
- skewers
- sharp blade
- scissors
- bowl
- eggs
- brushes
- paint
Instructions
- Start by blowing out the eggs. First clean them on the outside and dry them well. Then carefully drill a hole on the wide side of the egg - a skewer works perfectly for this. Turn gently, don't push. Stick the skewer all the way through the egg and also poke a hole at the top. This way you will break the yolk and everything will come out easily.
- Hold the egg over a dish and blow through the top hole. With a little patience, the contents will come out at the bottom. Is it difficult? Then make the bottom hole a little bigger. Then rinse the egg thoroughly inside, possibly with a little vinegar to prevent odours. Let the eggs dry thoroughly. Meanwhile, you can fry a tasty omelette from the egg pulp. Throwing them away is a waste!
- Use a cardboard box as a base for the mill. Make sure the box is wide enough for the egg to fit in, but not too wide either - the skewer should stick out at both ends to turn.
- On two opposite sides of the box, make an incision about 2 to 3 cm deep. This is where you will later put the skewer with the egg.
- Cut thin slices from a cork with a sharp knife. You will use these to secure the egg to the skewer so that it can turn with you. First prick a slice of cork on the skewer, slide the egg on, and secure it with another slice of cork against the egg. Then slide the toothpick into the notches of the box. And then: turn it!
Notes
More tips for Easter
- Also see: you can ‘just’ find an Easter branch for free in your neighbourhood.
- Also see: Making zero waste Easter crafts for your Easter box.
- Also see: tap a vegan egg. That's how you can replace eggs!
Photo credits: Melanie de Oliveira.
