I’m on day 12 of staying home and social distancing, and I’ve definitely lost some sense of date and time. But my kids reminded me that Easter is in two and one half weeks!
I realize Easter celebrations will be unusual this year, but if you need something to keep you occupied, Easter projects are as good an option as any, right? And I’ve got a bunch of good ideas for things you can do right at home. (Don’t celebrate Easter? Several projects are more Spring-focused than Easter-focused — like growing wheat grass, and a mini carrot-cake for two.)
Here are 15 pretty ways to prepare for Easter. Take a look. Most of these are super simple.
Salt Dough Egg Ornaments
Have you ever made an Easter Tree? It’s an easy tradition to start and it looks so pretty. And it’s not really a tree at all. Instead, you take bare branches (or blossoming branches if Spring has arrived where you live), and put them in a vase or container. Then hang simple salt dough ornaments that bring some color to your home. Here’s the easy DIY.
This is my most famous Easter project and it goes viral on Pinterest every year.
Grow Wheat Grass as Decor
This is easily one of the most satisfying things you can do to bring a little spring-time to your home. It’s inexpensive and super easy too. Plant a thick layer of wheat grass seeds in pretty much any container. Keep the soil wet, and within a couple of weeks you’ll have thick grass that makes a happy accent in your holiday displays. You could even plant your Easter Baskets with wheat grass. Directions here.
Easter Egg Dye For Bright Colors
Do you like your Easter Eggs to be super bright? With really intense colors? Skip the Easter Egg dye kits, and use food dye instead. You’ll find it in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Get the 4-pack of basic colors (red, blue, yellow, green), and the 4-pack of florescent colors, and you’ll be able to make the full spectrum of brightly colored dyes. Find the dye-bath “recipes” here (meaning: how many drops of each dye you’ll need to get the bright colors).
Natural Easter Egg Dye Recipes
Maybe you’d prefer something more natural for your Easter Egg dye? Head to the produce department to find everything you need. Ingredients like onions and cabbage and beets will make magic! Here are instructions for Reds, Oranges & Yellows, Greens, and Blues.
Fool-proof Hard-Boiled Eggs
Before you get started with the dye, here’s a refresher course including five secrets for perfectly hard-boiled eggs.
Confetti-Decoupaged Easter Eggs
One more egg decorating idea. Amp up your dyed eggs by adding a little confetti to the mix. Use a small hole-punch to cut out shapes using scrap paper (origami sheets work too). Then apply the shapes to dyed eggs using a brush and thinned out school glue. It’s a no fail project and they look so good. More details here.
Pretty Painted Egg Cartons
We’ve covered dyeing the eggs, so now let’s make something pretty to put them in. Pull out your craft paints and decorate your paper egg cartons! I like to think of these as an Easter Basket Alternative. Paint an egg carton, add some fake grass in pink or green, and then instead of eggs, fill the carton with Easter treats. Tie it up with a bow and gift it. It’s sure to make someone’s day. Ideas and directions here.
Bunny Pillow Pocket
Here’s another basket alternative. Make a Bunny Pillow with a little pocket where you can keep slip a few chocolates or a small gift. These adorable creatures are small enough that you can hang them from a door knob, or even add them to your Easter Tree. Full instructions here.
DIY Wire Geometric Bunny — Big & Small
To decorate your door or wall, skip the spring wreath and make a modern wire bunny instead. Or you can make them tiny-size to be used as napkin rings. Either way, they’re modern, cool and fun. The full photo tutorial is here.
Little Farmer Easter Basket
If you’d rather skip the sugar-filled basket this year, try this idea: Pick a basket theme based on an interest of your child. For example, you could make a Little Farmer Easter Basket (details here), or a Budding Artist Basket, or a Mini-Chef Basket. The possibilities are endless.
10 Great Easter Picture Books
That reminds me, a book is a great no-sugar addition to an Easter Basket. And books are so affordable too! Here are a whole bunch of gorgeous picture books you’ll love. Or you could choose one of these ten book picks that are perfect for spring and Easter.
Felted Spring Chicks
Have you ever tried a “felted” project? This is a perfect one to start with. It’s small and satisfying, and the little chicks you create are basically the cutest thing ever. Perch them around the house like little spring wishes, make them into place cards for your Easter feast, or add them to an Easter Basket. Find the full DIY here.
DIY Linen Napkins with Mitered Corners
Are you planning an Easter Feast? How about sewing some gorgeous linen napkins to add to your table. This project can feel intimidating, but wait till you see how it’s all spelled out in the photos. You can totally do this.
Mini Carrot Cake Recipe
Don’t forget dessert! A carrot cake feels appropriate, right? I love how tiny it is.
Adorable Easter Baskets
Last but not least, need help finding a good Easter Basket? Here’s a roundup of 10 of them.
P.S. — Do you ever wish the holidays had a regular schedule?
