Hot Glue + Color = Beautiful Easter Eggs

 

Hot Glue + Color = Beautiful Easter Eggs

We are going to create unique easter eggs by using hot glue and standard easter egg dye.
Hot glue is a tool that is not typically considered appropriate for older preschoolers and elementary students. They have both used glue guns in their preschool classrooms along with supervision. If you decide to try this it is imperative to discuss how to use glue guns safely and to provide supervision.  This activity isn’t for everyone. If you’re not comfortable with hot glue, it’s okay…please click away.
This is a fun and truly unique way to decorate eggs with your child!  Color and designs are created by layering hot glue and dye. It’s awesome!
First:
Discuss glue gun safety with your child and provide supervision.
You need:

• cool temp glue gun and glue
• white boiled eggs (we think older eggs work best, notes* below)
• egg dye – we used the cheapest dye on the shelf
• water and vinegar
• egg carton

Here we go!
Boil the eggs. Our eggs were boiled the day before and put in the fridge. They were cool, but not cold. If they are cold they will sweat and the glue will not stick. We had a bit of problem with our glue not sticking to the eggs.

Squirt the hot glue onto the egg. We used an egg carton to hold them:

Wide fat glue lines work well. Let the glue dry thoroughly:

Use a variety of squiggles and wiggles! These eggs are creative and abstract. Have fun with them!

Drop them gently into the dye. We let them set about 10 minutes so that there would be a significant contrast in color. There is an egg right here…

We applied glue, dyed the egg, peeled off the glue, added glue and dyed it again to layer and mix the colors. The egg carton makes a great drying rack. Let them dry thoroughly.

Once you have completed your layers and the eggs are dry peel of the final layer of glue. The results are rustic and stunning!


***Please read:  After the post notes***
After being completely pleased with the look of our eggs, we tried replicating this activity and had difficulty with the glue pulling the shell off. Yes. I am disappointed!! After experimenting with various temperatures of eggs and glue, the only thing I can attribute this to is the age of the egg. That is the only difference that I can find. I know that the eggs for the post above had been in my fridge for at least a couple of weeks.  If you have any feedback or input, I would love to hear it.  ~Kristi