Although Easter might look very different for many families this year, you can still celebrate the holiday from the comfort of your home. If you choose to take on some creative egg dying projects, COVID-19 may impact your access to egg dye. Here are some ways to make dye naturally at home with kitchen produce you might already have on hand. 

1. Beets. If you’ve ever gotten beet juice on a while shirt, you know it has a vibrant and strong natural color. Boil 1 cup of shredded beets in 1-2 cups of water for 20 minutes, strain, and add 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the strained liquid. Soak your eggs in the liquid for 30 minutes to overnight for bright pink hues.
2. Onion skins. Use these skins and follow the same method as with beets for natural yellow and orange dyes.
3. Turmeric. As you might guess from its bright color, this spice can be used to color your eggs by adding 2 tablespoons to 1-2 cups of boiling water and simmering for 30 minutes. Add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the final product and soak eggs for 30 minutes.
4. Coffee. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1-2 cups of coffee and you’ll have a beautiful earthy brown dye. 
5. Blueberries. Follow the same procedure as for the beets for a bright blue dye.
6. Avocado skins. Follow the same boiling procedure with the skins of 5-6 avocados for a nice blush-colored dye.
7. Purple cabbage. Contrary to its name, the boil plus vinegar method will actually yield a light, periwinkle blue dye.
8. Paprika. Follow the turmeric method above for a fiery red-orange shade.
9. Spirulina. This ingredient is pricey, but just a few teaspoons simmered in water and then combined with vinegar will give you a bright green shade. 
10. Pomegranate. This bright fruit is the easiest of the lot. No boiling required, just soak eggs in undiluted pomegranate juice for a dark red color.
11. Spinach. Have wilted greens on hand? Boil and treat with vinegar for an easy and cheap green dye. This one is not quite as strong so give eggs a full overnight soak in your spinach dye.

The COVID-19 quarantine doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy some traditional Easter activities. With so many natural options to choose from, it’s easy to dye eggs with supplies you already have on hand. As an added bonus, natural dyes are more environmentally friendly!