I love Martha Stewart, but I simply don’t have the time or money to execute some of the domestic diva’s most popular Easter projects.
For example, Stewart’s blown-out pheasant eggs sparkling with glitter are stunning, but with limited funds, energy and inclination–and the fact that she suggests using canned air to remove the excess glitter (what’s wrong with free air blown from your mouth?)–makes super simple Easter crafts that much more inviting.
I’ve made these easy Easter projects with toddlers, preschoolers, and moms with compromised creative skills, on more than one occasion without a single complaint:
Egg Container Lambs: All you need are some empty egg cartons, cotton balls, glue, construction paper, scissors and googly eyes. Start by cutting out each cup from the egg carton. Next, place the egg cup open-side down on a flat surface and cover it with glue. Then, have the kids attach cotton balls on the egg cup until it is completely covered. Finally, decorate the fluffy lamb with googly eyes and ears and feet made from construction paper.
DIY Easter Egg Chalk: There’s no need to run to the store and spend money buying chalk in the shape of Easter eggs when you can make them at home for cheap. For this project you will need plastic Easter eggs, petroleum jelly, plastic of Paris, powdered tempera paint, paper cups, plastic spoons and an empty egg carton. Get started by coating the insides of each plastic egg half with petroleum jelly, then set the halves upright in the egg carton. Then, in a paper cup, mix together 1/4 cup of plaster of Paris, two tablespoons of powdered tempera paint, and two tablespoons of cold water. Next, fill each egg with the mixture, leaving a little space at the top. Wait a few minutes until the mixture thickens a bit, and then connect the two halves of the plastic egg and briskly shake it to make sure the chalk is completely mixed. Let the eggs dry overnight before unmolding the chalk. If needed, use the tip of a knife to help remove the egg-shaped chalk.