DIY Toy-Filled Cascarones {dyed eggs}

For the past five years I’ve challenged myself to come up with different ways to dye Easter eggs.  It’s not that I want to break from tradition but I’ve had some fun ideas I’ve wanted to try.  Based on the reception, I’m not the only one who loves to experiment!

This year is no exception. Recently I was remembering a springtime when I lived in San Francisco.  I had purchased a great book about secret stairway walks of the city and loving all things whimsical I had set out on one near to my apartment.  After climbing a very steep staircase, I was walking down a charming alleyway to the next stairway and walked through an area of the sidewalk that had been completely decorated for Easter.  Crepe paper was strewn through the trees above.  What would have been an ordinary walk in front a small apartment building had been transformed into an enchanting wonderland of paper flowers wound through a little fence, Easter decorations hidden in the tiny garden abutting the walkway and an egg hunt.  A little sign welcomed passersby inviting them to take on stuffed egg on their way through the walkway.  I was over the moon with excitement!  It was so unexpected and enchanting I’ve never forgot it.

Before I get into my project for today, I should back up and share I’m plagued by one aspect to the Easter holidays; that it can feel to me to be the last stop on the Chocolate Express, that starts its journey with Halloween, winds through all the December sweets, making a big stop at Valentine’s Day only to end in a chocolate-filled Easter Basket bang.  I’m not one to rob my kids of experiencing a traditional holiday but decided last year there was an opportunity to make it just as fun without being all about candy.

I shared a post last year to help spark creative options that were festive yet not chocolate: 25 Creative Gifts to Fill Easter Baskets without Candy.  I did heed my own advice and the majority of my kids’ Easter baskets were filled with these items which they loved.  We never can count on the weather at Eastertime so usually have an egg hunt indoors with loads of fillable plastic eggs.  I’m sure you could take a wild guess what the eggs are generally filled with; candy.  Last year I instead took the time to create a list of activities to go along some candy and filled the eggs with slips of paper requiring 10 sit ups, telling a joke, figuring out a riddle I supplied, giving your sibling one of your eggs, etc.  One of the kids seemed to get all of the athletic challenges as well as giving eggs to your sibling so clearly the system could be refined.  However it was loads of fun and laughs and the excess of candy wasn’t missed.

Building both on the experience on the unexpected San Francisco egg hunt and keeping the sugar low and the fun high, I decided to make Toy-filled Cascarones!  If you aren’t familiar with Cascarones they are dyed eggs with the tops cracked off, then are filled with confetti sealed with tissue paper and smashed on someone’s head for good luck.  They originated in Spain in the 1800’s and the custom migrated to Mexico.  They were also used in Italy; when a man found a woman he found attractive he would throw one at her (I’d certainly want to date someone who pummeled me with an egg and exploding confetti; you?).

I decided to do a spin on that with plastic, dyeable eggs filled with small trinkets found in the party favor area of most stores.  It’s a straightforward project that ends up with egg-shaped treasure troves to be hidden for Easter or any party scavenger hunt really.  They are NOT for breaking on each other’s heads however!  Unlike the Latin tradition, these eggs are firm (thus better for holding tiny toys).  I’ve included some links for buying supplies online for your convenience however most supplies are available at larger stores (Walmart for the dyeable eggs) or craft stores.  A note on cutting the eggs: I tried a number of tools from scissors, Xacto knife, box cutter and found to make a straight cut the Xacto Razor Saw is the best to leave the edges flat and not jagged.  It can be found at hardware stores and I’ve included a link in the supplies for online purchase.

How to Make Toy-Filled Cascarones

SUPPLIES:

Xacto razor saw 

Decorating Easter Eggs

Food Coloring

White Vinegar

Cups to dye the eggs

Latex (or non-latex) Gloves

Baking Sheet

Paper Towels

Colorful Tissue paper (1 sheet or multiple if desiring different color), cut into xx diameter circles (enough for the amount of cascarones you will be making); cut into 1 3/4 inch diameter circles (large enough to allow 1/4 inch to extend past the hole in the egg)

White glue

Small paint brush (optional)

Small party favor toys that would fit inside the eggs (tattoos, necklaces, squishy bugs, balls, bubbles, confetti, rings, etc)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Using an Xacto razor saw (adults only please!), saw across the egg ½-3/4 inches from the pointed top straight across the egg.  Discard the removed egg point and dust off any particulate from sawing.  Repeat for the number of eggs you wish to make.

Line a baking sheet with 2 layers of paper towels.  Set up dying cups.  Add 20 drops of a given color in dye cup with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar (note: for the egg to absorb the color well no water is added to the dye and vinegar).  I suggest wearing gloves for dying the eggs.  Place a cut egg in a dye cup.  Roll is around to fully cover with dye.  When the color is to your liking, remove and place the egg with the cut side down on the prepared baking sheet to fully dry; eggs may be placed in the dye a second time after dry to deepen the color.  Repeat to dye any other eggs.

When the eggs are dry (be sure to wipe out any dye inside the eggs with a paper towel before proceeding), add some confetti and trinkets inside the dyed egg.

Make a thin line of glue around the outside cut edge of the egg (I like to paint it on with the small brush); place a tissue paper circle over the top of the opening of the egg allowing equal amounts of tissue paper to extend around the opening.  Gently smooth down the tissue paper onto the glue and pat to adhere.  Set aside to fully dry.