For centuries, families have been dying eggs to celebrate the arrival of spring or Easter. Why eggs? The eggs serve as a symbol of new life and fertility for the new season to come. This is tradition is as synonymous with the season as chocolate bunnies and daffodils.

Coloring eggs is a great activity for the whole family, because it’s so easy and affordable. Easter egg kits can be found in any grocery or big box store, complete with dye tablets that are ready to be mixed with water and vinegar. These kits can be fun, albeit messy, and can lead to stained hands, carpet, or tables.

There are more ways to color Easter eggs with your family than just using the standard kits. We’ve rounded up our favorite spring Pinterest pins for egg coloring methods, complete with some eggs that will last you season after season. Grab a carton of eggs and let’s get cracking!

Melted Crayon Eggs- Right after you boil the eggs, break out your Crayolas and get to drawing! The warm surface of the egg melts the crayon as you draw. But be sure to place the egg back in the carton while it’s still warm and to avoid burnt fingers. This tutorial is easy to follow and get the older kids involved by creating their own design with the melted crayon wax. (via jennaburger)

Mud Cloth-Inspired Eggs- Simple, yet stylish. Jazz up your tablescape with this black and white egg tutorial. All you need to create these are eggs, chalkboard paint, and a Sharpie. These designs look just as good on decorative eggs as they would real eggs. If you want more color, use a different background color on the eggs to make them pop against your tablescape. (via aliceandlois)

Thumbtack Scale Eggs- When it comes to Easter eggs, decorations that will last year in and out are not always the norm. But with these metallic, almost dragon-looking eggs it is! By using foam eggs and silver or gold thumbtacks, these eggs will see more than one Easter season. This tutorial will show you how to get the scale pattern just right. (via the36thavenue)

Napkin Easter Eggs- Want a polished design without having to stencil out each line on a rounded egg surface? This tutorial shows you how to turn your favorite paper napkin design into an Easter egg covering with egg whites. Whether you want an impressive floral arrangement or your child’s favorite TV character, if you can find a paper napkin with the design you want, you can do it! (via larecetadelafelicidad)

Whipped Cream Dyed Eggs- Your family will love seeing the swirls and twirls of this fun technique. The color combinations are endless with how these eggs will turn out. All you need is one good roll through the dye/whipped cream mixture to keep the colors intact and you get a one of a kind egg with this sweet tutorial. (via spendwithpennies)

Cement Dipped Gold Eggs- If you’re up for a tutorial that holds its weight in gold, these solid and luxurious-looking eggs are for you. Because the egg shell serves as mold for your creation, these beautiful eggs will last you for many seasons to come. With the cement and gold accents, the eggs can be used as a paper weight or gift after you’ve decorated with them! (via camillestyles)

If you are set on dying eggs the traditional way, we have some tips on making this an easier endeavor.

• Use a plastic tablecloth or newspapers to cover the space you’ll be dying eggs. Coloring eggs at any age can be messy and accidents can happen. It’s best to simply cover the area in preparation of any spills. No one wants their carpet to be stained Easter egg pink.
• Bake your eggs instead of boiling them. Use a muffin pan to hold the eggs and bake at 325°F for 30 minutes. Place the eggs in cold water after you remove them. The eggs may have a little brown spot after coming out of the oven, but will go away after the cold-water soak. This is a foolproof way of making sure that the eggs are baked at a consistent temperature. Plus, you don’t have to wait for the water to boil.
• If you aren’t a fan of the vinegar and dye solution, try using Kool Aid packets for vibrant colors that match the flavors. Some report using the packets can result in brighter egg hues than the standard dye.
• Use a whisk when soaking the eggs in your dying solution. Put the egg inside the wires of the whisk. A whisk makes it much easier to hold onto the egg than the thin wire holders that come with standard egg kits. When you’re done soaking the egg, it’s easy to just pull it out of the dye, lessening the chance of an egg breaking or the dye spilling.

What’s is your favorite way to color eggs with your family? Let us know in the comments below!