For those who raise chickens, not only do the animals themselves provide enjoyment because of their unique, nonchalant and playful personalities, but it is also a good feeling to be able to harvest wholesome foods from fellow creatures (with the option of not killing said creature if one is not inclined to do so) while at the same time enjoying a rewarding relationship with them. It is truly a fair exchange.
Eggs can be served in many forms and eggshells are good for the compost bin, of course, but they also offer a great opportunity to pull the children (or child at heart – or both) away from the television screen or computer and toward a truly colorful and creative activity instead. The beauty of it, and this is something children appreciate especially, is that no matter what you do it will turn out pretty.
Ready? Here is what you’ll need:
Eggshell from at least 4 eggs
Construction paper
Food color
White glue
Pencil
1- Make sure the eggshell is free of any of the thin “film” that lines the inside. Break into small pieces. (Children love to do this).
2- Prepare several colors of food dye in small jars or plastic containers. You only need a few drops in a small amount of warm water. Add a drop of vinegar. This will help set the color.
3- Immerse eggshell in dyes and allow to sit for a few minutes. The longer they are immersed, the darker the color.
4- Remove shells from dye, one color at a time, and spread them out on paper towels without mixing the colors.
5- When they are dry, assemble each color in one spot on a plate or in small, shallow containers.
6- On a sheet of construction paper, draw a light outline of the image you have in mind. You can also write down the colors you want to use to fill each area, very lightly with your pencil.
7- Select the desired colored shells and carefully glue them on the sheet.
A note: Clearly, this is a crafting activity that requires assistance from an adult, so it is a great way to spend time with children. It can be a great activity for a babysitter also, to help children pass the time in a fun way while awaiting mom and dad’s return.
A variation: You can create an eggshell mosaic on the cover of a small gift box. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly and brush a layer of non-toxic clear coating on top of the mosaic to increase its resistance to handling.
#1 by thekalechronicles on 05/31/2012 - 11:30 am
This looks like fun!
#2 by Granny on 05/31/2012 - 11:36 am
It is fun. A neighbor’s children had a grand time for an entire afternoon doing this lately. One child even decided to crush some of her eggshell into smaller pieces so that there were different textures in her mosaic. I’m on my way to Blog hopping for the afternoon. See you in your kitchen in a little while!