Easter is creeping up again, and you know what that means. Plastic eggs. Everywhere. You either have a bag of them from last year stuffed in a closet, or you’re staring at a wall of them at the store, wondering why you need 72 neon ovals. I’ve been there. For years, I just hid them, found them again in July, and tossed them. But a few years ago, I had a lightbulb moment. Why not actually do something with them?
Turns out, those little plastic capsules are a crafter’s dream. They’re cheap, durable, and the perfect blank slate. So, if you’re ready to look at those eggs and see potential instead of clutter, you’re in the right place. I’ve rounded up eight of my favorite DIY projects that go way beyond just stuffing them with candy. Grab your glue gun, and let’s make a mess. 🙂
1. Glitter-Dipped Eggs
This is the project that started my plastic egg obsession. It looks incredibly fancy, like something you’d buy at a high-end home goods store. But I promise, it’s almost embarrassingly easy. It’s also the perfect gateway craft if you have kids—just be prepared for glitter to end up in places you never imagined.
What You’ll Need
- Plastic eggs (the smooth, solid-color kind work best)
- Mod Podge (the glossy kind is my go-to)
- Fine glitter in your favorite colors
- Disposable cups or bowls
- Paintbrushes (cheap foam ones are perfect)
- Something to hold the eggs while they dry
The How-To
First, you need to prep your eggs. Make sure they are clean and dry. If they snap together, I actually recommend taking them apart. It’s much easier to dip and dry the halves separately. Trust me on this.
Pour a layer of Mod Podge into one disposable cup and your glitter into another. Take an egg half, hold it by the rounded top, and dip the bottom third into the Mod Podge. Let the excess drip off for a second, then gently press the coated part into the glitter cup. Swirl it around a bit to get full coverage.
Lift it out and tap off the extra glitter. Now, here’s the trick I learned the hard way: don’t just lay them down to dry. Stick a toothpick or a wooden skewer into the tip of the egg half and poke it into a styrofoam block. This lets them dry without smudging all that hard work. Once they’re dry, seal the glitter with another light coat of Mod Podge if you want it to last for years. FYI, this method is way less messy than trying to paint glue on with a brush.
2. Mini Spring Wreath
Ever wondered why we only hang wreaths on the front door? I made a bunch of these mini wreaths last year and hung them on cabinet doors, the bathroom mirror, and even one on my dog’s crate (he was unimpressed). They add a pop of spring color without taking over the whole room.
Let’s Get Crafting
You’ll need a small grapevine wreath base—the 6-inch ones are perfect. Then, grab a bunch of plastic eggs in pastel colors. You can use the solid ones or even the glitter ones from the previous project.
- Hot glue is your best friend here. Fire up that glue gun.
- Start by arranging your eggs around the wreath without glue first. Play with the placement.
- Once you like the layout, glue each egg onto the grapevine. Don’t be shy with the glue; you want them to stay put.
- Fill in the gaps with small silk flowers, moss, or a pretty burlap bow.
- Add a simple ribbon at the top for hanging.
I love that you can make a whole family of these in different sizes. They also make killer place settings for your Easter dinner table. Just pop one on top of a plate with a name card tucked inside the wreath. Super cute, right?
3. Egg Carton Caterpillar
This one is a blast if you have little kids running around. It’s a classic for a reason. It takes those plastic eggs and gives them a whole new life as a friendly bug. Plus, it uses up another piece of Easter trash: the cardboard egg carton.
Step-by-Step Fun
First, grab a cardboard egg carton and cut it in half lengthwise, so you have a long strip of two rows of cups. You’ll want a strip with five or six cups.
- Paint the cardboard strip green. Any color works, but a caterpillar should be green, IMO.
- While that dries, decorate your plastic eggs. You can draw faces on them with permanent markers, paint them, or even glue on googly eyes.
- Once the carton is dry, poke two small holes in the top of each cup.
- Push a pipe cleaner through the holes from the inside out to make the legs. Bend the ends to make little feet.
- Glue your decorated plastic egg “head” to the front of the carton.
- Add two more pipe cleaners to the head for antennae.
The best part? You can still open the eggs to hide a little surprise inside for the kids to find. It’s a craft and a treasure hunt in one!
4. Elegant Lace Eggs
Okay, if glitter eggs are the life of the party, these lace eggs are the sophisticated guests. They have a delicate, vintage feel that I absolutely adore. They look complicated, but they’re just as easy as the glitter ones.
Materials Matter
You’ll need:
- Plastic eggs
- Scraps of lace (old doilies work great too)
- Mod Podge
- A small paintbrush
- Sharp scissors
Start by cutting your lace into small pieces. You don’t need to be too precise. It’s easier to work with smaller sections than trying to wrap a whole egg in one piece.
Paint a section of the plastic egg with Mod Podge. Lay a piece of lace over it and gently press it into the glue. Then, paint another layer of Mod Podge over the lace. This seals it down and gives it that translucent look where the lace seems to melt into the plastic.
Let them dry completely. Once dry, use your sharp scissors to trim off any excess lace hanging over the edges. That’s it! They look incredible displayed in a simple glass bowl or hanging from a ribbon on an Easter tree.
5. Succulent Planters
This might be my favorite project on the list. It’s unexpected and modern. Instead of fake flowers, we’re using fake succulents! You can find bags of tiny artificial succulents at any craft store, and they are the perfect size for these mini planters.
Tiny Garden Time
You’ll need a marker and a sharp knife or a pair of heavy-duty scissors.
- First, decide if you want your planter to sit flat or hang. For hanging, you’ll work with a whole egg. For sitting, you can use just the bottom half.
- Use your marker to draw a scalloped or zig-zag line around the middle of the egg half.
- Carefully cut along that line with your scissors. This creates a little “pot.”
- If you’re using a whole egg, you can hot glue a ribbon or a piece of twine to the top for hanging.
- Now, simply hot glue your faux succulents inside the pot. Mix and match sizes and colors!
- You can glue a small magnet to the back of a half-egg for a fridge magnet.
I have a whole row of these sitting on my kitchen windowsill, and they make me smile every single day. They require zero care and last forever. It’s a win-win.
6. No-Sew Felt Animals
Let’s be honest, plastic eggs are a perfect oval shape. And what has an oval shape? About a million different animals. This project turns those boring eggs into a whole barnyard using just felt, glue, and scissors.
Create a Critter
This is where you can let your imagination run wild.
- Bunnies: Glue on felt ears, a little puff tail, and a tiny felt nose with whiskers.
- Chicks: Use yellow felt for wings and a tiny orange felt diamond folded in half for a beak. Googly eyes are mandatory here.
- Bees: Wrap a yellow egg with black pipe cleaners for stripes and glue on some clear cellophane wings.
- Ladybugs: Paint the egg red, let it dry, then add black spots with a permanent marker or black felt circles. Add a black pipe cleaner head.
The key is using good craft glue that dries clear. You don’t want glue strings all over your adorable critter. These are perfect for stuffing in Easter baskets or using as decoration for a spring party.
7. Bath Bombs
Okay, this one is less of a craft for the eggs and more of a craft with the eggs. Plastic eggs make the perfect molds for DIY bath bombs. They’re the exact size and shape, and they pop open easily once the mixture is dry. You get a professional-looking bath bomb every single time.
DIY Bath Bomb Recipe
You’ll need a basic bath bomb recipe (baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salts, and a carrier oil) and some essential oils for scent.
- Mix your dry ingredients in one bowl and your wet ingredients in another.
- Slowly combine them. The mixture should feel like damp sand and hold together when you squeeze it.
- Pack this mixture very tightly into both halves of a plastic egg. I mean, pack it in there like you’re trying to make a snowball. Overfill it just a tiny bit.
- Press the two halves together firmly and give them a little twist.
- Let them sit in the mold for a few minutes, then carefully pop them open. Gently remove the bath bomb and set it on a piece of parchment paper to dry overnight.
You now have perfect, egg-shaped bath bombs. They make amazing gifts. Just wrap them in a little cellophane bag with a ribbon. Seriously, who needs Lush? 😛
8. A Modern Easter Egg Tree
You’ve seen the traditional Easter egg trees with the dyed hard-boiled eggs, right? This is the grown-up, no-fuss version. And it uses up a whole bunch of those plastic eggs at once.
Building Your Tree
You’ll need some branches. Forsythia branches are gorgeous if you can find them, but any interesting bare branch from your yard works. Put them in a heavy vase or pot (fill the pot with rocks or plaster of paris to keep it stable).
Now, for the eggs. The key here is using the solid color plastic eggs. If they have holes in the top, great! If not, you’ll need to carefully poke a small hole in the top of each egg.
- Cut pieces of ribbon, twine, or colorful yarn.
- Thread the ribbon through the hole in the egg. If the egg comes apart, thread it through the top half, then snap it shut.
- Tie the ribbon in a loop, big enough to easily hang on the branches.
- Now, the fun part. Hang your eggs on the branches! Mix up the heights and colors.
I have one of these on my dining room table every spring. It’s a stunning centerpiece, and it’s so easy to change the look. One year I used all pastels, the next I did a bold mix of neon and black and white. It’s way more interesting than a bouquet of flowers, and it lasts all season.
So, there you have it. Eight different ways to look at a humble plastic egg and see a project. Whether you’re a glitter fanatic, a lover of all things rustic, or just looking for a fun afternoon with the kids, there’s something here for you. I’d love to know which one you’re going to try first. Or, if you have a favorite plastic egg craft that I missed, please share it! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a glue gun and about forty eggs. Happy crafting!
