Easy DIY Easter Egg Recycle Craft for Kids

Looking for a super simple and fun Easter craft for kids? This easy-peasy Easter egg recycle craft is just what you need! Not only is it easy to set up (hello, minimal mess!), but it’s also a great way to reuse old cardboard instead of tossing it.

I love sharing simple craft ideas (maybe you’ve seen my thankful turkey craft, these construction paper flowers, or my salt dough Christmas tree ornaments)—and this one is no exception!

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Tempera paint sticks make decorating these eggs so much fun—think bold colors, smooth strokes, and zero dry time. Whether you’re crafting with toddlers or older kids, this activity lets them get creative without the usual paint spills and mess. Plus, you probably already have just about everything you need at home! 

And if you’ve ever looked at your kids’ adorable handmade crafts and thought, “Well, what the heck am I gonna do with these?”—stick around, because I’ll share my favorite way to use and display crafts like this one!

Materials Needed

You don’t need anything fancy for this craft—just a few simple supplies, most of which you probably already have at home!

• Recycled cardboard (cereal boxes, shipping boxes, etc.)
• Scissors
• Pencil (for tracing egg shapes and drawing patterns)
• Tempera paint sticks (these are our absolute favorite)
• Optional: Hole punch and ribbon for hanging

That’s it! Once you have everything ready, it’s time to start crafting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This Easter egg craft is super simple, and kids of all ages can join in on the fun. Here’s how to make your own colorful eggs:

Step 1: Cut Out Egg Shapes

• Use a pencil to trace an egg shape onto the cardboard. You can freehand it or use an egg-shaped template. (Don’t overthink it–it doesn’t have to be perfect!)
• Carefully cut out the eggs with scissors. If younger kids are helping, use kid-safe scissors or cut the shapes for them.

Step 2: Decorate with Tempera Paint Sticks

• I drew some patterns on some of the eggs with pencil – zig zags, lines, polka dots, etc.  This is optional, of course!
• Now for the fun part—painting! Use tempera paint sticks to decorate the eggs with stripes, dots, swirls, or any creative design. 
• You can try layering different colors for a bold, vibrant look. Tempera paint sticks dry quickly, so there’s no waiting time!

Turning Your Eggs into a Garland

I love turning simple crafts like this into a cute garland to display! So often, I find an adorable craft idea to do with the girls, but then I’m left trying to figure out what to do with their artwork afterwards. Making a garland is the perfect solution!

After decorating the cardboard eggs, I just punched two holes at the top of each one and strung them together with twine. It makes such a festive decoration for our dining room, and it’s a great way to showcase my girls’ creativity and add a handmade touch to Easter decor!

Creative Variations

We kept our Easter eggs simple with just tempera paint sticks, but there are so many fun ways to switch this craft up! We didn’t try these ideas ourselves, but if you’re feeling extra creative, here are a few ways to make your eggs even more unique:

• Textured Designs – While the paint is still wet, use a fork, cotton swab, or the edge of a popsicle stick to create patterns and texture.
• Glitter Effect – Add a little sparkle by brushing on a thin layer of glue and sprinkling glitter over the top.
• Collage Style – Cut up scraps of colored paper or tissue paper and glue them onto the eggs for a layered, textured look.
• Stickers & Stamps – Use stickers, foam shapes, or stamps to add extra details and designs.
• Metallic Accents – Try using metallic paint sticks or a gold/silver marker to add shiny details.

No matter how you decorate them, these Easter eggs are sure to turn out adorable!

Why This Craft is Great for Kids

This Easter egg craft isn’t just fun—it’s also a great learning activity for little ones! Here’s why it’s a perfect project for kids:

• Builds Fine Motor Skills – Tracing, cutting, and decorating help strengthen those small hand muscles needed for writing and other tasks.
• Encourages Creativity – With endless ways to decorate, kids can express themselves and experiment with colors and patterns.
• Mess-Free Fun – Tempera paint sticks make painting easy and so much less messy than traditional paints!
• Eco-Friendly – Using recycled cardboard teaches kids about reusing materials and reducing waste.
• Quick & Engaging – This craft is simple enough to keep little ones focused without feeling overwhelming.

This simple Easter egg craft is such a fun way to get creative with kids while using materials you already have at home. It’s quick, mess-free, and perfect for all ages! Whether you keep the eggs as individual decorations or turn them into a festive garland, they’ll add a cheerful touch to your Easter celebrations.

More Easy Craft Ideas

Looking for more fun and easy craft ideas to do with your little ones? You know I’ve got you covered!  You’re going to love this adorable paper plate ocean craft, this super simple shark craft, and these easy nature walk bracelets. And don’t miss this cute and easy mermaid craft, this apple tree name craft, and this spiderweb tape resist art!

If you give this craft a try, I’d love to see your creations—share them in the comments or tag me on Instagram! Happy crafting! ???