How to Dye Potatoes Instead Easter Eggs

If you've been to the grocery store lately you know all too well about the price of eggs — if you can even find them. In years past you might have set a few dozen hardboiled eggs in front of the kids with some vinegar dye baths and let them have it. This year, save a bit of money by dying small potatoes instead (marshmallows are a great idea too!).

1. Wash the potatoes.

After you dye them, we don't recommend you plan to eat them, but washing them will remove any waxy finish that might prevent the dye from sticking.

2. Follow the instructions on your Easter egg dye kit.

Usually there are small tablets of color to mix with vinegar. You may find that this does not provide enough color and can add extra food coloring to the dye bath.

3. Place the potatoes in the dye baths.

Allow to soak; 5-10 minutes will be enough for maximum color. Allow to dry.

4. If you'd like, decorate even more.

Using small round sponge brushe, add polka dots or other designs to the potatos using food coloring. Make sure that the sponge is not too full of dye or the color will run and bleed. You may need to polka dot one side and allow to dry completely before doing the other side.

5. Let the hunt begin!

All this is left to do is hide the potatoes in the grass for the kids to find!