The tradition of dyeing hard-boiled eggs on Easter began well before Christianity even existed. Other cultures dyed their eggs on days such as the Iranian New Year that occurs on the spring equinox. To many cultures, the egg is a symbol of fertility and rebirth which coincides with the Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus. In the weeks prior to Easter, Christians observe Lent, a time in which they do not eat eggs. Once Easter Sunday arrives, they will once again feast on this hard-boiled treat.

In Christianity, the hard-boiled egg has significance, especially in Orthodox and Eastern Catholic religion where the eggs were dyed red to resemble the blood of Jesus.

The shell is the tomb in which Jesus was laid and the egg inside is the resurrection of Him. Nowadays, except during church services, no one thinks about the history of the colored eggs, though it is good information to keep in mind when Easter approaches.

These days, hard-boiled eggs are colored for hunts, consumption, and are a popular staple for kids and adults. Instead of having to scrunch your nose up at the smell of vinegar to dye the eggs, like back in the old days, there are numerous hacks as alternatives to the stinky or messing dyeing with color pellets, water, and vinegar created by parents just like you. Below are a few of the best hacks to help keep the children from crying, the countertop from staining, and parents from cleaning up a colorful mess all over the kitchen.

These hack help to make Easter fun for everyone.

Use nail polish

Inside every household, you're bound to find an old bottle of nail polish that has been sitting around for ages. By adding a little bit of nail polish remover to it, it can be brought back to life and used to 'paint' the Easter eggs. So if that awful green color is still sitting in the drawer where it was put two days after purchase, last year, hand it over to the little ones and let them paint their hard-boiled eggs any way they would like with it.

Adult supervision is advised.

Sequins, fabric, and glue

These items make for awesome and unique Easter eggs. Elmer's glue should work fine with sequins or fabric. By spreading the glue on the eggs where they are to be decorated, each child can add either sequins or fabric pieces (that you have cut for them), onto their egg making it uniquely theirs.

They will be so proud of their creation, they may not want to eat it.

Food coloring

Although it can still get a little messy, using food coloring and water will color the hard-boiled eggs just fine. Just be sure to use some covering for the countertop, plastic, paper towel. Anything you have handy will work, just in case someone dumps over the Dixie cup full of food coloring and water. It will not be as hard to remove as the vinegar-laden colors, but why take the chance?

Use a whisk

If your child doesn't want to stick their hands in the colored water, or even if they want to stick their hands in the water, give them a whisk instead. By sticking the egg through the wires on the whisk, your child can easily dip it in the color then pull it out and the egg will stay in place.

Dipping the egg in multiple colors can make the egg look quite pretty, so let them give it a try.

Markers and crayons

No fuss, no mess; give them markers and crayons and let them create their little Easter egg masterpieces any way they see fit. There's no mess to fuss with and each egg will be unique and creative. This hack doesn't require much adult supervision unless your child is still a toddler and loves to put things in their mouth.

Tattoos and stickers

The stores sell Easter egg kits that are strictly tattoos for eggs or filled with stickers. This is one of the easiest ways to get those eggs ready for the hunt and doesn't take much adult supervision as coloring with dye does.

Glitter or colored sand

Most children have glitter in some form, either in little containers or as glitter glue. Both of these make great egg decorations, and girls may like this hack the best. What little girl doesn't like glitter? If you don't have any glitter around your house, why not try some colored sand and roll the eggs in it. Colored sand can be purchased at the local store in the toy department, and isn't that expensive. The eggs look quite charming when rolled around in the beautiful and colorful sand.

Q-tips and paint

Fabric paint and Q-tips; you can't go wrong. Turn the hard-boiled eggs into your child's easel by giving them some fabric paint and Q-tips to spread paint around on their eggs.

Any water-based paint will work if you don't have fabric paint specifically, and they will have a blast with their Easter egg creations. Spreading paint all over things is fun for any kid, or any adult for that matter, and at least this way they can eat what they mess up!

Shaving cream and food coloring

Get some regular white shaving cream and food coloring. Spread out the shaving cream on a flat surface, dribble some food coloring all around the shaving cream, and mix it up with a toothpick. Then roll the hard-boiled egg around in the colored cream, and cool-looking Easter eggs shall appear. Not to mention how awesome they will look when they dry - one-of-a-kind for sure.

Try out some or all of these no-tears or vinegar-laden hacks for Easter, and watch your kids have a blast with their creations.

While these hacks are great, if you still enjoy the traditional way of coloring Easter eggs, go ahead and do it. The choice is yours. These hacks are just for those parents out there that want to try something different this year. Don't forget to ask the kids, if they're old enough, which way they would like to create their tasty treats this time around. They may surprise you by using one or more of these hacks or just sticking with the traditional way. Whatever method you or they choose, is sure to make that the egg hunt is fun and interesting!
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