5 Awesome Easter Craft Books for Kids and Grownups

You can always try an Easter egg mani, like I did a couple of years ago.

Easter Sunday is April 5 this year, and while there’s a unique charm to a tie-dyed egg salad made from dyed eggs, I sometimes get the urge to branch out into trying different Easter crafts. If you’re looking for family-friendly projects, check out these Easter craft books for some springtime inspiration.

Pysanky: Easter Eggs of Eastern Europe: Coloring Pages for Kids and Kids at Heart
Never heard of “pysanky” (PEH-san-keh)? You’ve probably seen these intricately decorated Ukrainian eggs without realizing what they were called. The colorful designs are made by tracing patterns in wax and dyeing the egg in stages. In other words, it’s complicated. But you know what’s a lot easier and way more relaxing? Coloring in the pretty geometric designs in this coloring book. If you’re lucky enough to be near New York City, there’s an exhibition of cartoonist Roz Chast’s modern, humorous pysanky through April 2015.

Eyelike Stickers: Easter
This sticker book is jam-packed with 400 Easter and spring-themed stickers, ideal for all kinds of paper crafts. Grab a box of 40 pastel notecards and envelopes for $5 and the whole family can create cute homemade cards, place cards for the table, or Easter bunting to decorate the house.

Easter Knits
Yet another craft to file under “things I am way too lazy/unskilled for”: knitting egg cozy sweaters. Not sweaters with an Easter egg pattern, mind you, but a tiny sweater for your Easter egg to wear. Scandinavian knitting designers Arne and Carlos, who hail from a land with long winters and plenty of free time, have created an assortment of knitting patterns for bunnies, chicks, and Easter eggs, intended to help knitters use up their yarn stash. I no longer kid myself that I’ll ever actually make any of these projects, but I sure enjoy looking at the pretty pictures.

Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations
OK, this book doesn’t have “Easter” in the title, but c’mon, Easter is all about sweet treats. And who knows more about towering, show-stopping centerpiece cakes than the South? From traditional favorites like Lady Baltimore cake to rich, buttery pound cake or a fluffy coconut cake, this cookbook has you covered for a truly impressive Easter dessert. I’ll be making a vintage-style lamb cake this year, and will consider it an Easter miracle if the head doesn’t fall off in the oven.

Peeps: Recipes and Crafts to Make with Your Favorite Marshmallow Treat
You knew it was coming, right? Along with jellybeans and Cadbury eggs, Peeps are the quintessential Easter treat… but nobody really wants more than one. Make the most of those stale trays of marshmallow chicks and bunnies using this craft book’s ideas. Peeps holiday wreath? Peeps fondue? Peeps place card holders? The mind boggles. Astound your guests with these 24 projects, shown with simple step-by-step instructions for crafters of all ages.