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The Best Plastic-Free Easter DIYs for 2026 (Decor, Natural Egg Dyeing & Eco Easter Baskets)

Plastic-Free Easter DIY Ideas for 2026: Sustainable Decor, Natural Egg Dyes & Zero-Waste Baskets

Quick answer: “Planning a sustainable Easter 2026? Skip plastic décor and use branches in a vase, handmade salt-dough ornaments, natural egg dyes (onion skins, red cabbage, turmeric, beetroot), botanical prints with herbs, and reusable baskets like egg cartons, fabric pouches, or mason jars.”

Easter is the moment spring finally feels real: brunch plans, egg dyeing, chocolate bunnies, and that first warm walk in the sun. But it’s also the season when “just-for-the-holiday” décor and plastic packaging quietly pile up—only to be thrown away days later.

This guide shares easy, cozy, magazine-style Easter DIYs for 2026 that are festive and sustainable. Everything here is plastic-free (or close to it) and designed to be reused year after year.

DIY Easter Table Décor with Spring Branches

If you do one thing from this list, make it this. Branches in a simple vase instantly say “spring” and look effortlessly modern—without buying seasonal plastic décor.

You’ll need:

  • 1–3 jars or vases
  • Spring branches (hazel or willow work beautifully)
  • Jute twine, natural string, or a fabric ribbon
  • Optional: handmade ornaments (see DIY Easter ornaments)

How to style it:

  1. Place branches loosely in the vase (slightly imperfect looks more natural).
  2. Tie a soft bow around the jar using twine or fabric.
  3. Add 1–2 ornaments per branch if you like—keep it minimal for a magazine look.
Plastic-free Easter table decoration with spring branches in a vase

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DIY Easter Ornaments (Salt Dough or Recycled Cardboard)

These ornaments are plastic-free, budget-friendly, and easy to store—so you can reuse them every Easter.

Option A: Salt Dough Ornaments

Recipe: 2 parts flour, 1 part salt, 1 part water

Steps:

  1. Roll out the dough and cut shapes (eggs, flowers, bunnies).
  2. Make a small hole for the hanging ribbon.
  3. Air dry or bake at a low temperature until hardened.

Leave them natural or add subtle decoration like dots, line art, or soft stripes.

DIY Easter ornaments made from salt dough - sustainable Easter decor

Option B: Recycled Cardboard Ornaments

Cut egg/flower/bunny shapes from old packaging, punch a hole, and tie on natural string.

Optional: stain lightly with coffee or tea for a warm vintage effect that looks surprisingly high-end.

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Natural Easter Egg Dyeing + Botanical Egg Prints

Natural dyes create soft, earthy tones that look beautiful on a spring table—and avoid chemical dye tablets and plastic packaging.

Natural dye color ideas:

  • Onion skins → warm rust-red
  • Red cabbage → blue to purple (depends on pH)
  • Turmeric → sunny yellow
  • Beetroot → pink-red

How to dye eggs naturally:

  1. Simmer your ingredient until the water is deeply colored.
  2. Add a splash of vinegar to help the color bond.
  3. Let eggs sit in the dye bath for about 10 minutes.
  4. Remove carefully with a spoon/sieve (hot!) and let cool.

Botanical Egg Prints (Leaf-Printed Eggs)

For a more “wow” effect, create botanical prints using herbs and leaves.

  1. Place small leaves or herbs (parsley and rosemary work well) on the egg.
  2. Wrap tightly in fabric or leftover nylon stocking pieces.
  3. Put into the dye bath for 10 minutes.
  4. Cool, unwrap, and reveal your naturally printed egg.
Naturally dyed Easter eggs using onion skins, red cabbage, turmeric and beetroot

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Plastic-Free DIY Easter Baskets (3 Sustainable Ideas)

You don’t need a store-bought plastic basket. These three ideas are reusable, giftable, and simple to make with what you already have.

1) Upcycled Egg Carton Nest

You’ll need: empty egg carton, scissors, twine, paper scraps (optional paint)

  1. Remove the lid or shape the carton into a little tray.
  2. Fill with shredded paper (darker recycled paper looks especially pretty).
  3. Wrap with twine or add a handle for a basket feel.

2) Fabric Gift Pouch from Old Clothes

Sew a small pouch from an old shirt or linen—or simply knot the fabric. It looks elegant, is reusable, and feels “special” without plastic wrap.

3) Mason Jar Nest (Zero-Waste Gift)

You’ll need: large mason jar, shredded paper strips, fabric, ribbon/twine

  1. Add shredded paper to the bottom of the jar.
  2. Fill with eggs, chocolate, small gifts, or a handwritten note.
  3. Cover the lid with fabric and tie with ribbon for a beautiful, reusable gift.

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Sustainable Easter Brunch Table Styling

This table styling looks like an interior magazine without buying anything new: soft linens, greenery, and personal touches.

beautiful-easter-diy-table-decoration

You’ll need:

  • Fabric or linen napkins
  • 1 sprig of rosemary or olive per person
  • Name tags cut from cardboard scraps
  • Twine or ribbon

How to style it:

  1. Fold the napkins loosely (relaxed looks modern and effortless).
  2. Place the herb sprig on top and tie gently with twine.
  3. Add a handwritten name tag (or a tiny ornament) as a finishing touch.

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FAQs

What can you make for Easter with kids?

Egg decorating is the classic—and it’s even more fun when kids help create natural dyes using onion skins, red cabbage, turmeric, or beetroot. Just supervise closely around hot water. Many of the DIY decorations in this post are also kid-friendly with a little help for cutting, tying, or baking.