Play and Learning Activities with Plastic Eggs

Ideas to Reuse Plastic Eggs

Easter is my favorite holiday.  Somehow despite the fact that we don't fill baskets for our children we still ended up with dozens of plastic eggs.  I'm certainly not complaining!  We had a great time with friends this weekend, and my boys enjoyed participating in two egg hunts.  I am not one to throw out supplies.  Instead I like to get as much use out of toys as possible, so I searched a few of my favorite blogs for ideas for plastic eggs that aren't related to Easter.  While many of these activities were originally done before the holiday, all of them can be done any time of year.

15 Ways to Play and Learn with Plastic Eggs

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Water Beads Sensory Bin with Plastic Eggs and Light

I threw this sensory bin together for J-Bug (3) last spring, and it is still a sensory experience we love.  The only prep time required is hydrating the water beads.  Just throw water beads in a bin of water and let them sit for a few hours while they expand.  For more information read my Child's Play 101 post about water beads.

Please note that water bead play is wet, and only submersible lights are safe. Another safe alternative would be glow sticks as seen when we combined water beads and glow sticks. Maybe I'll bring out the glow sticks and plastic eggs next time we play with water beads!

Letter Matching Game from Mess for Less

I have seen many ideas for letter matching with plastic eggs on various blogs, but this letter match from Mess for Less puts a new twist on the game, making the plastic eggs a puzzle for young learners to assemble.

Exploring with Light and Easter Eggs from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

What a cool way to explore with plastic Easter eggs.

Print Making with Plastic Eggs

We enjoy painting with various materials, and painting with plastic Easter eggs was no exception!  In addition to a fun art project, it was an excellent way to boost fine motor skills.

Explore the Sense of Hearing

We did this activity while studying the five senses last fall using plastic eggs from the previous year.  I'm glad I didn't throw them out after Easter!

Wobbly Easter Eggs from And Next Comes L

We are definitely going to make a set of these!  Oh the possibilities!

10 Ways to Use Plastic Eggs for Learning from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas

Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas is the queen of learning through play with plastic eggs.  She has so many unique ideas!  I especially like the game to learn to tell time.  JZ (5) has recently begun learning to tell time to the quarter hour, and I think he would get a kick out of this hands on time exercise!

Montessori Inspired Egg Shakers from Living Montessori Now

Baby and toddler friendly egg shakers that are simple to make.

Easter Egg Crack Painting from Teach Preschool

Crack open an Easter egg for an art filled surprise inside!

Plastic Egg Sensory Bin with Rice

This bin was originally made before Easter, but the benefits of scooping and pouring rice are applicable all year long.  My toddler twins (20 months) loved the sensory play and the challenge of opening and closing the plastic eggs.  It was a great fine motor exercise, and I will definitely be bringing out the bin again before next Easter.

Secret Message Egg Necklace from Parent Teach Play

The secret message is "Happy Easter", but this could easily be changed to apply to any day of the year!  Even a simple, "I love you" or "Have a great day" would make a sweet surprise message for your child and a great way to reuse a plastic egg.

Easter Memory Game from Happily Ever Mom

This simple to set up memory game would be a hit with my boys for sure!

Glowing Easter Egg Hunt in the Tub

Okay, in all fairness, egg hunts are associated with Easter, but this glowing egg hunt would be fun all year long, especially on a rainy day when you're stuck indoors.  Turn the lights off in the bathroom, and surprise your little one with a glowing sensory game!

Plastic Easter Egg Roll Painting from Fun at Home with Kids

This has been on our to do list all season, and we still haven't gotten around to it!  When we finally make the time, I know my boys will love this new way to paint.

Easter Egg Sculptures from Fun-a-Day

Seriously, isn't this the coolest idea you've seen with plastic eggs?

For more ways to play with plastic Easter eggs follow me on Pinterest.

More Easter egg activities:

Painting with Eggs ~ Homemade Easter Egg Dye ~ Tips for Dyeing Eggs with Toddlers