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Learn How to Make Beautiful Washi Paper Eggs with Decoupage

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Make these gorgeous DIY decoupage easter eggs with plastic eggs from the dollar store and washi or origami paper in a few simple steps.

Spring is in the air and Easter is just around the corner! It’s time to break out your craft supplies and get creative with some colorful decoupage Easter eggs.

Not only are they a fun activity for everyone in the family, but they also make beautiful decorations for your home. With a few simple materials and some creativity, you’ll be able to create stunning eggs that will brighten up any space. So let’s hop right in and learn how to make these festive treasures!

DIY Decoupage Easter Eggs

Decoupaged easter eggs in colorful washi paper sitting on moss in a small white wicker basket.
DIY Decoupaged Easter Eggs

If you are new here, howdy! I’m a retired military spouse who moved back to Texas after being gone for 19 years.

I perfected the art of rental decorating and overcoming challenges in small spaces for over fifteen years but now am tackling homeownership with a new set of challenges!

Our family of four lived in some of the most beautiful coastal towns in the US and Japan which have influenced my colorful and global style with DIYs and furnishings in our one-story 60’s ranch-style home in Fort Worth.

What is decoupage?

Decoupage is a crafting technique that allows you to cover a wood, plastic, or glass surface with pieces of decorative paper, tissue, or other material using a glue and water solution or a product like Mod Podge. The glue mixture allows you to work with the paper on just about any shape or size of an item.

The paper/material can get delicate when wet depending on the thickness and type but overall is an easy project. It is a great beginner’s craft or DIY.

Materials needed for decoupage Easter eggs

This Spring craft is fantastic for items from your local dollar or craft store.

  • Plastic Easter eggs
  • Washi paper (handmade paper), tissue paper, or other craft/decorative paper
  • Solution of 50% glue (Elmer’s or generic craft glue) and 50% water, Mod Podge, or decoupage glue
  • Bowl or cup
  • Paintbrush

I found a packet of small washi paper at my local dollar store. It has lots of different colors and little gold threads in some of them. I love the texture that handmade paper shows and have even tried making washi paper myself!

Note: When decoupaging a smaller item like Easter eggs, using thinner paper like tissue or napkins is easier to cover the surface and have a smooth finish.

Colorful pieces of washi paper are on a white table top.
Washi Paper

How to make decoupage plastic Easter eggs

  • Cut your paper into 1/2-inch strips. If your paper is thin and opaque like mine, choose Easter eggs in the same color family for each color of paper for the best pop of color on the finished egg.
Strips of colorful washi paper and pastel plastic easter eggs sit on a table with mod podge and paint brush.
Strips of Paper and Glue Mixture
  • Prepare the glue/water solution by mixing 50/50 Elmers or other craft glue and water to create a decoupage solution.
  • I found it easiest to directly dip a strip of paper into the glue (you can use a straw to dunk it or the end of your paintbrush) and place it on the egg.   Alternatively, you can paint the glue mixture on the egg and add the paper dry.
A picture showing a piece of washi paper dipped in glue water mixture with a straw.
Dip Washi Paper Strip into Glue Mixture
  • Tap down the edges gently to smooth the paper on the egg.  Use enough strips to cover the egg completely.
  • Add more glue mixture as needed for the paper to lay flat. Small wrinkles are normal and will shrink some when drying for a smoother finish.
DIY Easter eggs with washi paper showing blue paper glued to a blue plastic easter egg.
Blue Washi Paper Egg
  • To speed up drying time.  Set your oven to 200 degrees and leave it on for 20 minutes.  Turn off the oven and place your eggs inside for an hour.   You can do this more than once until your eggs are dry.
Colorful decoupaged eggs on a cookie sheet before drying in a warm oven.
Dry Eggs Carefully in Oven on Low Temperature

They are ready for display once dried! Try styling your eggs with moss in a wire basket for a fresh update to a traditional Easter grass and basket. 

Mod podge easter eggs in different colors sit in a small white wire basket with moss.
Mod Podge Easter Eggs

Aren’t the colors beautiful?

Easy DIY Easter eggs with paper and decoupage technique showing colorful eggs in a basket.
DIY Washi Paper Eggs in Wire Basket

Commonly asked questions about decoupage eggs

  1. Are there any specific types of paper or designs that work best for decoupaging Easter eggs? Small prints, patterns, and solid colors work best for eggs. As well as thin paper such as tissue paper, thin washi, and napkins.
  2. How do I prepare the surface of my Easter egg before applying the decoupage material? Make sure the Easter egg is wiped clean of any dust or debris.
  3. Can I use real eggshells for decoupaging or should I use plastic eggs? Real or plastic eggs are fine. Make sure to blow out the egg yolk first if using a real egg. Do this by carefully pricking a hole at each end of the egg with a needle or thumb tack. Blow through one hole while holding the egg over a bowl to save the yolk and egg whites if you want.
  4. Can children participate in the process of decoupaging Easter eggs, or is it better left to adults only? This is a great DIY for all ages.
  5. How long does it take for the glue used in decoupage to dry on an Easter egg? The glue should dry overnight unless you use the oven method mentioned above in this article.
  6. What kind of sealant should I use to protect my finished decoupage Easter egg from damage or fading over time? You can use clear acrylic spray paint or another water base clear top coat if you want but it is not necessary. Otherwise, store eggs in a dark place to prevent fading.
  7. Do you have any tips for creating unique and beautiful designs with your decoupage materials on your Easter eggs? Try cutting specific flowers and other designs out of the paper and only decoupage the cut-out elements on the egg.
Boho Easter Basket With Tassels
Boho Easter Basket with Tassels

I’ve loved using these eggs year after year and even added hangers so I could display them on an Easter tree.

An easter tree with DIY egg ornaments in front of gold mirrors and two blue chairs.
DIY Easter Tree
An easter tree using faux eucalpytus stems, washi eggs, and tassels in a large blue vase in front of abstract art.
Easter Tree with Eucalyptus and Tassels

Think of all the possibilities of colors and patterns with decoupaged eggs!

If you liked these Washi Paper Eggs then you’ll love my DIY Japanese Ribbon Eggs! You would probably also enjoy this chinoiserie egg idea from Stone Gable and these beautiful eggs from Southern Living.

A mix of colorful decoupaged eggs in a wire basket.
Handmade Decoupage Eggs

You can find all the best decorating ideas and DIYs for Spring and Easter on this page! It also includes seasonal printables, checklists, and worksheets for Spring decluttering and organizing.

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