Egg dyeing has long been a colorful spring tradition, but the PAAS Ultimate Coloring Egg Decorating Kit brings it to a whole new level – with an overwhelming number of pouches, packets, and instructions. This year, journalism students at WEGO put the kit to the test.

When opened, the kit is a bit overwhelming. Fourteen decorative pouches were included, with stickers, color tablets, glitter, and egg dip sticks. However, the box also claimed it contained glue sticks and cloths – both of which were missing entirely.

Like many dye kits, this one was messy, and not suitable for young children without direct adult supervision. Though the label warns that it contains choking hazards for those under three, a more realistic age recommendation would be closer to ten. Anything younger might be in over their head (and elbow-deep in dye).

The instructions were long and repetitive, and gloves should have been included to prevent dyed fingers. Still, despite the disorganization and missing items, the kit did deliver on its core promise: it was fun. Journalism students enjoyed decorating eggs and embracing the mess, even if the cleanup took some effort.

At $6.00, the PAAS Ultimate Coloring Egg Decorating Kit’s price feels a bit steep given the missing supplies and chaos—but the joy of dyeing eggs together made up for many of the flaws.

3/5 stars

Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Purple. Pink.

All of these colors are used to dye Easter eggs in the spring. From classic vinegar and dye kits to coloring with pens, egg decorating remains a tradition that entertains kids and teenagers alike. But what if those colors could be applied with a pen, rather than a cup of vinegar?

For $6.00 at Meijer, the Crayola Egg Dye Color Pens kit offers four empty pens to fill with purple, pink, yellow, and blue dye. The kit also includes stickers to customize eggs and make them more unique. But while the concept is creative, the reality is less charming.

The kit is extremely messy and best attempted as a two-person job: one to hold the pen and another to pour in the dye. The instructions are simple and easy to follow—Step 1: twist off the top; Step 2: use the funnel to add dye; Step 3: squeeze to decorate. It ends with the cheerful prompt, “Have fun decorating!”

Still, for those without artistic flair, creating beautiful eggs can be a challenge. Pinterest offers inspiration, but when a teenager draws on an egg, the result can sometimes resemble something out of a kindergarten classroom.

In the end, Crayola might want to stick to crayons – or at the very least, provide wipes for easier cleanup.

2/5 stars

For those looking for less stress and more shimmer, the PAAS Glitter Color Cups kit delivers. Priced at $6.00 and widely available at retailers like Meijer, the kit includes five glitter-infused dye tablets and color cups for mess-minimized decorating.

Compared to other kits tested, this one stood out for its ease of use. The process is straightforward: drop a tablet in vinegar, mix, and dip. Once the egg is coated, glitter is sprinkled on top while the surface is still wet – no glue or extra materials required.

While the glitter can make a mess if not handled carefully, it is a far cry from the chaos of other kits with missing parts or overly complex instructions. The vivid colors and sparkle-heavy finish made this kit especially appealing to younger users, though the results earned praise from teens as well.

The final eggs were bright, eye-catching, and fun to make. If a low-effort, high-impact kit is the goal, this one is hard to beat- just have a paper towel handy to catch stray glitter.

4/5 stars