Cute baby animals, jellybeans, chocolate bunnies, and Peeps—all of these are old standards around Easter time, along with a lot of hard-boiled eggs. The tradition of loading up on eggs for holiday decorating is a festive one, but it’s also cause for concern to anyone worried about the welfare of the birds that produce the eggs and the environmental impacts of the poultry industry. The United States produces more than 75 billion eggs a year, most of which come from chickens kept in overcrowded and poorly kept factory co-ops that can contaminate surrounding waterways.

If you’re hunting for alternatives to hard-boiled eggs, look no further. We’ve got a list of replacements that are cruelty-free, ecologically sound, and Easter Bunny approved.

Eggnots 
Want that classic dip-dyeing egg-sperience? Consider Eggnots: dyeable ceramic eggs created by Cheryl Spielman, whose niece was diagnosed with a severe allergy to eggs that made her unable to even touch them. These realistic, nonperishable, and ecofriendly stand-ins will last well beyond the Easter holiday. The eggs come in six, 12, and 18 packs ranging from $9.95 to $21.95. The dye kit is sold separately for $5.95, but Eggnots also provides a recipe so you can make your own dye out of food coloring, vinegar, and water. If you want to take your creation to the next level, throw on a pair of googly-eyes and felt bunny ears.

Wooden Eggs 

Wooden eggs are another vegan-friendly alternative that make great canvases for anything from paints to glitter glue. These creations can also be perched on wooden holders for display. Use coffee grains to make a natural (and vegan) hardwood stain. Or, for a more colorful and traditional look, grab some liquid watercolors and beeswax wood polish. The heavy-duty orbs fare well in raucous Easter egg hunts or fun Easter games like the egg roll.

Photo courtesy of Kelly Meier

Shaving Cream Eggs

If you happen to have vegan shaving cream and some acrylic paints lying around, you’re all set for a messy but beautiful Easter-egg-themed craft. Cut some cardstock into egg shapes. Spray the shaving cream in a tray, and then add drops of the acrylics all over the shaving cream. Swirl a paintbrush, toothpick, or fork through the shaving cream, and place the egg cutouts on the concoction. Press gently, and you’ll get beautiful two-dimensional decorations to put up around the house. 

Photo courtesy of Art for Kids and Robots 

String Eggs 
Grab the floss left over from all those friendship bracelets, a pack of water balloons, and a ton of glue for another quirky take on classic Easter decorations. Blow the balloon into an egglike shape, and pour the glue into a bowl. Coat the balloon, then weave the strings around it. Wait until your creation is dry, then take a pin and pop the balloon. You’ll have yourself a funky weblike Easter egg. Note: Balloons aren’t the most ecologically sound crafting material—make sure you pull out the pieces once you’ve popped the balloon and dispose of them properly. At least these decorations will last, which is one sustainability factor in their favor. 
 

Photo couresy of Sweet & Sara

 Vegan Candy Eggs and Other Treats  
If you’re in the Easter-celebrating camp that ditches egg decorating entirely and just goes straight to candy bingeing, Moo Free is for you. The brand offers dairy-free, gluten-free, and lactose-free Easter eggs and other vegan treats to fill up your Easter basket. Also check out YumEarth for licorice, lollipops, and fruit snacks. And if you still want your Peeps fix, Sweet & Sara offers a variety of vegan marshmallow-shaped critters.  

Eco Eggs 
Lastly, let’s not forget about all of those colorful plastic eggs that are ubiquitous at Easter and, while not animal products, are environmentally problematic. If you need shells in which to place your candy, consider Eco Eggs: plant-based-plastic Easter eggs that come in a variety of brightly colored hues and are fully compostable. The company even makes compostable Eco Grass in which to nestle your candy stash.