Look no further for the perfect egg decorating party activity -- kids of all ages will have a blast with this. have the eggs painted black ahead of time so everyone can delve right in and draw.

GATHER
• Blown eggs, as many as desired, clean and dry
• Black chalkboard paint (spray or brush-on)
• Small flat paintbrush (if using brush-on paint)
• Coloured chalk
• Paper towel
• Tiny magnets and glue (optional)

CREATE
1 Paint the eggs and let them dry. If you are using spray paint, work outdoors or in a ventilated space.

2 To create a bond for the designs, cover the surface of each egg with any colour chalk and then, using a paper towel, gently rub off the chalk.

3 Draw a design on each egg freehand, using as many colours as you like.

4 If you'd like to display an egg on your refrigerator or a memo board, glue a tiny magnet to its back.

Tip: Young kids will love doing this project. Remind them ot be gentle

Matthew Mead is the style editor at Country Home magazine, Holiday with Matthew Mead, and a line of ornaments with Wedgwood and The American Folk Art Museum. He lives in New Hampshire.

Excerpted from Easter Eggs: 40 Fabulous Projects for the Whole Family by Matthew Mead. Copyright 2007 by Matthew Mead and Downtown Bookworks Inc. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced without permission in writing from the publisher.