Peeling a Hard-Boiled Egg

Safety

Check the school's allergy list before offering this work; egg is one of the most common food allergies in young children.
The adult boils and cools the eggs away from the children, and keeps them in the refrigerator until the work starts.
Cooked eggs are not left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours, following USDA food safety guidance.
The adult checks the egg for shell pieces before the child eats it, because shell is sharp and hard to swallow.

1
Check the allergy list. Invite the child, wash hands together, and put on aprons.
2
Tap the egg on the tray several times until the shell cracks all around.
3
Place the egg on the tray under your palm and roll it slowly back and forth. The shell cracking into small pieces is the point of interest.
4
Find an edge of shell with a fingertip and pull off a piece. Put it in the shell bowl.
5
Hand the egg to the child. Wait while they pull off pieces. Show them how to dip the egg in the water when small pieces stick.
6
Look over the egg together for any shell left on it and remove it.
7
Cut the egg in half, then in quarters, with the butter knife, or let the child cut. The child sits and eats it, or offers pieces to friends.
8
Put the shells in the compost, empty the water bowl, and wash hands.

Shell left on the egg is visible and can be felt; a torn white shows the fingers pressed too hard.