It’s almost that time of year when the Easter Bunny hops into town! If you’re parenting a toddler (or any age kiddo for that matter), Easter is such a fun holiday to celebrate! There are so many "eggcelent" activities for toddlers and older kids (OK, we know it's cheesy, but hopefully that made you giggle!). And, of course, an egg hunt is probably the best way to get those littles (of all ages) up and enjoying the spirit of this season.
Luckily, it's really easy to put a great hunt together on the fly. We’ve got the tips that will help you plan a stellar celebration just in time for the big day.
PICK A DATE AND LOCATION
Your hunt doesn’t need to happen on Easter—in fact it may even be better to pick a different date and extend the Easter Bunny fun! If you’re planning a large community event, it probably makes most sense to choose an outdoor location (with a rain date just in case). Just a few kids? Limit it to your yard or an outdoor park. Just make sure whatever space you choose is safe (away from roads and traffic).
PUT TOGETHER A MENU
This is the perfect opportunity to try out some of those fun recipes you’ve seen online—little rice crisp baskets and Easter Bunny shaped rolls (yes, this is a thing).
GET YOUR SUPPLIES TOGETHER
What do you need for a great Easter egg hunt? The supplies are simple—eggs (plastic ones are ideal), and treats (to stash in the eggs). Make sure you’re not short-handed—estimate around 10-15 eggs per child. If you’re asking guests to bring their own baskets, pick up a few extra to have on hand (just in case anyone forgets). You can also think about having children decorate their own paper bags to use as “baskets”—it makes for great Easter crafts. Stickers and crayons are all you need for this fun and affordable alternative!
It may seem obvious, but the best Easter egg hunts aren’t just about sugar—there are so many non-candy alternatives that kids will love. Think about tattoos, marbles (for the older kids, of course), Lego, and bubbles. Target’s dollar section can be a gold mine around this time of year—you can stock up on mini erasers, bouncy balls, and stickers. Stash a few dollar bills into some "money eggs" and throw them into the mix. Or, put a larger bill into a golden "money egg".
PLAN THE DECOR
Let your kids get involved in the prep! There are so many fun ways to get your house Easter-ready. And what kid doesn't love a fun Easter Bunny craft?
HIDE YOUR EGGS—BE CREATIVE!
If the weather’s cooperating, an outdoor hunt is ideal—we bet you can find plenty of great hiding spots in your yard or garden. Planters and tree branches are some of the more obvious ones—mail boxes and covered bins make things a little more challenging. It probably goes without saying, but try and tailor your strategy to your audience (so to speak). Older children will appreciate a more challenging hunt, while the little ones need something a bit easier. And don’t worry if you’ve got to take the egg hunt inside—you can still find creative spots to stash your Easter eggs. Here’s a great list of 10 unconventional places to hide Easter eggs—both outdoor and indoor—if you’re struggling for ideas. Just be sure to make the boundaries for your egg hunt clear—you want the kids to know where they should be looking.
MAKE A HUNT PLAN
What parent hasn’t heard “it’s not fair!” on occasion? And although life isn’t always fair (ain’t that the truth!), you’ve got to decide how your going to deal with the issue of equity and the Easter egg hunt. Maybe you’re planning an all-out free-for-all (which certainly makes for some traditional egg hunt fun!). But if you’re dealing with a mixture of older and younger kids (or all little ones), you may want to level the playing field. Consider assigning each child a color of egg—like blue, orange or pink—they’ll be responsible for collecting only their color. Let the little kids out first to get a head start. Or match an older child with a younger one and encourage teamwork. Whatever strategy you choose, be clear on expectations and rules—It will cut down on any post-hunt drama.
HAVE FUN
Remember—this is supposed to be about having fun! You’ve done what you need to prepare, now it’s time to sit back, relax, and watch the kiddos enjoy themselves.