Easter egg hunts are a part of our family tradition each year. I grew up having at least one Easter egg hunt during the season and typically more. One at church, one in the neighborhood, usually one with all my cousins. I have the best memories of racing around trying to get the most into my basket. I wouldn’t care if I dirtied up my white tights and frilly dress, I wanted to get the most eggs.
Even as a young adult, my mom would still hide eggs around the house for when my brother and I would come over to celebrate the season. It got entirely too competitive to the point where I asked if we could also have an egg hunt for my birthday…in June.
My kids are now in that sort of in-between stage at ages 10 and 13. My 13-year old likes to play it cool but I know he absolutely still loves the traditions of things like Easter egg hunts. My 10-year old will still dye eggs with me a few days before as part of our tradition and a way to really be embracing the season. I am soaking up this time because I know soon enough she too will want to play it cool.
When my kids were younger, egg hunts were easier in some ways. I didn’t have to hide the eggs very well and I could put almost anything in them and it would bring sheer excitement.
Now that they are older and I still want to keep the tradition alive, it gets a little trickier. My 13-year old doesn’t get excited over one piece of candy in an egg that he had to run around the yard to find. Go figure.
I was thinking about all the years I have been a mom and this will be my 14th Easter coordinating a hunt in some fashion. I guess that makes me kind of an expert if there is such a thing. I also have ideas for a stress free hunt.
GettyImages | Black Brush
If you are struggling for what to put into these plastic eggs this season, here are some ideas. Pro-tip, invest in some jumbo eggs so that you can fit items and not just rely on candy.
Babies through very early toddler- I honestly suggest nothing in the eggs. I recall when my kids were very young, they just loved the process of finding the eggs. I would re-hide those things a dozen times and they got excited each time. One single sticker is a fun idea if they are getting to the age where they expect something in the egg.
Toddler through Kindergarten– Single pieces of candy is an obvious idea. You can also put items like goldfish crackers and animal crackers if you want non-candy items. They make play doh eggs which I think is a brilliant idea and very age appropriate unless your little one likes eating the play doh. Stickers and band-aids were always a huge hit with my kids at these ages. These finger puppets are super cute. Pieces of sidewalk chalk if your eggs are large enough, keychains. The Dollar Store can come in handy with little items but use caution that nothing is a choking hazard. At this age, they still love just finding the eggs, so another tip is to ensure you hide an absolute ton to keep them busy for a while.
Elementary– mini nail polish (yes, some will fit!), stickers for younger elementary, most anything from the Dollar Store, miniature squishy things that all kids seem to love, coins are great for this age, throw in a few dollar bills to really get them excited. Candy is still a hit at this age. Keychains are still usually a crowd pleaser as is really anything related to slime or fidget items. My daughter loves these miniature ducks, I have no idea why but they are the perfect size for an Easter egg.
GettyImages | Noblige
Pieces of paper with coupons for things like “one night of no vegetables” or “stay up 15 minutes late on a school night” are also fun ideas.
Middle School-High School– Here is where it gets really tricky in my opinion. My 13-year-old has already said he would rather just not have anything in the eggs versus having one piece of candy. I decided for this year, I am going to have three categories for my eggs:
1) Eggs with nothing in them
2) Eggs with dollar bills
3) Eggs with a piece of paper inside that then corresponds to a numbered prize. I will likely have probably 4-6 prizes and will probably make it so each of my kids gets the same number, somehow.
The prizes might be a small $5 gift card or little miniature of something they like such as a lotion for my daughter.
I may also get little Dollar Store items like fidget things that I know even my teenager likes. The coupons that I mentioned for elementary age are also still a great idea for the older kids.
Do you have ideas? We’d love to hear!
Praying for a wonderful and joyous Easter to all of you.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1-3)
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