Bunny trails
Create a trail of Easter Bunny footprints for the kids to follow. They can be stuck to floorboards or trailed around the garden.
Egg detectives
If your Easter egg hunters are a bit older, create fun clues to where each egg is hidden. Start with one clue to the first egg and then place a hint with each egg. Then, each discovery will lead to another!
‘X’ marks the spot
An old-fashioned treasure hunt map can reimagine your garden features. Your garden shed can become a cave, or if you have a water feature – now it’s a waterfall! You can even ‘age’ the paper you use to make your map by rubbing it with a used tea bag for an antique appearance.
ABCs
For younger kids, write a letter of the alphabet on each Easter egg. Tell the kids how many letters there are to find (for example, find the first 6 letters of the alphabet). Then get the kids to lay them out in alphabetical order and see which letters they still need to find! Don’t forget to write a list of your hiding places if the hunters need a hint!
Find your name
Glue letters of the alphabet to your eggs before you hide them. Whether each child has to find the letters to spell their own name or the whole family has to work together to figure out a word jumble, this egg hunt idea is a great way to get everyone thinking about more than just chocolate!
Too much chocolate?
Plastic eggs are easier to prepare ahead of time and are generally better if you're hiding them outdoors in warm weather. Fill them with small toys, lollies, or numbers that correspond to bigger prizes. If you're hosting an egg hunt for toddlers, make sure the eggs are filled with items that don't contain small choking hazards. You can also use these year after year.
Chocolate alternatives
Some kids are allergic to chocolate – consider alternative gifts like books, stuffed toys, and craft material. Choose small gifts so they can still be part of the hunt surprise.
Some creative hiding spots include:-
Nestled in tree branches at eye level
-
Tucked into flowerpots or garden beds
-
Balanced on fence posts
-
Placed in the nooks of tree trunks
-
Camouflaged among similar-coloured flower beds
-
Positioned in plain sight, but blending with surroundings
To keep track of what you’ve put where, take photos of hiding spots. Count the total number of eggs hidden and list the different colours or types. This helps ensure all eggs are found, and makes the post-hunt tidy-up easier.
