The Easter egg hunt has been a tradition during the springtime for hundreds of years. The egg represents the rebirth of the upcoming spring. During lawn parties, festivals, or a quiet morning at home, an Easter egg hunt is a great way to get the children excited and moving around. For some, the egg hunts have been getting a little tired and worn out. For the younger children, it is a new challenge with extraordinary prizes. There are several tips to make sure you create a unique experience for toddlers and those just starting out.
The challenge of hiding the egg should be based on the capabilities of the child. Some hiding spots can be easier than others but there is nothing worse than a child becoming frustrated over not finding any eggs. Mix up the hiding spots and vary the difficulty. Use the children’s other toys to interact with the eggs, as if the doll was cradling it, or if the egg was posing with the action figures. This will spark the imagination of the child and add another layer of interest.
Use different colors for the eggs. This helps them with their cognitive skills by being able to tell the difference. Have each color egg be a different theme, or hold a different prize. If the age range of the searchers is wide than use the different colors to denote whose eggs are whose or hide certain color eggs in more hard to find locations. Instruct the children of this rule and the older ones will stay out of the way of the younger ones.
You can even make this occasion a learning opportunity. Put certain puzzles in the eggs to lead to more candy or toys. Give obvious clues and make the answers apparent so the child will be guaranteed a prize. Another option is to put a different letter on each egg. Then, after all the eggs have been found have the children use the letters to create words. Those who are able to create words, or the longest word, win an extra prize.
You can take egg hunts a step further by adding a treasure map. Use clues, riddles, or puzzles to create a scavenger hunt, too. Use big pictures and obvious directions to direct the child easily to the treasure.
If you are worried about feeding sugar and candy as prizes think outside the egg and stuff them with toys and themed figurines to keep the excitement up without raising the blood sugar levels. Keep them age appropriate and even tuned to the children’s interests. Remember to keep small toys away from toddlers to prevent possible choking hazards.
The main idea for the egg hunt is to keep the thrill of the hunt up. Add excitement and intrigue for the children and they will keep up the enthusiasm and keep searching until the last egg is found. Mix up candy and toys to your prescribed ratio to keep things fun and healthy. It is important to keep things age appropriate and not make the challenge too difficult. Remember to set boundaries and rules and keep things closely supervised to prevent injuries or accidents.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About the author:
This is a guest post by Lindsey Mcmahon, a part-time guest-blogger and a full-time private tour organizer. She suggests you check out World Market Easter section for more ideas.
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Parenting