Scavenger Hunt Tips for Children for Easter

Hide Easter eggs in easy-to-find places when small children are involved in the hunt.

Easter is a favorite holiday for many people. Children enjoy the presents, the candy and most of all, the hunt for the dyed Easter eggs. Add to the fun with a scavenger hunt for plastic "clue" eggs that earn kids -- or even adults -- prizes. Find a good area with clear boundaries for the Easter egg and scavenger hunt. When creating a hunt for small children give extra consideration to safety and to the fact that the eggs themselves do not have to be too well hidden.

Dying Eggs

Brightly colored dyes applied to Easter eggs make it easier for children to find them. The bright colors contrast with the natural colors of the grass, trees and bushes where most of the eggs are hidden. Boil the eggs before dying them. Dyes are easy to apply and children of all ages enjoy this activity in the days before the egg and scavenger hunt.

Plastic "Clue" Eggs

Divide participants into teams and give each its own separate list of objects to find. Also color-code the plastic "clue" eggs for each team. Advise team members not to disturb items or other teams' clue eggs. For example, team one can only take the blue plastic eggs and team two must find yellow eggs. The clue in each egg will tell each team where to look for a specific small item on their list such as a baseball, a crucifix or whatever you like.

Baskets

Place soft cushioning on the bottom of the baskets so that the eggs are not damaged during the hunt. Fake grass made from colored plastic sheeting makes a great cushion and looks festive too. The baskets should be appropriately sized for the children participating in the activity. Small children cannot effectively hunt for the treasured eggs while lugging a heavy and bulky basket about.

Prizes

Offer a prize for the team that the most dyed eggs at the end of the scavenger. You can offer a second-place prize for the runner up team if desired. The team that brings in all the items on its list wins a separate prize. Baskets of candy or even cash make good prizes.

Hiding Eggs

The goal is for the participants to find the eggs, especially the boiled and dyed eggs. Hide Easter eggs in various spots on the property but not so well that finding them all is unlikely. Easter eggs that are not found must be picked up again or they will eventually rot and start to smell. Instead, place them in easy-to-spot areas like the on grass or in bushes where the hunters can see and reach them. Eggs hidden around garden areas may cause damage to plants if overeager children trample them to get to the eggs.

References

• Disney Family Fun: "The Complete Easter Egg Hunt"