This season of Lent – a forty day season which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, is a time for many things. It’s focusing on my relationship with God and a time when the older children will be encouraged to freely offer to give something up – often times this is a favorite stuffed animal/toy, barbie or Lego man.
In light of the joyful Resurrection of Jesus and because I have children, I celebrate the Resurrection by also preparing for our ‘Family Easter Egg Hunt’ a tradition we started about seven years ago. I will do the preparations for the Easter egg hunt before Holy Week – because I am a bit of a planner.
Also, know that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to make this day extra special and memorable for the children. My kids don’t know an expensive plastic egg from the next, so it’s OK. If you decide to visit your local Dollar Store or anywhere else, trust that everything will turn out fantastic.
> As for food, I’ll do something that won’t take too much time to do, we’ll serve the kids pancakes and assemble a type of bar toppings, with mini chocolate chips, fresh blueberries, strawberries and whip cream, chocolate milk and orange juice.
> I will assemble the eggs, store them in shopping bags and place them in the fridge to preserve the candy – as far back in the fridge as I can! Tip – since you will be tossing the eggs on the grass – gently, at times they will open apart, to avoid this problem on Easter day, simply place a tiny piece of scotch tape on the opening edge.
> Easter Sunday afternoon we will go to our local park – one with more greenery area as oppose to an actual playground-ish area, sit the kids facing the opposite direction of where the hunt will be and we will then spread the eggs on the grass area for them. The excitement in the children is like no other.
I have in the past went to stores like my local party store for candy or decorations and have always gone back to Target for better deals – so this year, it’s where I’ve gone back to. Tip – save your decorations and/or kids baskets for later years, it’ll save you time and money. Also, keep in mind that with Target, you can also order online and pick up in-store for free. And for this mama of 6, this is a time saver!
For a Home Front Window ⁄ ⁄ Easter Window Gel Cling for $1.50
For an Indoors Banner ⁄ ⁄ ‘Happy Easter’ Banner for $5.00 or this Easter Floral Paper Garland for $5.00
Easter Plates ⁄ ⁄ Easter Plates 10ct for $3.00
Matching Napkins ⁄ ⁄ Easter Napkins 20ct for $3.00 and
Easter Drinking Cups ⁄ ⁄ Easter Drinking Cups 10ct for $2.00
Candy ⁄ ⁄ I try to stay away from chocolates like Snickers, as one of my boys has a nut and peanut allergy. These are a few of our favorites Easter ‘Airheads’ Mini Bars for $2.69 or Starburst Easter Jelly Beans for $2.69 or Original Starburst for $2.69 or ‘Crunch’ Chocolate Easter Nest Eggs for $3.69
Kids Easter Baskets ⁄ ⁄ I have a few Easter baskets from years past that are still in great condition however I still manage to buy one or two new ones each year – either because we invited someone, etc. This is the Pink Easter Felt Bunny Basket for $3.00 so, definitely check their kids Easter basket inventory
Easter Eggs ⁄ ⁄ Easter Fillable Plastic Eggs 48ct for $2.50 – I will usually count one dozen eggs per child. It seems like a lot, but the kids truly enjoy running around filling their baskets with eggs. So, if you can, count the number of children participating, family kids and/or friends before purchasing the Easter eggs. And of course, there’s no Egg Hunt without a Golden Egg. There’s this Jumbo Golden Egg for $5.00 or you can also have a Regular size Golden Egg – or two. I’ve had two Golden Eggs at a time in past years because the kids just enjoy looking for it so much. Just place an extra special something inside, say two candies instead of one or $1.00 Tip: Don’t just fill these up with candy, stop by the Target Dollar Section and place small trinkets, like small toy cars, last year I found tiny rubber chickens – can’t even tell you how fun these were!
Games ⁄ ⁄ Since the children always want to spend more time at the park, I take games. I have the potato sack game + an egg and spoon game – I found these at Target Sack Race Lawn Game and the Wooden Egg + Spoon Game they’re so fun and the kids can’t get enough of these!
I have enjoyed sharing our family Easter Egg Hunt tradition with you and hope you have gathered some fun ideas for the start of your very own family Easter tradition with your kids. Because it’s never too late to start something new! Happy (early) Easter.
-Ana
Photo: Annie Spratt
Mom Life With Chiari 