Sure it may be the “norm,” but Easter eggs don’t need to be filled with candy. This year, start a new (and healthier!) Easter egg hunt tradition—and make it just as fun! Here are five fun ways to incorporate movement into your family’s Easter traditions. Plus, we’ve included a list of community egg hunts in Northern Michigan.
5 Healthy Easter Egg Activities
- We’re calling them egg-cercises! Instead of stuffing colorful plastic eggs with sugar-filled jelly beans, try encouraging exercise and education. Write down fun activities for your kiddos to do and include them in the eggs instead. Is your little one learning to count? Or do you have an aspiring gymnast? Tailor the activities to your kids’ interests and age level. Examples include: “Do seven bunny hops;” “Do a somersault;” “Take five dinosaur stomps.” Once they complete all the activities, celebrate by gifting a jump rope or book in their Easter basket.
- Love football traditions? You may like this next idea. Cornhole is a staple during fall football tailgates—how about making it a springtime activity, too? It’s simple to create an Easter Bunny Cornhole using a large piece of cardboard and a hand-drawn Easter rabbit. Cut out a hole on the belly to toss plastic eggs through. If you limit the number of eggs your kids can throw per turn, they’ll be running back and forth to try their tosses over and over again!
- Make your own bunny trail. Draw rabbit footprints with chalk along the sidewalk or driveway, and place small piles of eggs near each spot. Or, head to your family’s favorite hiking trail! The result? Less hunting and more walking!
- Have competitors at home? Try racing eggs! Have family members take turns rolling decorated hard-boiled eggs down a hill. The egg that travels the furthest wins! You can make up different rules as the competition continues, guaranteeing lots of trips running up and down the hill.
- Our last at-home Easter egg activity is a classic. Have your kids balance an egg on a spoon, then move as fast as they can. Going in circles, hopping like a bunny, or racing to the finish line—your kids will definitely enjoy this egg-cercise! Bonus: balance activities followed by reading increases both reading scores and physical education skills in youth, so replace candy with books in their Easter basket. Read more about that here.
9 Northern Michigan Easter Egg Hunts
- A visit from the Easter bunny, an egg hunt, face painting, refreshments and more will be happening throughout Charlevoix on April 20. Events start at 2 p.m. Learn more.
- Hunt for eggs on the softball field of West Side Community Church in Traverse City beginning at 11 a.m. on April 20. Learn more.
- On April 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Lifehouse Assembly is hosting their annual egg hunt in Cadillac with 10,000 eggs. Learn more.
- Hosted by the Frankfort-Elberta Chamber of Commerce, the Easter Bunny will be visiting Mineral Springs Park in Frankfort along with an egg hunt on April 20 at 10 a.m. Learn more.
- Find a golden egg amongst a crowd of hundreds of Easter eggs and win a special Easter basket at Crystal Mountain’s egg hunt April 20 starting at 10 a.m. in Thompsonville. Learn more.
- Join the fun for another city-wide egg hunt! The hunt starts April 15 and will go through April 20! Search for one of a dozen eggs that will be hidden around the city with great prizes inside! Learn more.
- With two heats for different ages, Lake Ann’s first annual egg hunt is going to be a hit! Learn more.
- Bring your children and family to meet the Easter Bunny. They’ll have an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bonnet parade and contest, musical chairs, face painting and games. Learn more.
- Blair Township is gearing up for their annual Easter egg hunt! Learn more.