Easter can mean different things to different people — but one fun activity that everyone can enjoy is a Sunday morning Easter egg hunt! So, whether it’s for the kids or the whole family, here are 20 backyard Easter egg hunt ideas to add a touch of flair and excitement to your scavenger hunt.
Sky high
In a backyard Easter egg hunt, the first place that draws your attention is the ground. But who says the eggs will be there? So, why not wrap your Easter eggs in brightly coloured tissue paper and string them to low tree branches? It’s a fantastic way to add some excitement to the search and add a spray of colour to your yard for Easter.
Hunting Hats
A great way to start a backyard Easter egg hunt is to ensure the first treasure they find is an Easter egg hunting hat! You can either get the kids to make their hats as a fun ‘crafternoon’ activity or buy a hat from a supermarket or discount shop if you’re short on time. Next, place the hat near their bed with an egg hunt invitation and a hunting basket and start their morning off with a flash of excitement.
Bunny trails
Create a trail of Easter Bunny footprints for the kids to follow — either directly from their bed to various clusters of eggs or as little hints for extra-tricky hiding places. They can be stuck to floorboards or trailed around the yard. Try mixing some flour and glitter to make magic-dust footprints if you’re feeling extra creative!
Raise the stakes
Using paddle-pop sticks or kebab skewers, stake the Easter eggs into the lawn or garden beds. The eggs will appear as if they are growing out of the earth. It will give the Easter egg hunt a more magical atmosphere, provide some extra-tricky hiding opportunities, and look lovely and bright against the natural foliage.
Riddle me this
If your Easter egg hunters are a bit older, create fun riddles as clues to where each egg is hidden. For example, present the riddles in a little booklet, or place a hint with each egg. Then, each discovery will lead to another!
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‘X’ marks the spot backyard Easter egg hunt
Arrre you looking to add a sense of adventure to your backyard Easter egg hunt? An old-fashioned treasure hunt map can reimagine your backyard features as mapped landmarks. That kennel for the family dog? Turn it into a monster’s cave! Have a water feature? Now it’s a waterfall! Use your imagination with your maps — your Easter egg hunters will love it. Use teabags or coffee to give your map an antique appearance!
Gotcha!
To add a mischievous element to the hunt, mix chocolate eggs with fake ones! For example, buy plastic, hollow eggs to fill with confetti or prank notes. Or paint a bright pattern on rocks from the garden, or use chocolate egg foil to wrap small pebbles and make them look like real eggs.
Now I know my A, B, C
On each Easter egg, write a letter of the alphabet. Then get the kids to lay them out in alphabetical order and see which letters they still need to find! It’s a wonderful way to keep the search exciting and easy to track where each letter is hiding. Don’t forget to write a list of your hiding places if the hunters need a hint!
All tied up
Why not merge the thrill of a backyard Easter egg hunt with the clumsiness of a three-legged race for some extra laughs! Use strips of soft, fun material to bind the right and left legs of two hunters. Then watch them figure out how to work as a team or stumble in a heap. But make sure there’s a soft lawn for them to fall on.
Go, team, go!
Add a competitive edge to the hunt by having two or three teams. Perhaps each group could have a minute each to find all the eggs. Or simply a fast-paced free-for-all where the teams count their total findings at the end. Then plan a prize for the winning team like a giant Easter egg or a penalty for the losing team such as having to unwrap all the winner’s eggs for them.
Floating on air
Balloons are a festive decoration for all occasions, so why not at Easter? To make it easier for younger hunters, tie helium balloons around hiding spots as a fun guide. Or, for older hunters, use helium balloons as fun ways to write clues and riddles!
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Chasing rainbows
To make the hunting game fair for every player, hide an even number of different coloured eggs and assign a colour to each hunter. Perhaps allow players to pick a colour out of a hat or a coloured accessory to wear. Alternatively, you can leave an egg basket by their bed when they wake up. Get creative with it!
No peeking backyard Easter egg hunt
Blindman’s Bluff, Murder in the Dark, Pin the Tail on the Donkey — these games include one crucial element: blindfolds! Spread the Easter eggs in an open space and watch the hunters try to feel around to find the eggs. Or merge with the colour-coding idea and have each hunter have a number of specific eggs to find. Then, a partner on the side lines can use the “hot or cold” system to guide the hunter to the eggs.
¡Los huevos, por favour!
If your yard space is limited, or if wet weather is threatening to dampen your plans, a piñata is a fun alternative to the traditional scavenger hunt. First, fill a piñata with Easter eggs, then allow each blindfolded player 5-10 seconds with the bat, ensuring everyone gets a turn. Then, when the piñata breaks and the eggs are loose, the blindfolded players scramble to collect as many eggs as possible.
Pass it on
Another twist on a traditional party game is the Easter egg pass-the-parcel:
- Mix chocolate eggs with fun Easter treats such as fuzzy chicks, party hats, etc.
- Layer them between fun Easter wrapping paper, or newspaper, with a giant egg in the middle.
- Gather your hunters in a circle, press play on your favourite party tune and let the games begin!
For an added giggle, assign a dare to each layer.
Sprinkler Challenge
If you’re in a warm climate, cool the kids down and put sprinklers next to the clusters of eggs — your little hunters will love having to brave the spray to capture their treasure!
Digging for gold
Turn it into an archaeological dig for a fresh Easter egg hunt idea! This idea is especially perfect for anyone with a sandpit or play trough. However, a blow-up pool, bucket or large container will suffice! Bury a few foil-wrapped Easter eggs in dirt or sand and dampen them with water, leaving them to dry overnight. In the morning, equip your hunters with a brush and spoon as excavation tools, and let them work uncovering their delicious Easter fossils! A great fusion between messy play and a special treat.
Egg roll
To make things a bit trickier, add a couple of chopsticks! It’s a fun way to develop fine motor skills and makes things much funnier for hunters and onlookers alike.
Over, under backyard Easter egg hunt
Make your egg-hunters work for their treats with a gross motor obstacle course! Use tunnels, ladders, balance beams, hula hoops and slides. Or, for a super simple course or maze, use crepe paper rolls to create a tangle for the kids to squeeze, squirm and crawl through! If building this maze for youngsters, try to stick to materials that will tear if fallen on or tangled in, such as crepe paper or masking tape, for safety reasons.
Follow the glow
For a beautiful twist, plan your scavenger hunt at night and use glow in the dark plastic eggs to hide your treasures in! Or, for a DIY version, light the hiding place with a glow stick. Your backyard will transform into a magical Easter wonderland — and the hunters can collect their glow sticks around their wrists!
These innovative ideas are only some of many ways to add a twist to a fun family tradition backyard Easter egg hunt. Add personal touches or craft activities to any of these tips and tricks to tailor it to your taste. No matter which you choose, it’s sure to add a playful element to the day’s festivities. Happy hunting to all!
