Dear Snarky – Competitive Easter Egg Hunting

Dear Snarky,

Do you have any words of wisdom on how to keep an Easter Egg hunt family friendly? I come from a very competitive, large, family and we have a huge Easter Egg hunt every year. It was okay and kind of funny when my brothers and cousins would tackle or trip each other to get eggs before we all got married and had kids, but now it’s just dangerous and silly. How do we as a family stop the madness?

Signed, Cracked Egg

Dear Cracked,

Oh, how I can relate to this letter. We aren’t by chance related? Because my family for years had a throw down disguised as an Easter Egg hunt. It was hilarious, until as you pointed out in your letter, you add children to the mix. Now, the advice I’m about to give you is not something my family did because sadly no one in my family listens to me BUT I believe this is a solution Peter Cottontail would hop down the bunny trail for.

First, have age division and boundaries for the egg hunt. The little ones in the family can kick off the egg hunt by searching in their own area. This way the eggs are easier to find and they can run around without the fear of being accidentally knocked to the ground by Uncle Matt.

Keeping with the age theme, I would have all the adults go last and before someone says Ready, Set, Go make sure all the children are safely out of harms way. As the grown ups turn the egg hunt into a pro wrestling spectacle take joy in the knowledge that instead of putting candy in the adult eggs you have inserted fortune cookie like strips of paper that share thoughts on caring, kindness and family love. They might not take the hint but think of the fun you’ll have watching their faces as they open their eggs.

If you have a question for Dear Snarky email me at snarkyinthesuburbs@gmail.com

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1

Pre School Teacher on April 15, 2014 at 1:32 pm
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Good advice! We also follow the basket rule. Whatever is the color of your basket means those are the eggs you pick up.
2

Patty on April 15, 2014 at 1:33 pm
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As a part time youth minister and registered dietician I can’t tell you how much I loved your idea of putting notes of goodwill in the eggs instead of candy.
3

Pearl ;) on April 15, 2014 at 3:53 pm
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This “throw down” sounds like the Miley Cyrus Family Easter….or Honey Boo Boo. Snarky gave great advice on age groups and set a limit on # of eggs. If the “older kids” want to turn it into WWE Raw, get them a Nerf football and let them give each other the smack down when the little kids are filling themselves up with their candy.
4

applemoma on April 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm
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We did a cooperative hunt. Large groups just limit number of eggs, once the have found their quota, they can help others or play other games. If it a small group, we would have color coded eggs and depending on number of kids large plastic eggs orange, yellow, pink, blue, green and lavender. Find one of each color. Or with smaller eggs 2 of each color. They can be filled with elements of a trail mix, or stickers, little erasers, coins…candy, starburst jelly beans, nuts, sesame stix, little wrapped organic candies or malted milk eggs. A bag is provided or ziplock for each child to put the contents and some fun trading would go on.
5

ronnarosej on April 15, 2014 at 7:52 pm
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Our family’s big kid egg hunt consists of one, sometimes two eggs, stuffed with a folded $20 bill. Once the little guys have had their fun hunting for candy-filled eggs, the big obnoxious, and I do mean obnoxious, adults get their turn at hunting. Gramma and her sister usually do the hiding, and they are professionals at finding the spots that everyone tends to miss. Then all politeness and couth go out the window. Competition for the prize usually ends with one cousin or sibling mad at another, a bloody nose or lip, and dropped expletives. But all in the name of fun! Buck, buck, Easter Bunny!