Tips for Planning an Egg-stra Special Easter Party

Bunnies & chicks, colourful eggs, and the hunt for hidden chocolate. It's no wonder kids await the arrival of Easter with such eager anticipation. While many families have their own private rituals to celebrate this springtime holiday, this year consider throwing an Easter party for friends and family. Wondering how? Just follow these tips for foolproof egg hunts, crafts and races to entertain your guests, and tasty treats to entice your tireless hunters to the table. This party plan is sure to please.

The Hunt

The egg hunt is the highlight of most Easter parties. However, how do you ensure even the smallest hunters get their fair share of the eggs? Here are some time-tested tips:

? Put the participants' names on the eggs in advance, and/or assign a colour to each child, if using plastic eggs.
? Assign different search areas based on age. Smaller children's eggs might be in plain view, while others are harder to find.

Looking to add a twist? Here are some variations on the traditional hunt:

? Instead of chocolate eggs, use jellybeans to add difficulty.
? Use hollow plastic eggs, each with a small treat such as a candy, temporary tattoo, a few coins, or even a clue to a larger prize.
? Working alone or in teams, each solves clues leading to other clues, and eventually to the Easter treats. Have different clue trails for each child or team.
? Have the kids hide the eggs and make the parents look for them

Activities

Keep the excitement going after the hunt by trying out some of these games:

? Egg Bowling. Using colored hard-boiled eggs and one white, roll the white one onto the lawn or rug, and see who can roll their coloured egg the closest.

? An "Egg-citing" Obstacle Course. A variation of the egg & spoon race, teams navigate their way around and through various obstacles without dropping their eggs. If an egg drops off your spoon, you can start again, or do an agreed upon penalty, such as five jumping jacks or singing a silly song.

? Egg Roll. Using only their noses, people must roll an egg across the finish line, five to ten feet away. This also makes a good relay.

Food

By now, your little guests will no doubt be ready for a snack. In addition to any other delicious treats you plan, let them decorate an Easter Basket Cupcake. Here's how:

You'll need:
? cupcakes (one per person, but a few extra are a good idea)
? your favourite homemade or prepared frosting
? shredded coconut (preferably green or yellow)
? colourful jellybeans
? pipe cleaners (one per cupcake)
? plastic knives

Using a plastic knife, have the kids frost the top of their cupcakes. Next sprinkle coconut around the outside edges of the cupcake, leaving the middle clear. Then, place several jellybeans in the middle. Finally, bend pipe cleaners into U-shapes, and poke the ends into the cupcakes to form basket's handles. Enjoy!

Easter Egg Art

Then, with only a few inexpensive craft supplies from the store or around your house, give a twist on the traditional colouring of eggs with these ideas:

? Marbleized Eggs. Add 1-tablespoon of vegetable oil to your egg dye. Lightly stir and immediately dip your egg into the liquid and remove. Let dry and repeat the process with another colour for interesting effects.

? Egg Animals. Go beyond dipping and dyeing by creating colourful critters out of your eggs. Use craft supplies to create pipe cleaners legs and horns, pom-pom noses, paper ears, googlie-eyes, feathers and more. Markers also work well. White glue or a low-temperature glue gun works well with some supervision. Themes might include barnyard animals, creatures from outer space, or even family members. Have a contest and take lots of pictures.

? Eggshell Mosaics. Need a use for those cracked or broken coloured eggs from your relays? Break up the eggshells into pieces that are small enough to lie flat, but not so small they are hard to handle. Sort into piles by colour. On a thin piece of cardboard, draw a simple design with a dark pen or marker. Spread a thin coat of white glue onto part of the design, and fill it in with eggshell pieces. Continue until the design is complete. Try not to cover up your outline. Let it dry overnight and enjoy.

Whether you decide to entertain just your family, your friends, or invite the entire neighbourhood, everyone is sure to enjoy themselves at your "egg-stra" special Easter party.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Award-winning educator, speaker and author Rob Stringer coaches parents with his upbeat approach to learning and parenting. Explore articles, activities and learn how to create the family you desire.

BONUS: Subscribe to the FREE monthly "Parenting with Intention" newsletter and automatically receive a special report, 25 Tips to Help Your Child Succeed In School. Sign up at http://www.robstringer.com/newsletter.htm or send a blank email to pwi-subscribe@aweber.com and join our growing list of readers.

---

Holiday Dieting: A Sweet Way To Cheat!

If your diet is making you a humbug this season,... Read More

Secrets to a Stress Free Holiday

December and all the excitement that comes with it can... Read More

Dont Want Another Carpet Sweeper This Year For Christmas?

Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they... Read More

Aran... Where the Sweaters Come From

Aran Sweaters. The Aran sweater takes its name from the... Read More

Some Valuable Steps On Applying Clown Makeup! Seriously, Were Not Clowning Around Here

Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More

Birthday Gift Ideas

Birthday celebrations date back as far as biblical times, when... Read More

Color Easter Eggs Naturally With Dyes From Your Kitchen

The most beautiful dyes for Easter eggs come from foodstuff... Read More

Kids Birthdays - How to Throw an Unforgettable Kids Birthday Party

Kids take their birthdays very seriously, and are extremely disappointed... Read More

Tips to Save Time & Money; Christmas Shopping Online

So Christmas is a few months away. Seems like a... Read More

Going Solo on Valentines Day: Advice For Singles

The stores are decorated in candy hearts, flowers and bears.... Read More

10 Ways to Keep Your Expectations From Making You Crazy This Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time! Everyone is full of good... Read More

Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas

Now that the biggest shopping season of the year is... Read More

How to Host Thankgiving Dinner and Enjoy it Anyway

You've been nominated; or perhaps your family has issued a... Read More

Stress-Free Party Planning

It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza

If your product or service can be given as a... Read More

A New Look at Labor Day

A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people:... Read More

2 Inexpensive Halloween Costume Ideas

Did you know that you can make your own Halloween... Read More

Unique Gift Ideas for the 21st Century

As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm... Read More

Relaxing Holidays - Five Ways To Make Your Next Holiday Stress Free

For many people the end of a year is a... Read More

Holiday Times Are For Helping Those Less Fortunate, Think Holiday Cards

Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their... Read More

Tropical Christmas

I can recall from my days in England, watching television... Read More

Seven Great Holiday Decorating Tips--Without Breaking the Bank

If you're looking for great ways to decorate your home... Read More

Holiday Spending: How to Keep Your Personal Information Safe

Holiday spending can be a wonderful time. We shop for... Read More

Traditional Anniversary Gifts Year by Year, the Twentieth - One Hundred Years

Twentieth through the twenty-fourth anniversaries traditional gift is china. Vintage... Read More

9 Fantastic Formulas for a Stress Free Holiday!

The holidays are officially here. And so the season for... Read More

Get Organised for Christmas... NOW!

Hasn't time flown? Only six weeks to Christmas!Now you may... Read More

10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays

No matter how many lists you make, cards you send,... Read More

Holiday Promotion Tips

Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More

Thanksgiving

I was not planning to write this article. Instead, I... Read More

New Year?s Resolution ? Why Not Resolve To Take Back Your Life?

It's time once again for the dreaded New Year's Resolutions.... Read More

The Holiday Army

Here it comes again - the Holiday Army - in... Read More

The Spirit of Fathers Day

Some time ago I received a gift from both of... Read More

Ten Ways To Make The Holidays Easier Next Year

What does your holiday season usually look like -- a... Read More