5 Ways to Keep Kids Busy over Easter
So, what types of seasonal activities can you enjoy with your little ones this year? Rachel Clinkard from shoe retailer Charles Clinkard is here to share five of the best activities for keeping children entertained and making family memories this Easter. From egg hunts to creative crafts, here are five ways to keep your children busy over the Easter holidays.
Have an Easter egg hunt with a twist
Easter egg hunts are a classic activity that never fail to excite children. However, after a while, they can start to feel a bit repetitive and predictable. To add an extra element of fun and creativity, why not put an unexpected twist on the traditional egg hunt? There are plenty of ways to mix up your usual egg hunt, so consider giving one of the following a go:
- Character egg hunt:
Choose characters from your child’s favourite film, book, or TV series to paint onto hard boiled eggs for them to find. You can even hide the eggs in places relevant to the character. For example, you could hang a Batman egg upside down from a tree, just like how real bats sleep. - Message decoding hunt:
To add an extra challenge for older children, you could paint a letter on each egg to write a secret message hinting at where the real treasure is. Once your child has all of the eggs, they can work by themselves or with their siblings or friends to figure out the secret message and win a chocolate stash. - Physical challenges:
A great way to have some fun and keep little ones active is to write a physical challenge on each egg for your child to complete before putting it in their basket. This could be anything from balance on one leg for as long as they can to hop like a bunny. - Rainbow eggs:
Make a colourful egg hunt by hiding eggs of all colours of the rainbow. The winner can be the contestant who finds all colours of the rainbow first.
The great thing about an egg hunt is that the activity can be enjoyed no matter the weather. On sunny days you can get your little ones out and about in the garden with a pair of wellies or trainers, while on very rainy days you can plan a fun hunt indoors.
Visit the new spring lambs
Spring is the season known for new life, from baby chicks to flowers starting to bloom after the long, dark winter months. But the new life most associated with the season is, of course, lambs. So why not take this opportunity to take your little ones to visit the newly born spring lambs to teach them more about the beauty of spring nature and wildlife?
Many farms and petting zoos open their doors to visitors during the Easter holidays, offering the perfect opportunity for children to get up close and personal with these fluffy newcomers. Tatton Park’s Farm for instance runs lambing week every year on Easter holidays. Not only it is a delightful experience for kids to pet and feed the lambs, but it also provides valuable opportunities to learn about animal care and the cycle of life. Just make sure the family dresses in their old clothes and wellies, as getting up close with the lambs can get messy!
Get crafty with some plant pots
The Easter holidays are the perfect time to unleash your children’s creativity with some fun and seasonal crafts. A simple yet enjoyable activity for you and your kids to try out is decorating plant pots for planting spring flowers or herbs. You can pick up inexpensive terracotta pots from a garden centre or DIY store, or simply use pots you already have and zhuzh them up with acrylic paints, stickers, and other decorative materials.
One way to do this activity is to give your child a theme to work towards, such as a spring- or Easter-themed plant pot. You could also suggest they paint the flower or herb they will be planting in their pot. Alternatively, simply encourage your kids to let their imaginations run wild and paint their plant pot however they fancy. Not only does this activity provide a creative outlet, but it can also teach children about responsibility and nurturing as they care for the plants in their pots and watch them grow.
Set up an Easter-themed obstacle course
For a high-energy and outdoor activity that will keep kids entertained for hours (and no doubt tire them out!), create an Easter-themed obstacle course in your garden or at your local park. You can do this by using classic obstacle course items, such as hula hoops, cones, skipping ropes, and bean bags, to set up a series of challenges and obstacles inspired by Easter symbols such as eggs, bunnies, and chicks. Incorporate activities like egg and spoon races, bunny hops, and egg rolling competitions to add an extra touch of seasonal fun.
You can even award small prizes or chocolate treats to the winners to keep motivation levels high. Not only is this activity great for physical exercise and coordination, but it also fosters a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition among children. To keep your little ones comfortable while taking part, dress them in stretchy and breathable exercise clothes and a pair of sports trainers.
Forage and craft a spring wreath
If you’re looking for an Easter activity that combines outdoor exploration with arts and crafts, foraging and crafting a spring wreath is the perfect option for you and your family. Give this activity a try by putting your walking boots on and getting out to your local park or woodland and collecting items such as twigs, branches, and fallen leaves. If you want to incorporate seasonal flowers, such as daffodils or tulips, it’s best to use the ones in your own garden rather than picking them from a public setting as there are often regulations against doing so.
Once you’ve gathered your materials, use a wire or straw wreath base as a foundation and let your children’s imagination guide them as they arrange and decorate the wreath. You can incorporate traditional Easter symbols such as eggs, bunnies, and spring flowers, or let your kids come up with their own unique designs. Not only does this activity encourage creativity and appreciation for nature, but it also results in a beautiful decoration to hang proudly on your front door or mantlepiece.
“From exploring the great outdoors in your wellies by going on a foraging nature walk to getting creative indoors with festive arts and crafts, you won’t be short of ways to keep kids entertained over the Easter break.” says Rachel.
Great ideas, thank you!
we had so much fun over Easter, thanks for all the great suggestions
Visiting lambs is a huge hit with all ages – great idea.
I like the idea of the message decoding hunt – getting the children to think is always a good idea.
Great ideas thankyou