When this group of close friends gathers for a casual Easter brunch, it's a basket of fun for kids and adults alike.

Amy Gropp Forbes, a former food editor at Martha Stewart Living, and her husband, Adam, invited three families to spend the weekend at their home on Long Island, New York. The Easter festivities are a delight not only for the kids; the gang's parents -- Amy's sister, Lauren; two former colleagues, Jodi Levine and Page Marchese Norman; and their spouses -- are all close. With this creative crew -- Jodi is now a product designer for Martha Stewart Crafts, and Page is a partner at Purl Soho-- artsy activities and good food are always on the agenda, and today is no exception. 

The landscape is laden with colorful eggs -- bright tangerine, pale yellow, sky blue, and in a few rare and thrilling instances, shiny gold. Once the gate opens, it's pure pandemonium. The kids swarm the yard, snapping up the treat-filled eggs as quick as bunnies. 

Gleeful clip-art invitations set the tone for the gathering.

Inexpensive baskets are adorned with clip art tags for kids to write their names on, so there are no mix-ups.

Plastic eggs hide tiny treasures. The eggs are decorated with round office-supply labels and stickers cut from adhesive paper.

Handmade beanbag chicks are tucked in large plastic eggs with clear tops -- a special prize for each child.

The children settle down at a crafts table after the lawn is picked clean. Inexpensive supplies keep the kids engaged and happy. Washable markers and stickers make it a cinch for even the youngest to embellish eggs -- no messy dyes necessary.

A garland of balloons, dotted with office supply stickers and tied to a length of string, sways in the spring breeze.

 Meant for crafting first, eating second (jelly beans make delicious hors d'oeuvres for a special occasion), the table setting features paper party goods in lemon yellow, a wipe-clean oilcloth table covering, and napkin rings fashioned from candy buttons.

Hard-cooked eggs were dyed the day before the party for no-mess decorating with stickers, markers, and colorful clip-art paper bands.

Daffodils made from baking cups and flower cutouts are filled with jelly beans for a tasty treat.

A clever solution for a breezy day: A plastic egg with more jelly beans anchors the tablecloth; gingham ribbon is secured around the egg with hot glue and threaded through a hole that has been punched in the oilcloth.

Cartons adorned with our floral clip art let the kids showcase their favorite eggs and get them home safely.

With the children busy, the adults relax with Champagne cocktails and a casual brunch on the porch. As the adults chat, the children amble over to the porch, proudly showing off their creations. All agree they did the Easter Bunny proud.

Hard-cooked eggs are served with bowls of cilantro- and pimenton-flavored salts.

Hosts Amy Gropp Forbes and Adam Forbes and their friends savor simple dishes featuring seasonal ingredients, including a savory asparagus and prosciutto tart.

Frittatas are a favorite weekend dish at Amy's house; this one is creamy and tangy, thanks to goat cheese.

Luminous rounds of Meyer lemon fill a puff pastry shell for a dessert that's simple yet spectacular -- the perfect endnote to a glorious gathering.