How to Host a Virtual Easter Egg Hunt

The COVID-19 crisis has forced us to put our hands to good use: We're spring cleaning with a fervor, whipping up fresh bread and sweet treats like we're a bakery, and realizing just how badly the house needs a fresh paint job. While times are uncertain, reconnecting with the home keeps us grounded. However, as part of the many curveballs this crisis has thrown us, exciting events like Easter have left us with many questions.

While a delicious meal, festive decorations, and adorable Easter baskets can still be had, the extended family and friends to share it with are no longer. For the kids, taking part in the annual Easter egg hunt with loved ones is a cherished memory. So, in the face of the global pandemic, how do we keep these traditions alive?

"Eventbrite, a platform traditionally known for discovering in-person gatherings, has seen a shift toward consumers choosing online experiences since the rise of the coronavirus pandemic," says Eventbrite's community marketing manager Vivian Chaves. "March saw a more than 300 percent growth in virtual events, proving that people are coming up with innovative ways to stay engaged, creative, and connected from the safety of their homes—and the upcoming Easter holiday is no exception."

Try any one of these fun ways to host a virtual Easter egg hunt during these "cooped up" times.

The Photo Gallery Egg Hunt

"This Easter, in lieu of the normally frantic neighborhood egg hunts, kids and parents can tune into virtual Easter parties, some with story time, costumed Easter bunnies, and others with indoor egg hunts," says Chaves. "For families looking for an even more interactive experience, we've also seen virtual egg paint parties and cookie decorating classes complete with shipped cookie kits for parents and kids to follow along and enjoy crafting something of their own."

Similarly, try this virtual idea: Have a parent from each family place a series of eggs around the town, neighborhood, or yard and take a picture of it. (You don't need to leave the egg there, it's just a brief photo opp.) The egg should be visible in the image, but hidden in plain sight. This could be on top of a mailbox, in a flower bed, taped to the house, or affixed to a pole. Collect all the images and create a gallery in a word document or photo app of your choice. The kids can spread to zoom in or drag to pan out for viewing options of the hidden egg. Once they find all the eggs, they get a prize! This is great for little ones, as everyone wins.

The Camera and Clues Egg Hunt

For this idea, each parent must choose a series of places they will hide the eggs in their respective homes and yards.

To make the hunt fair, the eggs must all be hidden in the same places at each residence: in the garage inside of a bike basket, in the laundry room, huddled in the container of laundry pods, in the freezer next to the ice cream, and so on. Send an email with all of the participants included, providing a printable list of clues, and choosing the exact time the hunt will occur.

On the day of the event, have the clues sheet printed and present it to the participants, along with a smartphone camera at go-time. Once found, each participant will take a photo of the egg, then move onto the next clue. When they have collected all the images of the eggs, they will reply to the original email chain by uploading their images. The first person to send the email with all of the correct eggs wins.

Robin Charin, CEO and Owner of events and entertainment company R.T. Clown, Inc. suggests using a video chat platform like FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, etc. to connect with extended family. Have them virtually cheer on the kids, provide clues and congratulate them as they finish the hunt.

Social Distancing Egg Hunt

Come one, come all! Gather up the neighbors in an email, text, or on the Nextdoor app and plan a virtual egg hunt that still allows the kids to get some fresh air. Print off some coloring sheets of an Easter egg online. Have the kids spend time coloring them and placing around their house visibly for the neighbors to see such as on the front door, on the mailbox, on windows, from the flagpole, and so on.

Choose a date that all eggs must be displayed, such as April 3. This allows plenty of time for walks prior to Easter. Have the kids try to spot eggs while they are out for walks around their neighborhood. Encourage the kids to take photos of their findings and upload them to the text, email, or app by April 12 (the date of Easter) by a certain time.

On the big day, the participant with the most uploaded eggs will win a prize.

As for the prize? Present a basket filled with candy, an online gift card, a shirt, a tote bag, a coloring book, a voucher for them to watch a movie of their choice, and more. Each parent can contribute to the basket.