Photography: Brigid Arnott / Styling: Lucy Gough
For children and adults alike, taking part in an Easter egg hunt is a fun way to celebrate the day. It gets everyone excited, running around outside in the fresh air and enjoying the wonders of the garden. Peeking behind pot plants, looking under bushes and gathering shiny, foil-wrapped chocolates up into a basket.
It’s a lovely tradition, along with others such as eating hot cross buns, and everyone has their own ways of doing an Easter egg hunt. No matter how large your garden is (or if you’re doing it at a local park with a picnic in tow), you can make it a special experience to talk about for years to come.
What is the Easter egg hunt tradition?
An egg hunt is a popular activity during the season of Easter, which is particularly enthralling for little ones. It involves hiding treats and prizes of all shapes and sizes, but especially brightly-wrapped chocolate eggs, to be found by anyone who would like to join in. It can be held indoors or out and is a playful way to bring people together.
There are many stories about how the tradition began but some theories suggest the Easter egg hunt originated from pagan spring festivals that celebrated renewal and fertility. Eggs were seen as a symbol of new life and a way to mark the start of spring. Rather than chocolate eggs, they most likely used real eggs that were decorated by hand. As chocolate eggs have become more accessible, they’ve replaced real eggs in many Easter celebrations and have become synonymous with this festive occasion.
How do you make an Easter Egg Hunt special?
With a little creativity you can make your Easter egg hunt an incredible event. It’s all down to the little details! You could get a wagon for them to pull around as they look for shiny finds. Or make a treasure map with stars on it for where they can find goodies. Use your imagination! Here are 10 ideas to get you started.
1. Cute headwear
Bunny ears are guaranteed to get everyone hopping! There are so many available, from fluffy to chic. Start collecting (or making them) and let everyone choose one to suit their style and personality. Keep them for years to come and bring them out each year.
2. Set up a fort
For a really lovely vibe, make a fort for children to hang out in before and after the Easter egg hunt. It’ll be a cosy place to count (and eat!) their loot afterwards. It might even keep them entertained while the sugar rush sets in.
3. Use real eggs for decorating
If you’re having morning or afternoon tea to go with your Easter egg hunt, decorate the table with real egg shells. Simply save the shells from any eggs the household eats in the days leading up to Easter, then wash and pop them into tea cups. Fill them with fresh flowers from the garden on the day for a beautiful, on-theme table.
4. Tailor your topiary
This might be for the more advanced green thumbs among us, but if you’re keen to go all out, shape your plants to suit the Easter season. It might be birds or a bunny, but the sight of animals in the garden will be an unforgettable moment. You’ll need to get started on this one well in advance! Think long-term for many Easters to come.
5. Be a basket lady
You can of course buy novelty Easter baskets but there’s something so special about an old-fashioned woven basket. Collect them as you see them at second-hand shops and you’ll have a nice mix by Easter day. They’re a lovely way to display fruit, flowers or pine cones throughout the year (depending on the season) and a fun hiding place for your Easter egg hunt.
6. Hang Easter baubles on plants
Who says decorating the tree is just for Christmas? Get your garden looking festive with Easter-themed baubles. Hang eggs or bunny decorations from pot plants or on the trees in your garden.
7. A letter from the Easter bunny
Wouldn’t it be sweet if the kids found a letter from the Easter bunny during their search through the garden? A little detail like this will add an extra special touch to the day.
8. Interesting locations
A green house, maze or beautiful archway makes the most magical location for an Easter egg hunt. While you may not have these in your own garden, there are plenty of incredible accommodation options that do. Get some friends or family members together and hire an Airbnb fit for the most epic Easter egg hunt ever.
9. Use foliage to make it festive
Just like eggs evoke the feeling of new life which is fitting for Easter, so do flowers and fresh foliage. Use bunches cut from trees close to home to decorate your Easter table or pop them in boots for a fresh welcome at your front door.
10. Bunny-shaped napkins
So simple and so cute, turn your napkins into bunny ears for a playful Easter twist at your egg hunt gathering. To do it, start by rolling linen napkins into long, thin shapes then curve them around an egg and tie in place with a length of ribbon or hessian string.
Shop the look: Easter egg hunt
01
Easter embossed 27cm dinner plate
$3.50, Big W
Cute as can be, this dinner plate has a beautiful impression of bunnies leaping across it, alongside flowers and leaves. It’s fit for an Easter feast!
Key features:
- 27cm diameter
- Cream colour
- Embossed detail
- Matching bowls and side plates available
02
Morgan & Finch bunny serving dish
$7.50 (usually $14.99), Bed Bath N’ Table
Add a little hoppity-hopping fun to your Easter entertaining with this bunny dish. It’s the perfect size to hold lots of little eggs.
Key features:
- 15cm length x 12.7cm width x 10.8cm height
- Porcelain
- Rabbit detail
03
Bunny botanical linen napkins (set of 4)
$10 (usually $19.99), Bed Bath N’ Table
This set of four linen napkins with a gorgeous bunny and botanic design will bring a whimsical touch to your Easter decorating.
Key features:
- Set of four
- 45cm x 45cm
- Linen
Could this Easter basket be any sweeter? Made from organic cotton, this is a beautiful bag to collect eggs in and save as a keepsake forever.
Key features:
- 15cm x 15cm
- Pure organic cotton
- Self-tie handle
- Embroidered bunny face
- Pom pom tail detail on back
05
Sequin fur bunny ears headband
$14.95, Seed Heritage
A bunny ears headband for the little bunny in your life. With soft fur and fun sequins, it’s an easy way to get in the Easter spirit.
Key features:
- Headband
- Cream coloured
- Sequin details
