In just a few short weeks Peter Cottontail will be hopping around the bunny trail to deliver colorful eggs to children all over the world. If you’re a parent or you have children in your life, then you’re probably excited to have everyone hunt eggs and find lots of delicious treats. Of course, if you’re on a budget then you may have a problem organizing the perfect Easter egg hunt for your bunch. These ten tips will leave you with some ideas that won’t just make this the most memorable Easter hunt yet, but will also make your budget stretch further than you expected it could. So don’t sweat this holiday, because hunting eggs won’t leave your budget floundering for months afterwards.
1. Separate Egg Colors
One of the problems many families and communities face when it comes to Easter egg hunts is the fact that some children always seem to get more than other children. May it be age difference, athleticism or simply egg hunting skills, some children just don’t get their fair share of eggs which just brings tears. So, you might want to take some time to separate the eggs via color. Just before the hunt begins, reveal a color to each child. They can then pick up the eggs that are that color. With a good even mix of colors, each child will have the same amount of eggs and treats. You may even find the kids work together more in order to find all of the eggs that have been hidden. This allows you to separate the prizes by age too, so everyone will get age appropriate gifts and treats on the special occasion.
2. Make a Map
If you want to teach your children how to follow instructions while having a whole lot of fun, then a map is the way to go. This is another great way to separate the eggs for different kids to choose. Plus, if you have a lot of land for kids to hunt on then it can make the hunt more timely and a lot more fun. Simply put your art skills to work and go from there. You can draw a map with pictures of landmarks or you print one based on steps from left to right. Make sure to work on the map based on different ages though as older children will be able to decipher hidden messages and clues, where younger children will be better off with pictures or counting small amounts of steps.
3. Night Time Hunt
Sometimes, waiting for the morning is too much to handle, which is why a night hunt might be a new tradition you love to enjoy. Of course, if you prefer following the whole Easter Bunny routine then you can always re-hide your eggs for a game of night time hunting. One way to do this is to use glow in the dark paint when you make your eggs. This will allow children to see them as they wander around in the dark. Another option is to paste tiny reflectors to them and have the children go out with flashlights. Remember to keep safety first in mind though. Try sending the kids out in glow in the dark clothing or reflectors and make sure you enjoy the hunt in a fenced in area without any potential dangers to worry about.
4. Community Hunt
If you can’t come up with the budget to have your own Easter egg hunt, then you shouldn’t have to worry about sitting this year out. There’s a lot of events in the community that you can check out that will suit your budget perfectly. In fact, most community centers will host a free Easter egg hunt for kids of certain ages. This is a prime time for your children to have a blast with kids their own age. You can even use the eggs they find there to put on your own Easter egg hunt. Some schools will even invite their students to enjoy an early Easter egg hunt, which is always fun to watch. Last but not least, many churches will put on an Easter egg hunt during Sunday School or after the Easter service and meal is over. So, you may want to plan on going to one of those events.
5. Bulk Candy
One of the main expenses for Easter is the candy that goes into the eggs. Many people try to customize this to suit children’s wants, but this can be entirely too expensive. One of the best things you can do is grab a bulk bag of candy to fill the eggs. Usually, these bags will have a little something for everyone, so you won’t have to worry about anyone not being happy with their finds. You can even get off-brand candy to help lower the prices too. If you subscribe to a warehouse store, then you may even get lucky enough to grab the traditional chocolate bunny in bulk so you can get a discount on getting all of your children the prize.
6. Natural Egg Color
Egg dye can be a pain to purchase, especially if you have a lot of eggs to dye. There’s lots of natural ways to dye your eggs though. Many of the items are commonly found in your own home, which is an added bonus. For instance, you can dye your eggs a lovely shade of yellow simply by taking the peeling from yellow onions and boiling them in with the eggs. Then, refrigerate it all when everything is boiled. The eggs will come out colored and ready for the hiding. You can also do it with beets, cabbage, carrots and so much more. Simply look around online for more tips to give you a natural rainbow that won’t make your home smell like vinegar.
7. DIY Bunny Suit
If you love to have an Easter Bunny at your hunt, then you probably already know that buying or renting a suit can cost a small fortune. If you end up buying a costume there is no guarantee that you will be able to wear it the following year too, which could make it an even bigger waste of money. There are many ways you can make your own costume though. If you’re a whiz with a sewing machine, then you can easily get to work on a furry bunny suit with a simple pattern that won’t cost you a fortune. However, if you aren’t a huge fan of sewing then there are a few tutorials you can find to help you whip up a quick suit in no time at all.
8. Non-Candy Eggs
Candy is one of the most expensive aspects of Easter, especially if you already have plastic eggs. You don’t have to fill your eggs with candy if you’re on a budget though. For instance, you can whip up your own mini-cookies and other baked goods. These should fit into the eggs easily, but make sure to wrap them well in case the egg ends up breaking. Another option is to fill it with small coins that you have lying around this house. This is especially great for younger kids who may not have an allowance yet. Finally, you can fill the eggs with items like coupons to get out of chores or for an extra dessert and so on. Your kids may fall in love with the new prizes, which is sure to make your future Easters a lot more frugal.
9. Skip the Basket
Traditionally, many kids have big baskets that they use year after year. However, if your child is celebrating with their first basket then this can be a big of a problem for your budget. Lovely baskets are nice and all, but they aren’t always efficient, especially in the first few years of Easter egg hunting when they tend to be too bulky and heavy. Instead of going this route you may want to consider using a pail or a bucket. If you have one lying around the house, or the sandbox, then you’re already set to save a lot more money. If you’re not working with real eggs, then using a tote bag would also come in handy. This is great for younger kids too because it’s light weight and easy to work with. Some older children may be interested in weaving their own. There’s many tutorials online and the materials don’t have to cost you a fortune.
10. Egg Trade
Another option that will prevent you from spending a fortune on candy and toys is to fill the eggs with tickets instead. This method could work in a few different ways. For instance, you can purchase some prizes instead of filling the Easter basket with goodies for the morning. The prizes can each have a ticket number ranging from small to large. This will give the kids a chance to buy items they want based on what they found. Another option is to auction off items using the tickets. This can be a lot of fun and will help the kids learn the worth of what they have. Last but not least, you can have the kids trade eggs for those that they want amongst each other. This will help them bond while allowing them to learn how to negotiate.
Easter egg hunts are one of the highlights of the holiday, but they don’t have to leave you scrambling for money. These ten tips will help you plan the perfect Easter egg hunt that won’t force you to pour money into it. Now, you can finish off the early year holidays with ease, so you can begin to prep for summer fun.
