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Easter Activities for Kids: Egg Hunts, Crafts and More

Nine Easter and spring activities for kids 2–12: fair egg hunts, food-safe egg dyeing, crafts, a STEM egg drop and outdoor games, with safety notes.

By KidInfo Editorial Updated Original instructions, play-test pending

Who this is for

  • Families planning Easter weekend or spring break activities for toddlers through preteens
  • Hosts running an egg hunt for a mix of ages
  • Teachers and caregivers looking for spring-themed activities that don't depend on candy

What matters most

1Fairness across ages

Toddlers and 10-year-olds hunting the same eggs rarely ends well. Color-coding eggs by child, or hiding by zones, gives everyone the same number of finds.

2Egg safety

If you plan to eat dyed eggs, the FDA says to hard-boil them before coloring, keep them refrigerated, and not eat eggs that have been hidden or played with.

3Fillers that fit the age

Small candies and tiny toys are choking hazards for children under 3. Stickers, folded jokes, coupons and non-food fillers work for every age and every allergy.

Easter weekend and spring break are a good excuse to get outside, make something, and try a little science. The nine activities here range from a fair egg hunt that works for toddlers and big kids together, to food-safe egg dyeing, crafts, outdoor games and a backyard egg drop challenge for older kids. Most use plastic eggs, paper and things you already have.

Not every family celebrates Easter, and that’s fine. Nearly every activity here works as a spring activity too: the nature walk, the eggshell grass garden, the egg drop challenge and the relays don’t need the holiday at all.

A relaxed Easter weekend plan

When Activity Why it works
Friday or Saturday morning Dye hard-cooked eggs; plant an eggshell grass garden Eggs have time to dry and chill; grass sprouts during spring break
Saturday afternoon Paper egg garland A calm craft while eggs are in the fridge
Sunday morning Fair-share egg hunt Short, exciting, and over before breakfast gets cold
Sunday afternoon Spoon egg roll, bunny hop relay, or signs of spring walk Burns off energy after a big meal
Spring break day Backyard egg drop challenge A longer project for older kids

Ideas by age at a glance

  • Ages 2–3: a small fenced hunt with large eggs in plain view, egg color matching, and a short spring walk spotting three things.
  • Ages 4–6: color-coded egg hunt, dyeing eggs with help, paper egg garland, bunny hop relay.
  • Ages 7–9: a hunt with letter clues, wax-resist egg designs, eggshell grass experiment (light vs. dark).
  • Ages 10–12: riddle-clue hunts they design for younger siblings, the egg drop challenge with limited materials, and two-color dip-dyed eggs.

Plan a fair egg hunt for mixed ages

Egg hunts go wrong when a 9-year-old sweeps up every egg before a 2-year-old has found one. Two simple fixes:

  1. Color-code by child. Each child hunts only their own color, with the same number of eggs. Write down how many you hid so none are left in the yard.
  2. Hide by zone and age. Toddler eggs go in plain sight at ground level in a small area. Preschool eggs go partly hidden. Big-kid eggs go higher, under leaves, or behind things.

When a child finds all their eggs, they become a helper who can give “warmer or colder” clues but not pick up anyone else’s eggs. That one rule turns competition into teamwork.

What to put inside. Non-food fillers work for every age and every allergy: stickers, folded jokes, small coupons (“pick the movie,” “extra story at bedtime”), or letters that spell out the location of a final surprise. For children under 3, avoid small candies, coins and tiny toys, and use eggs too large to fit in the mouth.

Dyeing eggs safely

Coloring eggs is a favorite, and it comes with a few rules worth knowing. The FDA’s egg safety guidance includes a specific note about Easter eggs:

  • Hard-boil eggs before coloring them.
  • Don’t eat eggs after they’ve been hidden or played with. Bacteria and viruses picked up on the shell can reach the edible part.
  • Keep cooked eggs refrigerated. Don’t leave them out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour when it’s above 90°F.
  • Eat hard-cooked eggs within one week of cooking.

The simplest plan is to dye two batches: one for display and hunting, and one that goes straight back into the fridge for eating. Adults handle the boiling and hot water. Kids can dip, decorate with crayon wax-resist designs, and line eggs up in the carton to dry.

Crafts and quiet activities

The paper egg garland is a good rainy-day project for preschoolers through early elementary kids, and it makes a cheerful window decoration. The eggshell grass garden gives you something to check on every day for the next week. Most fast-sprouting grass seeds poke up within days, so even impatient kids get to see results. For toddlers, the plastic egg matching game turns the leftover eggs from a hunt into a color and shape sorting activity.

Get moving outside

Spring weather is unpredictable, so have a couple of active games ready for when the sun comes out. The spoon egg roll and bunny hop relay work on any patch of grass and burn off energy after a holiday meal. In the bunny hop relay, any way of moving counts, so kids with different mobility can play together. The signs of spring walk is the calm option: a slow loop around the block looking for buds, birds, puddles and new leaves.

A STEM challenge for older kids

For 7- to 12-year-olds, the backyard egg drop challenge is a classic engineering activity. Kids design a protective package from cups, straws, cotton balls and tape, predict whether it will survive, test it from the same height, and redesign. Keep the drop height safe: an adult holding the package overhead or standing on a sturdy step stool, never a ladder, roof or window. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella, so wash hands well afterward and don’t eat the test eggs.

Keep the focus on time together

A basket full of candy fades fast. What kids remember is the hunt with siblings, the egg that survived the drop, and the grass that grew in a week. Pick two or three activities that fit your family and your weather rather than trying them all.

The 9 activities

Fair-Share Color-Coded Egg Hunt

Each child is assigned one egg color and hunts only for that color, so toddlers and big kids each find the same number of eggs.

Ages
2–10
Players
2 or more
Time
20 min (+20 min setup)
Where
Indoors or outdoors · Backyard
Style
Cooperative
Supervision
An adult actively watching
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Plastic eggs in one color per child (8–12 each)
  • Fillers: stickers, folded jokes, coupons ("pick tonight's dinner"), or small wrapped treats for older kids
  • A basket or bag for each child

Set up

  1. Assign each child a color.
  2. Hide toddler eggs in plain sight at ground level; hide big-kid eggs higher, under leaves, or in harder spots.
  3. Count how many eggs of each color you hid and write it down.

How to play

  1. Children search for their own color only.
  2. If someone spots another child's egg, they can give a "warmer/colder" hint but not pick it up.
  3. When a child finds all of their eggs, they become a helper for the others.
  4. Open eggs together at the end.

Finish: Over when every color is found. Check your written count so no eggs are left outside.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 2–3: Use a small, fenced area, large eggs, and fillers without small parts. Hide 5–6 eggs in plain view.
  • Ages 8–10: Add a puzzle: each egg holds a letter, and the letters spell a final hiding spot.
  • Indoors: Hide eggs in one or two rooms on a rainy day; keep them off stairs and away from outlets.
Safety
  • For children under 3, use fillers that are not choking hazards (no small candies, coins or tiny toys), and use eggs too large to fit in the mouth.
  • Check the yard first for sharp objects, ant mounds and anything a toddler shouldn't touch.
  • If any child has a food allergy, use non-food fillers for everyone so there is no mix-up.

Accessibility: Hide some eggs at seated height on chairs and low shelves for children using wheelchairs or walkers.

Visual scanningFair playGross motor Plan outdoor funHelp siblings play togetherScreen-free time Play-test pending

Dye Hard-Cooked Eggs the Food-Safe Way

Color hard-cooked eggs with food coloring and vinegar, following FDA egg-safety guidance so the eggs stay safe to eat.

Ages
3–12
Players
1 or more
Time
40 min (+20 min setup)
Where
Indoors · A table
Style
Activity
Supervision
Adult-led
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Eggs, hard-cooked by an adult and cooled
  • Liquid or gel food coloring, or a store-bought egg-dye kit
  • White vinegar and cups or mugs
  • Spoons, a wire whisk or egg dippers
  • Paper towels, newspaper, and an egg carton for drying

Set up

  1. An adult hard-cooks the eggs and lets them cool. Hot water and boiling stay adult-only.
  2. Mix dye cups following the food-coloring or kit package directions.
  3. Cover the table with newspaper and give kids old shirts.

How to play

  1. Lower an egg into a dye cup with a spoon. Leave it a few minutes for pastel, longer for deep color.
  2. Lift it out and set it in the egg carton to dry.
  3. Try designs: draw on the egg with a white crayon before dyeing (the wax resists the dye), or wrap a rubber band around it for stripes.
  4. Refrigerate dyed eggs once they are dry.

Finish: Finished when every egg is dyed and back in the fridge.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 3–4: Use only 2–3 colors and short cups so eggs are easy to scoop out.
  • Ages 9–12: Try two-color dip-dyeing: dip half the egg in one color, dry, then dip the other half.
Safety
  • FDA advice: hard-boil eggs before coloring, and do not eat eggs after they have been hidden or played with, because bacteria from the shell can reach the edible part.
  • Keep dyed eggs refrigerated; don't leave cooked eggs out more than 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), and eat hard-cooked eggs within a week of cooking, per FDA.
  • Wash hands after handling eggs.

Accessibility: An egg dipper or slotted spoon is easier to hold than a small spoon.

Following stepsColor mixingPatience Screen-free timeRainy-day games Play-test pending

Plastic Egg Matching Game

Mix up plastic egg halves and let toddlers and preschoolers match colors, then shapes or letters written inside.

Ages
2–5
Players
1 or more
Time
15 min (+10 min setup)
Where
Indoors · A table
Style
Activity
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • 8–12 plastic eggs in different colors
  • Permanent marker (adult use) to draw shapes or letters

Set up

  1. Separate the egg halves and mix them up in a basket.
  2. For older preschoolers, an adult draws a matching shape or letter on both halves of each egg.

How to play

  1. Find two halves of the same color and click them together.
  2. Next round: match by shape, uppercase/lowercase letter, or number and dots.
  3. Count the finished eggs together.

Finish: Done when all eggs are matched. Mix and play again.

Make it work for your kids

  • Age 2: Use only 3–4 colors.
  • Ages 4–5: Match a written number on one half to the right number of dots on the other.
Safety
  • Check eggs for cracks; broken plastic pieces and small fillers are choking hazards for under-3s.
  • Supervise toddlers who still mouth objects.

Accessibility: Large eggs are easier to grip and snap together.

Color recognitionMatchingFine motorEarly literacy and numeracy Rainy-day gamesActivities under 20 minutesScreen-free time Play-test pending

Decorated Paper Egg Garland

Cut egg shapes from cardstock, decorate each one with patterns, and string them into a spring garland.

Ages
3–9
Players
1 or more
Time
30 min (+10 min setup)
Where
Indoors · A table
Style
Activity
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Free

You need

  • Cardstock or cereal-box cardboard
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Crayons, markers, stickers
  • Hole punch and string or yarn

Set up

  1. Draw egg outlines (about 4 inches tall). An adult pre-cuts eggs for younger children.

How to play

  1. Decorate each egg with a different pattern: zigzags, dots, stripes, flowers.
  2. Punch two holes near the top of each egg.
  3. Thread the string through the holes, spacing eggs a few inches apart.
  4. Hang the garland in a window or doorway.

Finish: Done when the garland is hung.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 3–4: Decorate with dot stickers and crayons only; adult threads.
  • Ages 7–9: Design a pattern sequence (ABAB) across the whole garland.
Safety
  • Hang garlands out of reach of babies and toddlers; string is a strangulation hazard for young children.

Accessibility: Use pre-cut eggs and chunky crayons for limited grip.

PatternsScissor skillsFine motor Rainy-day gamesScreen-free timeCalm, quiet play Play-test pending

Eggshell Grass Garden

Plant fast-sprouting grass or herb seeds in clean eggshell halves and watch them sprout within about a week.

Ages
4–10
Players
1 or more
Time
25 min (+10 min setup)
Where
Indoors · A table
Style
Activity
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Eggshell halves, rinsed and dried (or small paper cups)
  • An egg carton as a holder
  • Potting soil
  • Fast-sprouting seeds such as wheatgrass, ryegrass, or cress
  • Spray bottle of water
  • Markers to draw faces

Set up

  1. Rinse eggshell halves in warm water and let them dry; an adult can poke a small drainage hole in the bottom.
  2. Set shells in the egg carton.

How to play

  1. Draw a face on each shell with marker.
  2. Fill each shell with potting soil.
  3. Sprinkle seeds on top and press lightly; cover with a thin layer of soil.
  4. Mist with water and place in a sunny window. Keep the soil damp, not soggy.
  5. Check daily; trim the "hair" with scissors once it grows.

Finish: Ongoing for 1–2 weeks. Record how many days until the first sprout.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 4–5: Use paper cups instead of shells for an easier grip.
  • Ages 8–10: Plant two shells and keep one in a dark cupboard; compare after a week.
Safety
  • Wash hands after handling raw eggshells and potting soil.
  • Keep potting soil and seed packets away from toddlers who might eat them.

Accessibility: Seated table activity; spray bottles can be replaced by a small cup for pouring.

Plant scienceResponsibilityObservation Science & buildingCalm, quiet playScreen-free time Play-test pending

Signs of Spring Walk

Take a slow walk with a list of spring signs to spot: buds, birds, puddles, new leaves, insects.

Ages
2–10
Players
1 or more
Time
30 min (+5 min setup)
Where
Outdoors · Park or field
Style
Activity
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Free

No equipment needed

How to play

  1. Before you go, brainstorm 8–10 spring signs together: a bud, a bird nest, a flower, a worm after rain, a puddle, a butterfly.
  2. Walk slowly and call out each sign when you see it.
  3. For each one, ask one question: what color is it? how many are there? what do you hear?
  4. At home, draw your three favorite finds.

Finish: Finished when you've spotted most of the list or the walk ends.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 2–3: Focus on 3 things: something green, something that flies, and a flower.
  • Ages 8–10: Keep a tally and compare with a walk two weeks later.
Safety
  • Look but don't touch nests, wildlife or unknown plants and mushrooms.
  • Stay on sidewalks and paths away from traffic.

Accessibility: Choose a paved path; most spotting can be done from a stroller or wheelchair.

ObservationScience vocabularyGross motor Plan outdoor funScreen-free timeNo equipment needed Play-test pending

Spoon Egg Roll Race

Push a plastic or hard-cooked egg across the grass with a wooden spoon from start line to finish.

Ages
3–8
Players
2 or more
Time
15 min (+5 min setup)
Where
Outdoors · Backyard
Style
Either
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Plastic eggs or hard-cooked eggs
  • Long wooden spoons
  • Rope or chalk for start and finish lines

Set up

  1. Mark start and finish lines 10–15 feet apart on flat grass.

How to play

  1. Each player places an egg on the start line.
  2. On "go," push the egg toward the finish line using only the spoon, no hands.
  3. If the egg rolls off course, bring it back to where it left the lane.
  4. Cheer every player across the line.

Finish: Play several rounds. Try a team version where partners take turns pushing one egg.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 3–4: Shorter distance and a larger plastic egg.
  • Ages 7–8: Add a slalom of shoes to weave around.
Safety
  • Don't eat hard-cooked eggs that have been rolled on the ground (FDA advises not eating eggs after playing with them).

Accessibility: Can be played on a smooth patio or indoors on carpet with a longer-handled spoon.

Hand-eye coordinationPatience Plan outdoor funBurn off energyActivities under 20 minutes Play-test pending

Bunny Hop Relay

Teams hop like bunnies to a basket, pick up one plastic egg, and hop back to tag the next teammate.

Ages
3–9
Players
4 or more
Time
15 min (+5 min setup)
Where
Indoors or outdoors · Backyard
Style
Competitive
Supervision
An adult nearby
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Two baskets with plastic eggs
  • Markers for start and turnaround

Set up

  1. Place a basket of eggs 15–20 feet from the start line for each team.

How to play

  1. First player hops (two feet together) to the basket.
  2. Pick up one egg and hop back.
  3. Drop the egg in the team bucket and tag the next player.
  4. Keep going until the basket is empty.

Finish: Count eggs at the end; play again with mixed teams.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 3–4: Hop only part of the way, or move like any animal they choose.
  • Mobility differences: Any way of moving counts: rolling, walking, crawling.
Safety
  • Hop on grass, not concrete.
  • Space the teams so hoppers don't collide.

Accessibility: "Move like any animal" rule makes it open to every body.

Gross motorTeamwork Burn off energyPlan outdoor funActivities under 20 minutes Play-test pending

Backyard Egg Drop Challenge

Design a protective package from household materials and drop a raw egg from a safe height to see if it survives.

Ages
7–12
Players
1 or more
Time
60 min (+10 min setup)
Where
Outdoors · Backyard
Style
Activity
Supervision
An adult actively watching
Age gap
Works with a wide age gap
Cost
Under $10 in supplies

You need

  • Raw eggs (one per design, plus spares)
  • Building materials: paper cups, straws, cotton balls, bubble wrap, rubber bands, small boxes, tape
  • A tarp or old sheet for the landing zone

Set up

  1. Lay a tarp on the grass as the landing zone.
  2. Choose a drop height an adult can reach safely: standing on the ground holding the package overhead, or from a sturdy step stool. No ladders, roofs or windows.

How to play

  1. Each builder has 20 minutes and the same materials to design a package that protects the egg.
  2. Predict: will it survive? Why?
  3. An adult drops each package from the same height.
  4. Open and check the egg. Discuss what worked: cushioning, slowing the fall, spreading the impact.
  5. Redesign and try again from the same height.

Finish: Every surviving egg is a win; then try a slightly lower-cushion design.

Make it work for your kids

  • Ages 7–8: Use a hard-cooked egg so cracks are less messy.
  • Ages 11–12: Limit materials (10 straws and 1 meter of tape) to make the engineering harder.
Safety
  • Adults do any drop from above ground level; never from ladders, roofs or windows.
  • Raw eggs can carry Salmonella: wash hands with soap after handling and clean up broken eggs promptly.
  • Do not eat eggs used in the challenge.

Accessibility: Building is seated table work; an adult can do the drop.

Engineering designPredictionFair testing Science & buildingPlan outdoor fun Play-test pending

Age and safety checks

  • Under 3: use large plastic eggs and fillers without small parts; supervise closely, since toddlers explore with their mouths.
  • Hard-boil eggs before dyeing, and don't eat eggs after they've been hidden, rolled or played with (FDA).
  • Keep cooked eggs refrigerated: don't leave them out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F, and eat hard-cooked eggs within one week of cooking (FDA).
  • Raw eggs used for crafts or experiments can carry Salmonella: wash hands with soap afterward.
  • Check the hunt area for hazards first, and keep hiding spots away from streets, pools and driveways.

Check current recalls for any product at cpsc.gov/Recalls before you buy, and always follow the manufacturer’s age label.

No need to buy anything

The spring nature walk, bunny hop relay and paper egg garland need nothing new. Use real hard-cooked eggs instead of plastic ones, or hide paper eggs cut from cereal boxes for an indoor hunt.

Questions parents ask

How do I run a fair egg hunt for kids of different ages?

Give each child their own egg color and an equal count, hide toddler eggs in plain sight and older kids' eggs in harder spots, and let finishers become helpers who give 'warmer or colder' hints.

Can you eat eggs after an Easter egg hunt?

The FDA advises against eating eggs after hiding or playing with them, because bacteria from the shell can reach the edible part. Dye a separate batch of hard-cooked eggs for eating and keep them in the fridge.

What can I put in plastic eggs instead of candy?

Stickers, folded jokes, small notes ('extra bedtime story'), puzzle pieces that make a picture together, coupons for a family activity, or letters that spell a final clue. Avoid small toys if children under 3 are hunting.

What Easter activities work for toddlers?

A small fenced-in hunt with large eggs in plain view, plastic egg color matching, a short spring walk, and helping drop dyed eggs into the carton to dry with an adult.

Sources and further reading

  1. What You Need to Know About Egg Safety — U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationIncludes 'A note about Easter eggs': hard-boil before coloring; do not eat after hiding or playing with them; 2-hour rule; use hard-cooked eggs within 1 week.
  2. Safe Food Handling — U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationHandwashing for at least 20 seconds; separate raw eggs and meat from other foods.
  3. Food Allergies — U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Links to outside organizations are for reference. They do not imply that those organizations endorse KidInfo.

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