Easter egg hunts, marshmallow drops and celebrations of spring
Gabriella & Michael Mayrend exchanging marshmallows from the marshmallow drop for a small prize (2009).
Tammy Mayrend | Contributor
For interested families, below are several area Easter Egg hunts happening throughout the Ann Arbor area in the coming weeks.
ANN ARBOR:
The Ann Arbor Jaycees hold an annual Easter Egg hunt with games, face painting and other fun family activities in addition to the egg-scramble. It is free. However. they will accept donations for the Ann Arbor Ronald McDonald House. This year the event will be held Saturday, March 27 (Rain Date: Sunday, March 28) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Park (2150 Jackson Ave.) in Ann Arbor.
DEXTER:
Hudson Mills Metropark is hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 28, noon-2 p.m. Kids 12 and under may participate and enjoy a variety of activities such as the petting farm animals, face painting and visiting with the Easter Bunny while waiting for their age group egg hunt. Tickets are $3 per child in advance, and $5 per child at the door. Call 734-426-8211 to purchase tickets. A vehicle entry permit is also required to enter Hudson Mills Metropark and is only $25 annually for regular admission or $5 daily.
MANCHESTER:
The Manchester Men’s Club is sponsoring an Easter Egg Hunt at Carr Park Saturday, April 3 at 1 p.m.
SALINE:
The Saline Recreation Center is hosting an Egg SCavENgER HuNT on Saturday April 3 at 11:30 a.m. for children ages 2-7 years. Bring a basket to collect eggs that have been scattered throughout the wooded area behind the Recreation Center and Miller Field. Children will be broken down into age appropriate groups with every child receiving a goody bag - a few lucky eggs will have prize tickets inside though! Register each family member in advance at the Recreation Center for $6 by April 2, or for $10 on the day of the event.
YPSILANTI:
The Ypsilanti Jaycees' 10th annual Easter Egg Hunt and Marshmallow Drop will be held on Saturday, 27 March, 9 a.m.-noon at Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a $1 fee per child. Fun family games begin at 9:30 a.m. while children await their age group egg hunts - the Easter Bunny will even be standing by for a photo op! A marshmallow drop follows the egg hunt and begins at 11 a.m., allowing children to return their captured marshmallows for small prizes!
There are many other opportunities for families to participate in area Easter Egg hunts at local churches throughout the area. Also, Domino Farms is continuing their Easter Egg hunt; however, this year, it is for members only.
These are the types of hunts we'll likely be searching for this year. My children sure do enjoy the hunts; however I personally despise attending because I have to play defense to keep my children from being pushed, smashed or stepped on by adults who behave terribly, or don't listen to the rules. So keep your eyes peeled and let me know of family friendly local Easter Egg hunts that should be highlighted, or feel free to list them in the comments section below. Please specify when the hunt will take place, the ages allowed at the hunt and any costs to families - Thanks!
Tammy Mayrend is a search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on local activities for families at annarbormom.com.
Comments
Tammy Mayrend
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 11:40 a.m.
Thanks for the comment Dexterite, I think people in general get overzealous when the hunts are free - I have actually never taken my children to the DF event but have wanted to for a few years. Two years ago when they had it we were planning on attending when we had that large snowfall! At the egg hunts we have attended the parents and grandparents have gone beyond helping their children and have stepped on, knocked over and even pushed my children out of the way. For parents who do play by the rules it is frustrating and made me charge out to save my children on several occasions! As to DF, I don't know what they've accomplished by making it a "members-only" event, it may simply be an additional benefit of membership which might encourage members to renew. I actually looked to see when Easter 2011 fell to see if I could get two years of the hunt if I paid for a family membership (thats not the case though!). The DF hunt was never free, and I am uncertain if members still have to pay for it or even if the prizes will be as they were in past years! Im sure they will be closely evaluating the success of this years event against that of past years!
Dexterite
Mon, Mar 29, 2010 : 10:49 a.m.
Regarding the Domino Farms Easter Egg Hunt, I agree that some of the adults go over-the-line in "helping" their kids, but I don't think charging people $75 so that they can become a member will solve the problem. They are completely unrelated, unless of course, all Domino Farms is really trying to do is exclude people who can't afford the $75 membership. So instead of solving the actual problem, they have turned what was once the best Easter Egg Hunt in town into an exclusive rich people's club event. And didn't it used to be a fundraiser too? Is Dominos going to donate those $75 membership fees or just keep the money for a profit? What a shame, not to mention a public relations disaster in the making.