It’s that time of year when colored eggs hide among the landscape and children of all ages delight in seeking them out.
In the spirit of Easter, the Naperville Park District and the Naperville Jaycees have several unique egg hunts planned for children ages 1 to 13.
The first egg hunt will be held at 7:15 p.m. March 24 at Knoch Knolls Park, 336 Knoch Knolls Road.
The Flashlight Egg Hunt, which has been an annual park district tradition since 2001, offers a fun twist to finding eggs and is geared toward older children ages 9 to 13 years old, said Sue Omanson, the park district’s community development manager.
More than 120 children are expected to participate in the search for prize-filled eggs in the dark, with only a flashlight to help them. Parents can watch the hunt, but aren’t allowed to help.
More than 1,000 special prizes will be hiding inside the eggs.
The cost is $10 for residents, $14 for nonresidents. Register for the hunt at www.napervilleparks.org.
The next event, the Spring Egg-stravaganza, will be held at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. March 26 at the Seager Park Interpretive Center, 1163 Plank Road.
The event is geared for preschool-aged children. The 10:30 a.m. session is already full.
In addition to an egg hunt, the event features games, stories, crafts, snacks and a picture with the Easter Bunny. The cost is $15 per child for residents, $22 for nonresidents.
To register, call (630) 848-5000 or go to the Naperville Park District Administration Building, 320 W. Jackson Ave. No online registrations will be accepted.
One of the area’s oldest egg hunts is sponsored by the Naperville Jaycees and will begin at 9 a.m. March 26 at the Frontier Sports Complex behind Neuqua Valley High School, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive.
The 33rd annual egg hunt, geared to children ages 1 to 8, is free and requires no advanced registration. The Easter Bunny will be making a special appearance.
Last year, the Jaycees hid 14,000 eggs for the event.
“It’s the oldest egg hunt in the area,” Omanson said. “The eggs disappear so quickly.”
The Naperville Jaycees recommend arriving a half-hour before the event. The group will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items for Loaves and Fishes Community Services.
The egg hunts are fun family events, regardless of the weather, Omanson said.
“It’s a spring tradition,” she said.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
