Hopping down the bunny trail

Easter is the last Sunday in March this year, and families are already getting ready. Little girls are looking forward to that special new dress and shoes, while young boys can’t wait to get outside for the Easter egg hunt! Meanwhile, children are busy preparing their Easter baskets with all the trimmings, especially lots of candy, in anticipation of the annual Easter egg hunt. 

History

Did you ever wonder how colored eggs and hunts came to be associated with Easter? Some stories suggest that the Easter egg hunt dates back to the late 16th century when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide eggs for the women and children to find. This was a nod to the story of the Christian resurrection, in which women discovered the empty tomb. Eggs were one of the foods given up for Lent, and so toward the end of Lent, eggs were colored and decorated to celebration the sacrifice.

Family friendly celebrations and hunts

These are a few Easter egg hunts scheduled near Ideal Homes and Neighborhoods communities. Many local churches have hunts and activities, too, so check with your church or the churches in your area.

• Yukon, March 22

Free Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at City Park Football Field (2200 S. Holly Avenue) features a nighttime egg hunt for ages 10 and under. Preregister; space is limited. 7 to 8:30 p.m.

• Bixby, March 23

Easter Fun Day Downtown at Washington Irving Park (13700 S. Memorial Dr.) features bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting, classic yard games with prizes, Easter photos, food trucks, a local flower truck and more. The event runs from Noon to 2 p.m., with an egg hunt at 1 p.m.

• Moore, March 23

The Easter Egg Scramble is from 10 to 11 a.m. at Buck Thomas Park (1903 NE 12th St.), the scramble starts at 10:30 a.m. for all ages and abilities. Fields will be divided into age groups with one field designated for participants with special needs. Bring your own basket for eggs and candy!

• Midwest City, March 23

Come have Breakfast with the Easter Bunny & Egg Hunt at Rose State College (6420 SE 15th Street) from 9 to 11 a.m.Features age-divided egg hunts, photos with the Easter bunny, arts, crafts and games. Donuts, juice and coffee will be served. Bring your baskets!

• Oklahoma City, March 23

Come to the Orr Family Farm Eggstravaganza at (14400 S. Western Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy specialty shakes, candy cannons, egg hunts, and the Easter Bunny himself, the Easter Eggstravaganza promises a festive and fun time for all! 

• Norman, March 29

Features an egg hunt at Andrews Park (201 W Daws Street) Get photos with the spring bunny, yard games, music, sno cones and more from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The egg hunt will start promptly at 6:30 and there will age divided sections as well as an accessibility section.

• Oklahoma City, March 30

The Easter Express Train will be rolling along the tracks at the Oklahoma Railway Museum (3400 NE Grand Blvd.) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You and your family can ride the train to our annual Easter egg hunt. The museum grounds will have a moon bounce, mini golf and an Easter scavenger hunt! Advance purchase is recommended. The trains leave the depot at 9:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Children ages 13 years and older $15, ages3-12 $8 and children two and under are free!

• Edmond, March 30

Free Community Easter Egg Hunt at Chisholm Creek Baptist Church (17600 N. Western Ave.) features an Easter egg hunt, prizes, inflatables, crafts and more.

• Edmond, March 30

St. Luke’s Easter Egg Hunts will be at the Edmond Campus (900 N Sooner Road) on Saturday, March 30. With over 20,000 eggs, face painting, and the Easter Bunny, there will be fun for the entire family. The hunts will start at 9 and 11 a.m. for children up to 5th grade. Your family can also enjoy Donut NV Edmond and Blessed & Highly Caffeinated food trucks. 

• Oklahoma City, Thru March 30

The Market and The Shoppes at NorthPark (10904 N May Ave.) will host photos with the Easter Bunny thru March 30. He will be set up near JCPenney on the following days:

• Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
• Friday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Oklahoma City, March 31

Celebrate Easter in style at the Omni OKC Hotel (121 SW 4th St.) Brunch with the Easter Bunny from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. After enjoying memorable egg-celent activities with families and friends, come on over to Omni OKCHotel and experience our take on the traditional Easter Sunday Brunch. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., try specialty entrees, sides, stations and desserts, honoring the holiday. Listen to live music, children can interact with on-site face painters, completing their Easter outfit and best of all, a visit from the Easter bunny in person! Make sure to grab a family photo with them to commemorate the day! It will become a treasured memory! For more details, reservations and a look at the culinary offerings, visit Seltzer's Modern Diner on OpenTable.*$75 for Adults. $35 for Children 6-12. Complimentary for Children 5 & under. The price is per person. Tax & gratuity NOT included.

Your Ideal team wishes you a happy spring, a blessed Easter season and a hunt like no other! Hippity hoppity!