Increasingly known in our country, the game of "Easter egg hunt" is a tradition in countries such as the Czech Republic, France, Poland and Germany, from where it has been exported to the American continent. Perhaps you think that it is nonsense, far from the values that we associate with Holy Week; however, this is not the case. To begin with, every religious rite has its pagan origin. (What do eggs have to do with this? 😉), and to continue, chocolate is to be eaten occasionally and without abuse, yes: but this is one of the dates when - in moderation - we can allow it.
The egg is an iconic element: keep in mind that Easter always coincides with the first full moon of Spring. And what does Spring represent if not fertility and life? After all, the egg also accompanies the Easter monkeys in the Valencian Community. Keep reading, and I'll tell you what this egg hunt is about: I think we can be inspired by traditions, and at the same time adapt to our possibilities.
Eggs have another meaning associated with Easter: Lent is a time of recollection and fasting, in memory of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the desert, but at Easter everything changes, those who still maintain variations in their diet for reasons spiritual, they leave abstinence behind. And speaking of eggs, you have 3 possibilities for the little ones to have fun: of chocolate, empty and decorated, or cooked and decorated. The question is to do something, different, fun and exciting.
From the old continent to the new.
In Germany they have been looking for eggs in family gardens since the XNUMXth century, although not all do it in the same way; most of the families in this central European country, They have the egg as the axis of the celebration, and looking for them is not the only tradition. In France they later gave it a very beautiful meaning: on Easter Sunday the resurrection of Jesus Christ is recreated, and the bells ring for Gloria, but they also go to Rome in order to announce the good news: Back they are no longer the same: the chocolate eggs they contain fill public gardens and parks, to the delight of children (who look for them on Easter Monday).
The versions in the United States have a more commercial touch, and the eggs are turned into sculptures at the same time as large search engine competitions are organized (with important prizes)
Preparing our egg hunt.
You can discuss it with the moms of the neighbors, colleagues or friends of your children, you only need a few days to prepare it. These are the things to keep in mind:
- Find the place: open outdoor space or house with enough space to play the game comfortably.
- You will need help if: are children under the age of 6, or if they are over 15 in higher ages.
- Are the girls and boys you invite allergic to cow's milk protein, nuts or gluten? Keep this in mind when going to the store.
- Buy the eggs: enough for the cast to touch 2 for each participant. In case of allergies, and since children do not like dark chocolate, you can resort to treats suitable for everyone.
- Make paper baskets, or ask the other families to bring handbags.
- Think beforehand how you are going to hide them, and choose a time for this when the little ones are not yet (during school hours, or have someone entertain them).
- The instructions you give will necessarily be clear and simple: delimitation, the older ones help the little ones, all those who collect will be distributed equally.
- Awards? Personally, I don't like them: being able to eat chocolate can already be understood as an incentive, and if you reward those who find the most eggs, there will be a lot of competitiveness. Another thing is that verbalize the admiration for the abilities of the one who finds many: 'what a good sight you have', 'thanks to you we will taste that delicious chocolate'.
- Chocolate snack: all together, there is nothing like sharing.
Search for eggs outside the home.
Do you have a wooded park nearby? Do you live in a house with a garden? In a town near a natural setting? It is more than likely that you have the space insured. Then, ensure prior hygiene (a place not traveled by dogs, or very dirty), and try not to locate the activity in a passing area, so you will not disturb passersby.
Possible places to 'hide': under a tree, in pots, next to the fence, between large decorative rocks, in aromatic plants, in the picnic area, etc. If the children are over 7/8 years old, you can give clues like: 'I'm near that place where you go up to the fountain'; If they are very small, you can mark with balloons (which you will later collect) attached with string.
All waste is bagged before you go home
Search for eggs indoors.
It is advisable that you have spacious and safe rooms to be able to carry out the activity, and that you indicate (with stickers, flags or other elements, the rooms that cannot be entered)
The safety of girls and boys.
- Always define the space and be very clear with the explanations to the children.
- In public places, It will always be convenient for you to have help to supervise children under 9/10 years old.
- Be careful, because there may be dangerous places: near a pond, a broken and rusty metal fence, ...
- At home: no making them go up and down stairs; or hiding eggs on top of cabinets or in the kitchen. Check your home inch by inch and remove objects that they could trip over, decoration on the tables that could fall on them if they crawl to search, very small items that could cause choking, etc.
- Have everything they need for a snack on the table, so they will not be tempted to climb on the chairs to find a glass or cookies.
What alternatives exist to the search and what can be done with eggs?
You can invent variations, or resort to games from your childhood, like the race holding spoons with the mouth; It is also possible to make them roll (simulating one of those German traditions he told you about earlier), or turn the search into a team hunt game.
With this idea in mind, we are gradually completing this post on ideas for Easter that published by María José last week.
Image - (Third) NealeA