sat 13
EASTER BUNNY EXPRESS
Hop, hop, hop! Hop aboard a special train ride with the Easter bunny. New this year, the train will make a stop at the Lebanon Sports Complex for a bigger and better Easter egg hunt where all children will receive at least five eggs. Trains depart on April 6, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 27 at 10 a.m., 12:15, 2:30 and 4:45 p.m.; buy tickets today, this popular event will sell out! (There will be no 2:30 or 4:45 p.m. departures on April 6; there will be no 10 a.m. departure on April 19.) Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 South Mechanic St., Lebanon, Oh; $22 adults, $18 seniors and ages 2 – 16 years old, free for ages 1 year old and under.; 513-933-8022 or lebanonrr.com/easter.
FREE GREEN TOWNSHIP EGG HUNT
Bring the family for an excellent egg hunt! Don’t forget to bring Easter baskets and a pair of rain boots, if necessary. The egg hunt begins at 1 p.m. SHARP; be sure to allow extra time for parking and getting to the park. Veterans Park, 6303 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati; 1 p.m.; 513-574-4848 or greentwp.org/parks-department/special-events/.
FREE HOPPIN’ AT HARBIN EGG HUNT
With more eggs than ever, the City of Fairfield Easter egg hunt is back! Bring an Easter basket to collect eggs in and enjoy the “hop-stacle” course before the hunt begins. There will be designated areas for ages 3 years old and under, 4 – 5 years old and 6 – 8 years old. Don’t forget a camera, there will be a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny in the Gazebo. Photos start at 10:30 a.m. Egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. SHARP; Harbin Park, 1300 Hunter Road, Fairfield, Oh; 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.; 513-858-7750 or fairfield-city.org.
FREE SPRINGBORO EASTER EGG DROP
Look out below! Higher Ground Helicopters will be dropping Easter eggs for children to collect. Arrive before 11 a.m. to find the correct age range drop zone for children ages 2 – 12 years old. The first drop starts at 11 a.m. SHARP with a second drop soon after. Don’t miss out on this unique Easter egg activity! Clearcreek Park, 3500 West Lower Springboro Road, Franklin, Oh; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; cityofspringboro.com.
FREE SPECIAL NEEDS EASTER EGG HUNT (register)
Head to Grace Chapel for the 3rd annual special needs Easter Egg hunt. There will be hunts designed specifically for children who are visually impaired, are in wheelchairs or have sensory needs PLUS there will be face painting, inflatables, games, a petting zoo and visits with the Easter bunny, too. Grace Chapel, 406 4th Ave., Mason; 2 – 4p.m., visit grace-chapel.com/events to register.
FREE WASHINGTON PARK EASTER EGG HUNT
Bring the little ones to the park for a hunt with over 10,000 Easter eggs! Hunts will be staggered throughout the day and divided by age groups to ensure a fair hunt; each child can collect half a dozen eggs. There will be plenty to do in between egg hunts including games, inflatables, photos with Mr. Bunny and the Sunrock Farm petting zoo. This event is produced by 3CDC and is sponsored by Graeter’s Ice Cream, Galerie Candy and Gifts and Oriental Trading. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Cincinnati; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; 513-621-4400 ext. 119 or washingtonpark.org/events/egg-hunt/.
sun 14
DOG-GONE BONE HUNT (register)
Bring the family pooch for an Easter hunt designed just for them! Dogs can search for a dozen eggs filled with treats, participate in an obstacle course and get their picture taken at some great photo opportunities. Owners will enjoy vendors and concessions. Rentschler Forest MetroPark Reigart Road Area, 5701 Reigart Road, Hamilton, Oh; 12 – 3 p.m.; $5 per dog through April 8 $6 per dog after April 8; 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.
sat 20
BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY AT DAVE AND BUSTER’S (register)
Start the day off right with a delicious breakfast buffet and a $10 Dave and Buster’s power card! The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance, so be sure to bring a camera to take a photo. Each ticket holder will also take home a fun Easter goody bag. Dave and Buster’s, 11775 Commons Drive, Springdale, Oh; 9 – 11 a.m.; $23.36; 513-671-5501 or facebook.com/events/394986601311666/.
EASTER CELEBRATION AT CZBG
Spend an “egg-cellent” day at the zoo with the entire family. There will be a special animal enrichment schedule, treat stations throughout the zoo and even visits with the Easter Bunny. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati; 12 – 5 p.m.; included with zoo admission (see website for pricing information), free for members; 513-281-4700 or cincinnatizoo.org.
FREE EASTER EGG HUNT AT JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS
Hidden among rows of books are brightly colored Easter eggs, come help find them! Joseph-Beth Booksellers, 2692 Madison Road, Cincinnati; 11 a.m.; 513-396-8960 or josephbeth.com.
EGG ORIENTEERING
Orienteering Cincinnati, Inc. will be back at MetroParks for another chance for guests to experience egg orienteering. A variety of courses will be located throughout the park and each checkpoint will have plastic eggs that can be traded in for candy or toys at the end. Whether children are beginners or more advanced orienteers, there will be a course just for them. Adults can accompany children on the courses for no additional charge. Forest Run MetroPark Timberman Ridge, 1976 Timberman Road, Hamilton, Oh; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; $4 per child, $10 max per family. Advanced course pricing: $10 OCIN Club members, $15 general public; 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net.
FREE LIBERTY TOWNSHIP EGG HUNT
Families, come enjoy a morning filled with hunting eggs, prizes and visits with the Easter bunny. Liberty Center, 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township, Oh; 10 – 11:30 a.m.; 513-644-0900 or facebook.com/events/318691015447448/.
Four Tips on How to Get the Most of Your Easter Egg Hunt (from a been-there-done-that Mom who learned from her own mistakes):
- Beware of April showers – In case of inclement weather, call or check the organizers website to confirm that the event is rain/shine. Some events cancel or reschedule in the case of rain.
- Arrive EARLY! – Easter egg hunts start promptly and are over in the blink of an eye; they are truly a spectacle to behold. Be sure to plan for time to park and walk to the hunt destination.
- Bring your own Easter basket – Make it more fun by purchasing an inexpensive plastic basket and decorating it with stickers or by personalizing it with permanent markers.
- Have toddlers? Bring a few extra eggs filled with treats – Sometimes little ones can get caught in a crazed egg-hunting crowd. There is nothing worse than babies first real egg hunt resulting in an empty basket and tears. But you can come prepared! Play it up – “What’s that over here? Did someone miss these eggs? You found some of the Easter bunny’s eggs!” Crisis averted, Easter saved.