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Showing posts with label Easter activities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Easter activities. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Easter Games for Kids

Here in Rochester - and most of the northeast - we will not be having an outdoor egg hunt on Easter. The snow is melting, but the ground is soggier than your socks after some puddle jumping.

In preparation for our indoor festivities, my five-year-old helped me put together some fun, kid-tested, and kid-approved Easter games. We hope you find them helpful in planning your Easter festivities.

1. Egg Hunt
Players go on a scavenger hunt to find eggs, eggs, and more eggs!

Materials needed:

  • plastic eggs
  • small age-appropriate prizes or treats to place in the eggs (optional)
  • baskets or containers for each player

To keep the hunt fair for all ages, one egg-hunt method is to hide different color eggs for each player. When the hunt begins, players must only find their own color eggs and put them in their basket; they leave the other color eggs alone.

Another method is a group egg hunt. Hide clues in the eggs - instead of or in addition to the treats, with the final clue leading them to their Easter baskets. Be sure to have one clue ready to direct them to the first egg.

Or, you could go the more traditional route of hiding a ton of eggs and letting the kids go crazy.

2. Egg Tac Toe 
Toss plastic eggs and try to get them into 3 cups in a row

Materials needed:

  • 1 empty box
  • 9 plastic cups
  • glue gun, glue dots, or craft glue
  • green construction paper
  • scissors

Use glue to adhere cups into the empty box.
Cut slits into green paper to make grass; glue onto outer sides of box, overlapping pieces of paper as necessary.
Player tosses plastic eggs and tries to get them into three cups in a row. Depending on ages of children playing, you can limit the number of eggs they toss. For younger kids, let them keep going until they get it...and everyone is a winner.
3. Bocce Eggs
Roll plastic eggs and try to get your egg closest to the center target.

Materials needed:

  • painter's tape
  • plastic eggs (a different color per player)
Use painter's tape to create your target on the floor. Each player gets 3 plastic eggs of the same color (a different color for each player). Players take turns rolling one egg at a time, trying to get closest to the center. The egg closest to the center wins. Variation: Assign each area of the target a different number of points; add up each player's points to determine the winner.


4. Egg Race
Players use a straw to blow their plastic egg from the starting line to the finish line.

Materials needed:

  • plastic straw for each player
  • plastic egg for each player
  • painter's tape
Use painter's tape to mark the starting and finish lines. Give each player a straw and a plastic egg. Say, "Ready, set, go," to start the race. Players use their straw to blow their egg across the finish line.

5. Egg-on-a-Spoon Race
Players try to be the first one to cross the finish line, without letting their egg fall off the spoon.

Materials needed:

  • painter's tape
  • spoon for each player
  • plastic egg for each player
Mark a start and finish line on the floor with painter's tape, or use the same set up as the Egg Race, above. Each player puts a plastic egg on his or her spoon and then stands on the starting line. Say, "Ready, set, go," to start the race. Players walk to the finish line; if an egg falls off the spoon, the player picks up the egg and goes back to the starting line to try again.

6. Bunny Hop Relay
Players hop to a basket with an egg under their chin, and drop the egg in to fill the basket.

Materials needed:
  • 2 baskets per team
  • plastic eggs
  • bunny ears (optional)
Divide players into two teams (for younger kids or a small group, you may want to just play together on one team...more of a team-building game rather than a competitive game). Place a basket full of plastic eggs near the players; place an empty basket on the other side of the room. Say, "Ready, set, go," to begin the game. Players take turns placing an egg under their chin, hopping with it to the empty basket, and dropping the egg into the basket. That player hops back, and the next player goes. In a competitive version, the game ends when one team fills their basket. In a team-building version, the game is over when all the eggs are in the second basket.


7. Easter Moves
Players show off their moves, and shake out their sillies by picking two cards and following the instructions.

Materials needed:
  • 2 baskets
  • 2 colors of construction paper, 2 sheets each
  • scissors
  • marker
  • Easter-themed stickers
Cut each sheet of paper into roughly 2.5" x 2.5" squares. On one color, write a number from one through six on each square. There will be multiple copies of the same number. On the other color, use the Easter-themed stickers to put an image on each square; we used bunnies, chicks, eggs, and flowers. Fold the squares and place them in a basket, keeping the colors separate. 

Each player selects one card from each basket and follows the instructions. In our game, the stickers represent the following:
  • Bunny sticker = hop
  • Chick sticker = flap your wings and say, "Tweet!"
  • Egg sticker = roll on the floor (or a somersault)
  • Flower = do a crazy shake
For example, if a player picks a number "2" card and a "Bunny" card, he or she must hop like a bunny two times. Continue until all of the cards have been used.

8. Bunny
This game is similar to Cootie, except players are building an Easter bunny instead of a bug.

Materials needed:

  • white card stock (6-7 sheets)
  • construction paper: pink, black, and assorted colors for the bows
  • scissors
  • pencil
  • black marker
  • 1 glue stick per player
  • 1 white paper plate per player
  • 1 die
  • markers or crayons for each player
Use the card stock, construction paper, pencil, marker, and scissors to make features for the Bunnies: eyes, noses, cheeks, mouths with tongues/teeth, ears, and bows. This was my free-hand guide:

To play, each player will need a paper plate and a glue stick. Everyone takes turns rolling the die and selecting a feature for their bunny based on the number rolled:
  1. Eyes
  2. Nose
  3. Cheeks
  4. Mouth
  5. Ears
  6. Bow
As each feature is acquired, the player glues that piece onto their plate to create a Bunny face. Continue playing until everyone completes his or her Bunny. Provide crayons or markers at the end to add whiskers or other details.

9. Easter BINGO
Use jelly beans as Bingo markers and try to get five in a row.

Materials needed:
  • Easter-themed Bingo cards and calling cards (free download)
  • jelly beans for each player
Each player gets a Bingo card and some jelly beans; everyone places a jelly bean on Free Space. Use the calling cards to call out an object and players place a jelly bean on the matching square on their own card. First player to get five in a row wins (and all players get to eat their Bingo markers at the end). 



10. Pin the Nose on the Easter Bunny
Just like Pin the Tail on the Donkey!

Materials needed:
  • Easter Bunny face (hand-made or purchased decoration)
  • pink construction paper
  • scissors
  • masking tape
  • blindfold
Use the pink paper and scissors to cut enough noses for each player; place a roll of masking tape on the back of each nose. Hang the Easter Bunny face low enough that the players can reach easily. Players take turns getting blindfolded (optional for younger players), spun around, and then trying to place the nose on the Bunny - as close to the real nose as possible.

Whether you have a winner for each game, or make everyone a winner for participating, we hope these games provide tons of entertainment and laughs at your Easter celebration. As always, thanks for reading.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Family Fun This Weekend

Once again, here is your guide to fun for this weekend. But first, a look at the bizarre things to celebrate over the next few days:

Did you know that today, Friday, March 22, is National Goof Off Day? Be sure to relax and do something fun!

Grab your favorite tortillas and salsa (or kettle chips and onion dip) because Saturday, March 23 is National Chip and Dip Day.

Make a yummy snack mix on Sunday, March 24 for National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day. Throw in some dried fruit, mini pretzels, and of course some chocolate-covered raisins.


ONGOING
  
Race: Are We So Different?
Daily through Sunday, April 28, 2013
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Explore the stories of race from biological, cultural, and historical points of view. This new exhibit features hands-on activities, 3-D animation, and more. Included with regular museum admission.

LEGO Travel Adventure
Daily through May 12, 2013
National Museum of Play at The Strong, One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Hands-on LEGO and DUPLO building stations, racing ramps, tons of LEGO displays by LEGO Master Builders, and even a spot to take a photo of your own creation and email it to yourself or friends and family. Included with regular museum admission. Check out the ROCmomma review here.
FRIDAY

Game Night
Friday, March 22 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. (repeats on Fridays through June 14, 2013)
ArtsROC, 3462 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY
Kids ages 5-12 can enjoy movies, Wii, Xbox, Minecraft, tons of LEGOs, and a pizza party for $25 at ArtsROC. Call (585) 218-9125 or email info@artsroc.net for more information. Or click here to register.

Free Family Night: Family Kickball
Friday, March 22 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
YMCA- Southeast, 111 East Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY
The Adventure Center is open until 9 p.m. (remember your socks!), enjoy pizza in the Lobby at 5:45 p.m until it runs out ($1/slice), join in a Family Kickball Game at 6:15 p.m., and swim in the pool until 9 p.m. Free and open to the community.

SATURDAY

Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast 
Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
YMCA Camp Arrowhead, 20 Arrowhead Road, Pittsford, NY
Enjoy a yummy pancake breakfast, meet the Easter bunny, play games, make arts & crafts, and more. There will be two separate egg hunts - one for ages 5 and under, and one for ages 6 - 12. Register online or at the Southeast YMCA (111 E. Jefferson Road, Pittsford, NY) up until March 22nd; $7.50 per person or $32 per family (up to six people). Registration at the event is $12 per person or $45 per family (up to six people). Children under age two are free and should be included in the family count. This event is open to the community; you do not have to be a member of the YMCA.

Easter Party
Saturday, March 23 from 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Created by Us Ceramic Studio, 3 Railroad Street, Fairport, NY
Join the Easter Party for an Easter Egg Hunt, pottery painting, and cookie decorating. Open to ages 5 and up for $20 per child. Younger children welcome with an adult. Reservations required: (585) 223-8210.

5th Annual HUGE Easter Egg Hunt Benefit
Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m.
Bloomfield Elementary School, 45 Maple Avenue, Bloomfield, NY
Three indoor Easter Egg Hunts for ages 0-3, 4-8, and 9 & up, with over 4000 eggs and 3 prize baskets per age group. All participants win a prize bag filled with goodies. Take pictures with the Easter Bunny,  play in the bounce house, or stop by the bake sale, carnival games, crafts, and face painting.  Admission is a $3 donation per child; donations benefit the Patrick Parrish Memorial Scholarship Fun in memory of a local student.

Meet LEGO Easter Bunny
Saturday, March 23 from 12 - 3 p.m.
ArtsROC School of Art, Music, & Language, 3462 Monroe Avenue, Pittsford, NY
Bring your 5-cent recyclables to ArtsROC to help support Catherine's Peace Team with your donation. You'll have a chance to get your picture taken with LEGO Easter Bunny, take home a free LEGO chocolate, and help build a LEGO Easter scene. 

Open Gym & Extreme Sports Practice Night
Saturday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. (repeats Saturdays through May 25)
Sports Academy of Victor, 6385 Route 96, Victor, NY
Have fun with mats, sports equipment, tumble track, foam pit, turf field, batting cages, spring floor, and inflatables. Instructors are available to help. For ages 6 and up; cost is $10.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY 

Saturday, March 23 - Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Various Locations Throughout New York State (use the zip code search to find a location near you)
Enjoy a pancake breakfast, or just find out how maple syrup gets from a tree to your table, at one of the many Maple Weekend celebrations in New York. Several locations also have activities for kids, such as  Genesee Country Village & Museum. Check out ROCmomma's review of Maple Weekend 2012 here.

Saturday, March 23 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 24 from 1 - 5 p.m.
National Museum of Play at The Strong, One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Meet Martha the Talking Dog, and enjoy story time featuring Martha books. Don't forget your camera! Included with regular museum admission.

SUNDAY

Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Castle Creek Farm, 3760 Rush Mendon Road, Mendon, NY
Sunday, March 24 from 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt from 12 - 12:30 p.m. is held in the indoor ring and outdoor facilities (rain or shine). Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny, go on a pony ride, make arts and crafts, enjoy face painting, and check out the farm and petting zoo. Homemade baked goods and snacks will be available.  Admission is $8 per child, or $5 per child for families with 2 or more children.

Salseros
Sunday, March 24 from 12 - 3 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
Experience Hispanic culture through dance with the University of Rochester's Spanish and Latino American Student Association. Included with general admission.

Family Movie Day: Wreck-It Ralph
Sunday, March 24 from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Rochester Public Library (Central Library), 115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY
Families are invited to come to the Children's Center of the Central Library to watch Wreck-It Ralph (rated PG). This program is free, so bring the whole family. No registration required.

Have a great weekend! As always, thanks for reading.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Easter Egg Hunts in the Rochester Area

This Easter season, there are plenty of egg hunts, and even a bunny hunt, for the kids to enjoy. We have participated in the egg hunt at Camp Arrowhead for the past few years, so I can highly recommend that one. (details for other events are at the bottom of this page)

SATURDAY, MARCH 23
The Annual Camp Arrowhead Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast will take place on Saturday, March 23 from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at YMCA Camp Arrowhead, 20 Arrowhead Road, Pittsford, NY.

The yummy pancake breakfast buffet is held in one of the camp shelters. Grab a table, load up your plate, and dig in! After breakfast, kids can enjoy crafts and games. If the weather cooperates, the playground and giant sandbox provide lots of entertainment. Older kids (8+) can even climb the alpine tower.
There are two separate hunts: one for ages 5 and under, and one for ages 6-12. The hunts take place in the fairy tale forest, with adorable little play houses.
I like the candy house the best.
Kids have a blast filling their bag (provided) with eggs.
If you are lucky enough to find the golden egg, you can win a free week of camp! No such luck for us, but we don't mind.
After the hunt, kids turn in their eggs for a goodie bag filled with door prizes.
Above, my little one is pulling off an Easter bunny mask, which was in his goodie bag.

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