By Robert Nickell, McClatchy-Tribune
Our family’s Easter celebrations have ranged from the traditional to the creative, but as long as the family is together we always have fun. Here are my suggestions to make your Easter extra special.
- LAWN GAMES: Venture beyond the traditional Easter egg hunt and create a series of lawn games that your family can participate in all together. I suggest a family relay race while balancing an egg on a spoon; “hopping” like a bunny in a sac race across the yard or even an egg toss (similar to a water balloon toss) — might I suggest using hard boiled eggs?
- FAMILY OUTING: Take advantage of your time together by doing something as a family. You could attend Easter service, take a picnic to a park, head to the beach (if you live near one), take a spring family ski day, or even do something completely non-traditional like go to Disneyland. It’s not every day that the whole family can be together without the interference of work or school. Whatever you do, leave the cellphone behind and be present and together all day long.
- THE HUNT IS ON: Of course it wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt. Gather all of the children inside for a snack and sneak outside to hide eggs everywhere! Divvy up baskets and let your kids loose to run around the yard gathering eggs and candy. But it doesn’t have to be all about candy — it can be really fun to put homemade coupon cards inside of the plastic eggs, too. Create coupons for “ice cream with daddy,” “an outing with daddy,” etc. Your kids will love it, and they’ll be “cashing” in their coupon cards in the months to come.
- ARTS AND CRAFTS: My kids have always enjoyed making things; therefore, arts and crafts are a must. When Easter rolls around each year we like to make bunny masks and decorate eggs, too. Everyone enjoys being creative and there always are smiles around the table.
Remember, above all else, Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ so make sure to take time during the Easter meal to say a prayer and give thanks. Please enjoy the time you’re spending with family.
Robert Nickell, aka Daddy Nickell, father of seven, offers his five cents-worth of advice to expectant and new parents. Daddy Nickell is the founder of Daddyscrubs.com, delivery room duds and daddy gear for dads, and the Daddyscrubs.com blog where he covers topics about parenting and the latest baby and kids gear, all from a dad’s perspective. Read more at http://blog.daddyscrubs.com/.
