Easter is a time for reflection and celebration in the biblical calendar and a time when children's parties are on the agenda. However, with countless people living in apartments, and the Easter holiday occurring in the cooler months in many parts of the world, arranging an outdoor party is a challenge
So, for those accorded the task of arranging an indoor Easter party, here are three 'eggy' ideas. To complement these games, see the article entitled "The Giant Indoor Easter Egg Hunt", which provides a unique way for children to hunt because they can do so without moving from their chairs!
Egg and Spoon Race
A traditional favourite of all time, the egg and spoon race is a fun activity for children and adults alike, and other than boiling eggs, little preparation is needed. Equipment for an egg and spoon race is simply one spoon and one hard-boiled egg per child. Children's names should be written on the eggs and before the game begins, children must be given clear instructions of the route that they must take to walk around the room and told that their eggs must remain balanced on their spoons as they walk.
Each child must walk to the beat of the music and that if their egg falls to the floor, they may pick it up and continue walking providing that it isn't cracked. If it is cracked, they are out of the game and must sit and watch until the winner, the last person carrying an unbroken egg, is identified. Each piece of music used should increase in tempo if the game is not to last all day!
Easter Memory Game
This is a fun game which will tax the memories of all concerned. Whilst individuals can play against each other, it also makes a great team game, but whichever way the game is played, it does need a little preparation. Advance preparation requires sticking pictures of items beginning with the letter 'E' onto at least 20 egg shaped cards. Ideas for items are as follows: eagle, ear, earmuff, earrings, eclipse, egg, eggcup, eggplant, Egyptian, elastic, elbow, elephant, elevator, elf, elk, embroidery, encyclopedia, endive, engine, envelope, eraser, escalator, Eskimo, explosive, extinguisher, eye and eyeglass.
When ready to play, the cards should be laid on a table but covered so no-one can see them until teams have been selected and everyone is ready to begin. Children should be divided into small groups, and if the party includes children from across the age range, then each group should include a good mix of children, so all teams stand an equal chance of winning. When teams are ready, the covering should be removed from the pictures and everyone invited to walk around the table with the instruction that they must remember as many items as they can in two minutes.
When two minutes have passed, the pictures should be covered once more and each group provided with pen and paper, so they can list as many items as their team members can remember. The winning group is the one that can recall the most items. This game can be made harder by adding items beginning with other letters of the word ‘Easter’ and by increasing the number of cards. It can also be made easier by extending the time allowed for studying items. It is important to select a level of difficulty suitable for the age of the party guests.
Matching Eggs
Again, this game requires a little preparation, but once prepared, it's an easy and fun game to play. Large egg shapes must be cut from old greeting cards or pages from a magazine. Five times as many eggs are needed as there are guests attending the party. Each egg shape should be cut into half using cracked egg cuts, and the two halves separated to make two piles. When it is time to play, the pieces from just one pile must be displayed onto the floor so that each half can be seen by the children standing around the outside.
At the start of the game, each should be given one half of an egg from the remaining pile with instructions that they must find search the eggs displayed on the floor to find it's other half to make a complete egg. When a child matches an egg, they return for another piece to match. When all of the pieces are matched, the child with the most eggs in the possession is the winner.
Easter Party Prizes
With three Easter activities planned and ready to use, all that remains is for the game organizer to ensure enough prizes are in hand, so that winners can be rewarded!
Elaine Pounder - Wife, mother and grandmother now living in an empty nest in Abu Dhabi where I'm delighted to find some of my own long held dreams are ...
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