I was a cousin that was neither in the “older” group or the “younger” group. I was kind of on the cusp as we were growing up. Eventually, the younger set was who I spent more time with, and I am closer with, but when I started to hit the tweenage years and we were hosting Easter every other year for my dad’s family, I was in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt.

Of course, it was the traditional hide the candy event every year as a rule. How I set it up (outside or inside depending on the weather, calendar and well…Minnesota) was up to me. Who got to go first, what the bags looked like, the candy itself…it made my Easter!

I like to continue this tradition to this day, although for my nuclear family I like to make it a more formal scavenger hunt. To do this, I have to have both clues as to where the nephews, or adults, have to find their prize and next clue. This means I spend a little time picking out the treats that will be at each clue. Instead of a plethora of chocolate eggs or plastic eggs with jellybeans, I find fun little items to add some festivity to the event.

The clues, of course, are the most important part. I have used several variations from different creators through the years.

Brittany from Play, Party, Plan has a couple of different ideas. This one has readable clues that kids can look for while another has simply color coded egg finding, great for prereaders who know their colors. There is also a teen clue version for the too cool for school teens.

These are all great, but you can access completely free variations as well. Check out my Pinterest collection for many different options! There are multiple versions of clues, depending on whether you are inside or outside or a combination of both.

The ideas have been enough for me to be able to do a different version for the extent of my nephews’ memories of Easter.

At each stop along the way I like to have a small little gift. I try not to give too much sugar, because I know they will get quite a bit and it isn’t quite as exciting as finding some trinket to play with.

Sometimes just cuing them to the next clue and not focusing on the toy is the trick! In past years I have purchased Crayola’s Egg Shaped Sidewalk Chalk and Egg Shaped PlayDoh. Silly Putty is always a no brainer, as it is shaped like an egg.

This store was good for a couple of great scores for the boys. I found dinosaurs that hatch out of eggs when you drop them in water and the super fun capsules that dissolve and make sponges.

Of course, they are dino shaped, like these.

The items don’t even have to be large. You could walk the birthday party aisle at Target or Walmart and find bags of little trinkets. Stickers fit in little plastic eggs and so do fake tattoos.

Bubbles are harder to fit in the egg, but if you are able stash items stealthily on the hunt, then kids could have something to do outside after the hunt with any sugar energy.

Because, despite the other items, who doesn’t love a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Egg? Or a little Bunny Munny? Okay, maybe skip the Bunny Munny unless you are really a fan.

For me, I will take the Cadbury Mini Eggs, please.

What's your favorite Easter treat to hide?