Easter egg hunt clues and planning

However, my memories are very different. My sibling and I used to have to follow clues, which would lead through to other clues hidden in an Easter egg hunt trail all around the house and garden. Whoever found these first got to read the next clue and eventually, we would end up with the last clue leading to the chocolate Easter eggs we were hunting. This is a bright and happy memory for me, as a very small child (under eight) and so I have, as a parent now done the same for my children.

This is the kind of thing that gets more fun if there are lots of people involved and if the clues are a little ambiguous, so it's recommended for at least two children. I'm lucky enough to have three who are old enough to play and have often watched as all three hare off in different directions to find the next clue. I'll often send them outside the house into the garden, where clues have been known to be hidden in and on trees, in cars, toys, and anywhere else I could find. We have a large garden and so the children will be seen rushing from one end to the other, the top of the house and back out again, as they work out where the next clue could be.

We also have a lot of animals and one year I pinned a clue onto one of the cat's collars, making sure that all three cats (two of whom had pieces of paper with the words 'not here' rolled up and ready to be found) were happily sat next to the three children as we gave the first clue, which of course led straight to the cats. Children being children, immediately lunged for the closest cat, which, realising that it was now the target of a child stampede, quickly made its getaway upstairs. Result ; three cats, three children, each heading in a different direction.

Hillarious and all on video I might add.

Before anyone complains about this, we have three very well loved and docile cats, used to being handled by children, who are very gentle with them, and the cats took this in good humour and with mild interest once the children caught up to them - I wouldn't suggest anyone else does this however, so don't! :-)

In case anyone points out the obvious here, yes the doors and windows were shut too!

I am an old pro at this now. It takes about twenty to thirty minutes to come up with hiding places, write the clues and plant them. I use the following method:

1) Decide upon a hiding place for the second clue (you have to give them the first clue).

2) Write a little riddle, or clue that leads to the first place. I usually try to rhyme this, but it's not a competition for rhymes, so don't stress over it - It's supposed to be fun, so don't worry if the rhyme is naff! Depending upon the age of the children, make the clues ambiguous. That way, they'll have fun hunting. So, you might say that the clue is where daddy eats. So, is that hidden under his place mat at the table, under the table where he sits, under his chair or even where he sits to eat in front of the TV? Don't make it too hard though and be prepared to give clues if they're totally lost!

3) Decide upon the second hiding place and follow step 2), hiding this clue at the first spot.

TIP: Roll up the piece of paper into a small tube, so it's more difficult to find and always leave an end sticking out.

4) Repeat this process so that you have a number of clues hidden at a number of places.

5) I find it's best to have a master list; clue 2 leads to hiding place and so on, so that you know where the next one is before the children do.

6) Hide the Easter eggs and make that the destination of the last clue

Tip: I have found it easier to work out where my clues will be hidden and then write them out on the computer. That way, it's easy to have a master list copy and you can easily print out and cut up the clues.

I'm very like Monica, I think rules make games fun :-)

Here are my suggested, tried and tested rules. Add your own at will!

1) If there's more than one child, then make sure they all get turns at reading the clue, as otherwise the slowest, or youngest (usually the same) will get left out (not fun)

2) The person reading the clue must do so out loud and not run off until they've finished reading it out loud and not pre read it!

3) No door slamming to stop others!

4) No peeking - make sure the children are all in a room as you hide the clues around the house etc.

Don't forget to video the whole proceeding - I know, it's extra work., but it's worth it.

I hope you've enjoyed this lens - if you have please vote for it / me - I'm a newbee here.