It’s almost Easter! If you have young children, you are probably planning a fun and colorful Easter egg event for them. In some towns, the US Easter Bunny hides eggs and candy in bright colors. But sometimes, the hunt can become too competitive, and younger participants can be left with barely any prize.

So, if you’ve decided to take the matter into your own hands this year and plan a unique treasure hunt for your kids, here are some tips to make the most of it!

Pick a location away from the public

Ultimately, you don’t want to hide your kids’ eggs in a public park. With too many variables to consider, you could end up losing your eggs to other people. So, instead, you want to look for locations that are unlikely to be crowded.

If you are a homeowner, your backyard can be the best spot. It’s private, and it also gives you the opportunity to create a little parkour for your kids to follow.

Alternatively, if you don’t have access to a garden, you can consider wooded areas and hills in your surroundings. For instance, you can easily mark a safe search area using ribbons and flags. One thing to bear in mind is to avoid off-road tracks unless your car can handle it. The last thing you want during Easter is to call your local Auto Glass shop to get your windshield fixed after taking your kids on a remote treasure hunt.

Mark the eggs on a map

In the excitement of the moment, you might forget where you hid the eggs. The first rule of hiding eggs is to remember where you put them! Regardless of whether you are hiding them in your backyard or in another location, take the time to map the area and mark the different hiding spots.

If you hide eggs for more than one kid, you want to keep things fair. Pack different colors or designs and assign one to each kid. Make sure to add the info as you mark where the eggs are hidden.

Don’t leave the eggs unattended

Choosing the right location will reduce the risks of “accidental” theft, such as other kids candidly finding your eggs. But this doesn’t mean the eggs are safe. If you have pets, it is a good idea to keep them out of the way during the egg hunt. They could soil the eggs or the ground near the eggs.

Ideally, you should consider wrapping the eggs in colorful paper so they are never in direct contact with dirt.

Keep the hunt fair and organized

Young kids get excited by treasure hunts even more when they can get a treat. While a little excitement can be fun, it’s important not to overdo it. Overstimulating kids will only lead to tears and screams.

Let kids search one at a time to help them play calmly, or divide the search area so each can play without being interrupted.

You can also schedule some time for a story after the egg hunt. This will allow kids to sit and calm down and prevent sensory overload tantrums.

Planning a treasure egg this Easter can be fun for young kids. But you could also use similar principles for older kids. Instead of hiding the eggs in the garden, you can use a locked box. Older kids can search for clues to unlock the box rather than eggs.