Each spring, we stuff our shopping carts with candy and plastic colorful eggs in anticipation of one of the biggest brunch days of the year: Easter. How did a religious holy day celebrating the rebirth of Jesus take on a bunny with colorful eggs as its most prominent mascot? The exact origin is unclear, but the decorating of eggs is said to date back to the 13th century, when pagan custom treated the egg as a symbol of spring, new life and rebirth. Early Christians later began dyeing eggs red to symbolize the blood of Jesus and deemed the hard eggshell a representation of the sealed Tomb of Christ. Others attribute the tradition to Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter wherein eggs were a forbidden food: people decorated them to mark the end of the fast before enjoying them on Easter Sunday. The Easter bunny made his first appearance in America during the 1700s, traveling from Germany, where he was known as an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase.” Here we list some local Easter eggs hunts that are perfect for the family.
Breakfast with the Bunny
Enjoy a breakfast complete with pancakes, eggs, bacon and pastries, an egg hunt, carousel rides and more at the Tilden Park in Berkeley.
$5 for ages 0-2, $35 for ages 3-12 and $60 for ages 13 and up. In Tilden Park, Berkeley, on April 6, 12 and 13 from 9–11 a.m. and April 20 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 2–4 p.m.
Flashlight Egg Hunt
This egg hunt has a bit of a nontraditional twist – at nightfall, participants will be equipped with glow gear and a flashlight before embarking on a hunt for glow-in-the-dark eggs. Prizes cater to the teen age group, with offerings like headphones or even a TV.
Free, ages 10-14 welcome, in Grove Park, Berkeley on April 18 from 7–9 p.m.
Spring Faire
Celebrate the warmth and vibrance of spring with this annual fair that caters to the whole family. There will be food and craft vendors, a toddler zone to keep little ones occupied, bounce houses, an egg hunt and more.
At the Mill Valley Community Center, Mill Valley, on March 29, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt and Parade
The day starts with a parade, followed by an egg hunt that’s divided up by age group to ensure fair competition. In Harmony Music will play live music, and face painting, family caricatures and an Easter bonnet contest will be part of the fun too. There’s even an adult egg hunt at the end of the day for those that want to tap into their inner child and have some fun, too. BYOB (bring your own basket).
Free except for adult egg hunt at $25 per registration. In Dunphy Park, Sausalito, on April 19 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Naturally Dyed Felted Eggs
Take a step back from the synthetic dyes found in-stores, and enjoy the experience of using natural options. This hands-on workshop provides six felted wool eggs and the array of natural colors to decorate them with.
Prices range from $10-$30, at UC Botanical Garden, UC Berkeley. On April 13, from 9:30–10:30 a.m.
