Backyard Easter egg hunts are a staple of the holiday. They’re also a lot of work.
Thankfully several events in the Springfield area this weekend give children a safe place to hunt for eggs and prizes while saving their adults time and trouble. Some of them even have activities for grownups, too.
Check out this roundup of community events and get hopping!
Easter egg hunt at Itty Bitty City
Indoor play center Itty Bitty City will have fabulous prizes available during its Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 30. It gets underway at 9 a.m. The hunt is free with admission.
Here’s how it works: Eggs will be hidden throughout the “city” with prizes inside. Each family can find one egg and take it to a staff member to be opened. Some eggs will contain allergy-friendly candy, but that’s not all. Itty Bitty City is also giving away:
- 24 daily passes
- 24 toys
- Five monthly memberships
- Three yearly memberships
- Two birthday parties
There are 16 play areas inside Itty Bitty City, giving children ages 1-12 a chance to pretend to cook pizza, shop in a grocery store, play house and more. Admission rates range from $11 to $15. Memberships are also available.
Find it: Itty Bitty City, 3640 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield
Indoor egg hunt at Discovery Center Springfield
While the forecast for Easter weekend looks good for now, we all know how fickle spring in the Ozarks can be. Remove weather from the equation with an all-day indoor egg hunt at Discovery Center Springfield.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and is free with admission.
Eggs will be hidden across the six combined floors at the center and will be restocked every hour. Your youngster can trade eggs in for prizes — and learn a little bit of science.
Admission to Discovery Center Springfield is $10 for children 3-15 and $15 for those 16 and older. Members and children ages 0-2 get in free.
Find it: Discovery Center Springfield, 438 E. St. Louis St., Springfield
Easter Eggstravaganza at Farmers Market of the Ozarks
Farmers Market of the Ozarks is a Saturday morning tradition for many in the Queen City and its Easter Eggstravaganza is a great way to start your holiday weekend. There will be egg hunting for the little ones all morning, starting at 9 a.m. Eggs can be taken to the market hub and exchanged for candy.
The day also features the second annual Bunny Bolt. It’s a “hip-hopping race” through the market with prizes for the winners (the first to tag the racing carrot at the end).
“At 10 a.m. and noon we’ll do our bunny hop race — it’s for grown-ups and kids, with prizes for each,” market manager Jesse Stone said. “It’s pretty short, about 50 feet, and the racers are hopping the whole time!”
Find it: Farmers Market of the Ozarks, 2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield
The Great Egg Hunt with Mission Conservation at Wonders of Wildlife
The team at Wonders of Wildlife promises an “egg-sea-llent” scavenger hunt throughout the aquarium Sunday, March 31, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The event is free for all children with general admission tickets.
Hunters can search for hidden egg-shaped treasures using the Mission Conservation app. Those who collect all 10 treasures and complete the mission can pick up a special Easter prize at Wonders of Wildlife’s gift shop counter or ticket counter.
Single-day passes for children 4-11 range from $22.75-$24.95, while adult tickets range from $38-$45.75. Children 3 and under are admitted free. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. Same-day walk-up passes are available but are generally more expensive than online.
Find it: Wonders of Wildlife, 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield
Easter Day Celebration and Egg Hunt at 14 Mill Market
Let someone else handle the egg hunt and the cooking at 14 Mill Market in Nixa. The food hall’s Easter Day Celebration and Egg Hunt is on Sunday, March 31, from noon-3 p.m.
The egg hunt begins at 1 p.m. and is for kids ages 10 and under. Guests will need to bring their own baskets. 14 Mill Market will also have a photo backdrop so you can snap some Easter photos.
But that’s not all. Vendors will be serving up brunch specials and the Wisner Bar will have $3 mimosas.
Find it: 14 Mill Market, 203 E. Mt. Vernon St., Nixa
Shop n’ Hop at Renegade Harley-Davidson
Have a child who is in love with motorcycles? Don’t miss the Shop N’ Hop event at Renegade Harley-Davidson from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30. The Ozark Mountain Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, aka H.O.G., is assisting with the event.
The Easter egg hunts will be divided into age groups as follows:
- 2-4 years old, 10 a.m.
- 5-6 years old, 10:30 a.m.
- 7-8 years old, 11 a.m.
- 9-10 years old, 11:30 a.m.
Other activities include photos with the Easter Bunny, a bounce house, live music and BBQ. Bike blessings will be held throughout the event. The Brookline Fire Department will also make an appearance.
Find it: Renegade Harley-Davidson, 3980 W. Sunshine St., Springfield
Trans Day of Visibility Scavenger and Egg Hunt
There will be events for kids as well as adults when the Springfield Transgender and Ally Resource Team and the GLO Center team up for a Trans Day of Visibility Scavenger and Egg Hunt from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 at the GLO Center.
The children’s egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. Guests can also test their knowledge of Springfield-area LGBTQ+ history with a scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded for both events.
The event is part of START’s weekend-long observation of Trans Day of Visibility, which is sometimes shortened to TDOV. There will be an education panel and “Human Library” held at the Fairbanks Community Center on Friday, March 29, from 4-6 p.m.
A Trans Day of Visibility cultural event is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, from noon-4 p.m. There will be performers, speakers, vendor booths and free gender-affirming services, including haircuts. That event will also be held at the Fairbanks.
Find it: The GLO Center, 518 E. Commercial St., Springfield
