Springtime has arrived, Easter is on its way, and Augusta has no shortage of spring festivities for kids and families as it approaches—including Easter egg hunts.
More than 25 Easter egg hunts are scheduled in the CSRA over the next couple of weeks.
Since 2016, the Phinizy Center for Water Sciences has hosted its annual Alligator Egg Hunt, one of the quarterly community events the center puts on for kids, alongside the Halloween-themed “Spooktacular” event in October.
“I wanted events that were just focused on toddler community because there was a need,” said Park and Volunteers Director Kim Dillard, who started working at the Phinizy Center in 2015, working with children as an environmental educator. “There are a lot of caregivers out there who are looking for things for their toddlers to do, especially during the week.”
The park will have six stations set up, including two arts and craft stations. One is Master’s-themed, in which kids try to “feed” alligators pellets with small putters. Another has them feeding frogs by tossing little flies made of yarn into the frogs’ mouths. The “Eggstacle” has players balancing eggs on objects while making their way through an obstacle course.
“What we tried to do is put a lot of fine motor skills in these activities with toddlers, as they’re still developing those; so it’s fun for them,” Dillard said.
No real alligators eggs are harmed—or used—in the actual egg hunt, but kids do get to return the plastic eggs they find in exchange for bags full of treats and toys.
The Alligator Egg Hunt will be at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park at 1858 Lock and Dam Road, on Tuesday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and again at 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per child. To register visit https://phinizycenter.org/events/alligator-egg-hunt/.
The First Presbyterian Church of Augusta and the affiliated Westminster Schools are hosting the annual Augusta Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 25 at 9 a.m., then 10 a.m. Members of the 219-year-old church volunteer to coordinate the event, including hiding some 10,000 candy-filled eggs.
“This is the second year that the First Presbyterian Church of Augusta and Westminster Schools have partnered together to put on a free event for kids,” said assistant pastor John Fender. “Last year we had 500 kids register, but the heavy rain made for a smaller turnout.”
The eggs will be discreetly dispersed across two separate fields, one for kids ages five and under, and the other for ages six through third grade. The Augusta Egg Hunt will be at Westminster Schools of Augusta at 3067 Wheeler Road, Saturday, March 25, first at 9 a.m., then again at 10 a.m. To register, visit https://augustaegghunt.com/.
Grovetown will have its third annual Spring Fest on Saturday morning, April 1, at Liberty Park. The city’s Leisure and Recreation Department is coordinating the event, which had formerly been celebrated as the Heritage Festival.
The Spring Fest will include its own Easter egg hunt, complete with Easter bunny photo ops, face painting, a petting zoo, inflatables and some 20,000 hidden eggs ready for the taking.
“The turnout last year was over 3,000,” said Grovetown public information officer Jordan Johnson. “We anticipate doing more than that this year. Every year it just grows and grows.”
Other local egghunts include the Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt on the lawn of the Harlem Library, on March 28 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the “Harlem Hoppening” on April 8 at Harlem Elementary School; the Easter Egg Scramble, also on April 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Patriots Park, 5445 Columbia Road.
For a full list of upcoming Easter Egg Hunts and spring events, visit https://csrakids.com/ultimate-easter-egg-hunt-guide.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
