By Jenn Reid
It’s a late Easter this year (April 16) and hopefully that means we’ll have some nice, sunny spring weather for Easter egg hunts! The Easter Bunny is visiting all kinds of places in Toronto and the GTA to hide Easter surprises for kids (and dogs!) of all ages. Check out these Easter egg hunts in Toronto and the GTA. [Photo credit: iStock]
The biggest Easter egg hunt in Toronto happens every year on Centre Island! Eggs are hidden across the Centreville Amusement Park and Far Enough Farm grounds, and kids can collect them to win prizes from sponsors like Lindt chocolate. There’s also face painting available for the kids, and select Centreville rides are open (the theme park’s season hasn’t officially opened yet). The event happens all Easter long weekend (April 14 to 16) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person, and if you purchase online the ferry ride to the island is free.
The High Park Easter egg hunt is a favourite for families every year! Colborne Lodge, located in High Park, is the centre of all the action with egg hunts starting every half hour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There are also family-friendly activities like egg decorating, face painting and Easter-themed crafts. Kids must be registered for the egg hunts and take part at the scheduled time -parents stay in the cheering section. It’s $3 per hunt. Note: this one takes place Sunday, April 9, the weekend before Easter.
Springridge Farm is going all out for Easter weekend. The annual Easter festival has the requisite egg hunt with the Easter bunny, but that’s just the beginning of the fun. There’s also a Peter Rabbit puppet show, face painting and crafts, plus pony rides, wagon rides, a farm and barn to explore. Kids can visit the animals, jump into bales of straw, play in a giant sandbox and more. There’s also a BBQ and freshly baked goods to eat, or pick something up to take home for later. The festival is $12 per person (pony rides $4 extra), and runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 14 to 16.
Brooks Farm’s Easter events run over two weekends: April 8 and 9, as well as Easter weekend April 14 to 16. The Easter egg hunt lasts all day long, and kids can decorate and take home their own Easter baskets. During the hunt, kids collect plastic eggs and trade them in for a goodie bag full of Easter treats. There’s also a scavenger hunt taking place across the farm, where kids have to follow a map, and a trail of clues to win an Easter treat. There are also wagon rides, crafts and an outdoor play area (weather permitting). The event takes place between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and tickets are $9 for adults and $14 for kids.
Both of Kidnetix’s locations (Yorkdale and Brampton) host an egg hunt on Easter weekend. Kids can hunt for Easter eggs and meet the Easter bunny, plus get face painting, visit a petting zoo and enjoy the indoor playgrounds. There are four hunts to choose from: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the hunts must be purchased in advance and are $20.
Richmond Hill’s Explore Center celebrates the entire Easter long weekend, with events happening April 14 to 17. Kids can enjoy an Easter egg hunt, plus crafts, colouring books and an indoor playground. Hunts happen in two hour intervals, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12:15 p.m. to 2:15 pm., 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 for kids under two and $12.50 for kids two and up.
Adventure Valley’s public Easter event has an Easter egg hunt for kids, plus activities like potato sack races and crafts. Kids can get their picture taken with the Easter bunny or see magicians and clowns. There are Easter treats to enjoy, including marshmallows from the campfire. Parents can also enjoy free coffee all day. The Spring Fling takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 15, and is $10 for kids and $5 for adults.
It’s the fourth annual Easter egg hunt at Corktown Commons, and it’s free! There’s an egg hunt for kids of all ages, but bring your own basket. There’s also chocolate treats and drinks like coffee and cider for the grown-ups. The event takes place on Sunday, April 16 at 10:15 a.m. and happens rain or shine.
Dogs are plentiful in Leslieville, so it’s no surprise they get their own Easter egg hunt. Grab your pup and head out around the neighbourhood to collect Easter treats from participating businesses like Tom & Sawyer or Left Field Brewery. Easter bunny costumes are optional, but dressed up dogs can enter the Instagram contest for a chance to win. The event happens Saturday, April 8 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Side Door Youth Drop-In at St. Clair E. is having an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 15. There are two time slots for the free egg hunt, one at 10 a.m. and one at 11 a.m. Kids can pre-register online for a spot at the hunt. There’s also a special section for toddlers to enjoy as well. The event is free, but they are also collecting non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army.
