North Shore 2019 Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny Guide

Despite recent weather, Spring has technically arrived and the Easter holiday is right around the corner. The holiday comes later than usual this year, with Easter Sunday falling on April 21. That means it's time to plan for hunting for colorful eggs, visits from the Easter Bunny and Eastern brunch.

There are a multitude of Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny appearances and other events planned this year for kids and families across the North Shore. For those taking part in egg hunts, most require participants to bring their own baskets for egg collection. Find a collection of some upcoming events ahead of the holiday, or add more in the replies below.

Saturday April 13

Family Easter Egg Hunt in Deerfield
When: Doors open at 8:15 a.m., hunt begins at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Rolfing Library, 2065 Half Day Road, Deerfield
What: The annual family Easter egg hunt is open to all children from pre-kindegarten to fifth grade.

Breakfast with the Bunny and Eggstravaganza in Glenview
When: Breakfast 8:45 to 9:45 a.m., free egg hunt 10 a.m.
Where: Glenview Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave., Glenview
What: A buffet breakfast and photo opportunities with Easter Bunny. Advance registration required. Ages 2-11, fee is $13 per resident, $16 per nonresident. Ages 12 and older, fee is $22 per resident, $27 per nonresident." No registration or fee is required for the egg hunt following the breakfast.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny in Northbrook
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Granite City Food & Brewery, 992 Willow Road, Northbrook
What: A special brunch menu including a fruit bar and donut creation station will be available. The Easter Bunny will be on hand and guests were encouraged to come in pajamas.

Egg Hunt in Lake Bluff
When: 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Lake Bluff Recreation Center, 355 W. Washington Avenue
What: Make sure to bring your own basket to this quest for golden eggs and prizes, open to kids aged 8 and under.

Breakfast with the Bunny and Eggstravaganza in Skokie
When: Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., egg hunt 11 a.m.
Where: Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St., Skokie
What: The Skokie Park District hosts its annual Easter festivities starting with a breakfast at the Oakton Center. Registration is required. The free egg hunt starts promptly regardless of weather and the eggs are gone within seconds.

Easter Egg Hunt and Magic Show in Lake Forest
When: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest
What: The annual Easter egg hunt is open to children under 10. Festivities will include games, photos with the Easter Bunny and a special musical performance for children. The event is free but registration is available.

Breakfast with the Bunny in Highland Park
When: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Where: Highland Park Country Club, 1201 Park Ave. West, Highland Park
What: A meet and greet with the Easter Bunny will be paired with a full hot breakfast buffet and beverages. Registration is required for all those aged 18 months and up.

First Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Glen Town Center
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Navy Park at The Glen Town Center, 1951 Tower Drive, Glenview
What: There will be more than 2,000 eggs filled with candy for kids from ages 2 to 8, as well as photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny. The free event has limited space, no pre-registration and a 10-egg limit per basket.

Northbrook Court Egg Hunt
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Northbrook Court, 2228 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
What: An all-day event at Hanna Andersson on the mall's second floor will include an egg hunt with prizes, a raffle, coloring activities and free hair braiding from Aveda from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Spring Egg Scramble in Wheeling
When: 10:45 to 11:15 a.m.
Where: Wheeling High School Football Field
What: A free event aimed at children aged 2 to 6 years old will include a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny and an egg hunt starting at 11 a.m.

Doggie Egg Hunt
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Morton Grove Park District, 6834 Dempster Street, Morton Grove
What: Donations will be accepted for the local animal shelter at this free event. All dogs are welcome to come search for treats hidden in colorful eggs.

Hide and Peep in Lincolnwood
When: 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Ave., Lincolnwood
What: A classic egg hunt will begin at 1 p.m., divided into areas for kids 5 and under and those 6 and above. The free event will also feature a balloon artist, face painting, a live DJ and more.

Easter Bunny Lunch in Northbrook
When: 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Goldfish Swim School, 3101 Dundee Road, Northbrook
What: An annual egg hunt in a swimming pool will also include a visit from the Easter Bunny, snacks, crafts and prizes. Registration is required and the event is $5 for members and non-members may pay at the door.

Easter Egg Hunt
When: 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Out Lady of the Brook, 3700 Dundee Road, Northbrook
What: A free egg hunt organized by the women's council of the Catholic Community of Northbrook is open to all children aged 10 and under. It will also include photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny and face painting.

Friday, April 19

Eggstavaganza
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Prairie View Park, 6834 Dempster Street, Morton Grove
What: The Easter Bunny will be on hand for an egg hunt open only to Morton Grove residents, who will be divided into three age groups for simultaneous hunts.

Saturday, April 20

Glenview Easter Egg Hunts
When: 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Glenview New Church School, 74 Park Drive, Glenview
What: An egg hunt with empty eggs will take place for children 4 and under at 9 a.m., followed by a traditional hunt with more than 8,000 eggs hidden around 15 acres of the school's campus, which is open to children 14 and under. Tickets are $10 for the general public. They include snack and juice boxes, a bag and raffle ticket.

Highland Park Egg Hunt
When: 9:45 to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Sunset Woods Park, 1801 Sunset Road, Highland Park
What: A free family event organized by the Park District of Highland Park includes a visit from the Easter Bunny before a 10 a.m. egg hunt. There will be a pair of grand prize tickets in eggs left for each age group: 9 and up, 7–8, 4–6 and under 3.

Habitat Park Egg Hunt in Glenview
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Kohl's Children Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview
What: Youngsters can collect up to six eggs filled with candy and one prize egg, weather permitting. Prizes include gift cards, candy and one-year museum memberships. Tickets are $6 for non-members and $5 for non-members. Regular museum admission is also required.

46th Annual Egg Hunt in Winnetka
When: 10 to 11 a.m.
Where: The Skokie School Gym, 520 Glendale Avenue, Winnetka
What: The Winnetka Park District's annual egg hunt will feature photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, inflatable, an interactive DJ, a balloonist and a live petting zoo. Empty eggs will be available for children under three. No registration is required for this event aimed at children under 8.

Doggy Egg Hunt in Winnetka
When: 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.
Where: West Elm Park, 1155 Elm Street, Winnetka
What: Immediately following the egg hunt, the Winnetka Park District is holding a canine-focused egg hunt and obstacle course. Dogs must be leashed at all times and pre-registration by April 18 is required to be guaranteed a goody bag for dogs. Fees are $15 for non-residents, $10 for residents and $5 for those already holding dog beach passes.

Northbrook Easter Egg Hunt
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Village Presbyterian Church, 1300 Shermer Road, Northbrook
What: Children 10 and under are invited to take part in an Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Village Kids Children's Ministry. The egg hunt for kids under 4 will be in Fellowship Hall, while those aged 5 to 10 will be in the church's sanctuary. Following the hunt, which starts promptly at 10 a.m., visit Westminster Hall for crafts, food and special treats.

Wilmette Park District Children's Egg Hunt
When: 10 a.m.
Where: WPD Community Playfield, 702 Locust Road, Wilmette
What: The Easter Bunny will be on hand in this preregistration-only event. Participants should bring their own baskets to find prize tickets and candy. The event is $7 for residents and $9 for non-residents.

Family Easter Egg Hunt in Lake Forest
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Christ Church Lake Forest, 100 Waukegan Road, Lake Forest
What: There will be hundreds of eggs and an opportunity to decorate an Easter cookie at this free, family event, which will also include a designated area for children that require a calmer environment.

While not technically a federal holiday, Americans love themselves some Easter. In fact, 84 percent of Americans planned to celebrate the holiday last year, according to Statista. The figures were based on a survey of more than 1,000 Americans between 18 and 64 years old.

The National Retail Federation puts that number at closer to 80 percent and says those people will drop on average $151 per person on goods such as clothing, candy, cards and flowers.

The most popular Easter traditions, according to Statista, include giving out candy-stuffed baskets (60 percent), hunting for eggs (57 percent), painting eggs (55 percent) and going to church (51 percent).

Less popular activities included going to an Easter party — yes, that's apparently a thing — attending a parade, egg rolling, and eating hot cross buns, which are just buns marked with a cross that contain dried fruit. They're traditionally eaten during Lent.

The Statista survey also showed how diverse Americans really are. As you probably know, Easter is traditionally a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, people started painting and decorating Easter eggs during the 13th century.

"The church prohibited the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but chickens continued to lay eggs during that week, and the notion of specially identifying those as 'Holy Week' eggs brought about their decoration," the encyclopedia page states. "The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection."