TO MY FAMILY
My dear little bunnies, at some point in your life, you will likely be hosting an Easter celebration for our great-grandchildren or great-great, and you may want to include some of these activities from your childhood celebrations. Even if you’d rather make up your own activities, it’s still fun to reminisce. Here’s a list of the games that punctuated the parties we had over the years, along with some descriptions to refresh your memories of these happy times. - Granny Bunny
EASTER COLORING CONTEST
One of the delightful things about living with an artist is the never-ending creative entertainment. For each holiday party, Paw creates the start of a drawing inspired by a story line invented by Granny. For example, one that sticks out in my mind was his drawing of a tomb with a giant stone rolled back from the entrance. The story line was “Before Mary Magdelene and her friends got to the tomb, Jesus had already left and this is what they found.”
Then as our guests arrive, each are given a clipboard with the partial drawing, and a set of washable markers with their name printed on them to head off arguments over whose hogging the pink. Everyone draws their most creative response to the story line. Then, all completed drawings are taped in a row on the big curtain rod over the bay window in our living room. They are on display until after dinner.
By judging the contest after dinner, we give time for people’s tummies to settle before embarking on the Egg Hunt (more on that later). Each person is called up from youngest to oldest to stand in front of the audience and give a little artist’s talk about their work. We always start with the youngest, that’s Lilly. She always talks the longest and is enthusiastic beyond words so she inspires everyone to give their best performance.
The judging is always done by Granny, and, although Paw always does an entry, she deems him ineligible. Everyone gets a prize and they vary from year to year and by the award itself. It might be a box of crayons, a chocolate bunny, a box of Peeps, or money, etc. There are winners of “Most Creative” and “Most Cosmological” and “Most Jelly Bean” and “Most Glitter” — whatever Granny makes up on the labels before the party. The Grand Prize is always spectacular and coveted by all. The favorite prize used to be one of those gigantic art kits with all the different art supplies, but for the past few years, everyone is pretty well saturated in this area. Granny has to be more imaginative from now on.
BABY CHICK JUGGLING
DON’T YA JUST WANNA JUGGLE THIS CUTE LITTLE CRITTER?
Eons ago, I found little stuffed animal Easter chicks for a buck a piece, so I bought a bunch of them to use as basket stuffers. As I was unpacking my shopping bags, my husband grabbed the chicks and started juggling them. A party game was born! There’s a few things I really love about this game. First, my husband is an awesome juggler and every year it’s fun to watch the progeny take their turns trying to beat him. Second, it’s a great way to get people outside after dinner and the coloring contest. It’s especially a great warm-up game to get people laughing and in the mood for fun. There’s lots of cheering for the perennial champion and his challengers. And, finally, I love being able to tell people we have a Baby Chick Juggling contest and watch their reaction. I also try to make some sort of medals on a string for the winner and runners-up if my schedule allows. Please be assured, no animals were harmed in the writing of this paragraph.
BUNNY HOP DANCE CONTEST
The most important thing to remember about the Bunny Hop is to do this early enough that people are still sober and able to dance without falling on your coffee table and crushing one of the kid’s easter basket. The second most important thing to remember about the Bunny Hop is to carefully avoid the likelihood of your guests vomiting. You do this by scheduling the hopping for when people’s food has had time to digest. I speak from experience.
So much of family time is adults watching kids play. Whenever I can get the adults to join in, I feel like it’s a victory. It’s always so much fun when parents play too.
We pass out Bunny Ear headbands to everyone so they release their inner bunny. We dance. When we’re done, we keep people on the dance floor for the Bunny Extermination Dance. Keith is the judge, tapping one after the other on the shoulder to indicate they have been eliminated. Invariably, the kids all make it to the finals, but there’s always a spectacular dancing adult or two that manage to hang on. When we’re down to the Best Bunny Dancer, they get a fabulous prize and are envied by all.
NOT TOO SOON FOR THE FOOD. NOT TOO LATE FOR THE LIQUOR.
I’M A CHUBBY BUNNY
SOME THINK THIS GAME WAS INSPIRED BY THIS SNOPPY CARTOON.
Bunnies gather in a circle. One by one, they tuck one Peep or marshmallow in their cheek and say the phrase “I’m a Chubby Bunny.” This continues round after round as players are disqualified for failure to stuff another marshmallow in their kisser, or until their utterance is unintelligible. When you’re down to two players, they take their turn simultaneously until a tie or the winner is declared. This is hilarious to play and watch. (Caution: Even though there’s only been two deaths on record since 1959 when this cartoon of Snoopy inspired the game, I personally think it’s important to have someone present who knows how to do an emergency tracheotomy or it could put a damper on the party).
VISIT FROM THE EASTER BUNNY
HERE I AM PREPARING TO PLAY THE EASTER BUNNY.
One year after Halloween, fortune smiled on me. I was able to snag a giant bunny full head mask on clearance at Walmart. Sometime later, I procured a pink fleece onesie to complete the ensemble. Coincidentally, that year was the first time the Easter Bunny was able to make it to our party. We look for a volunteer among the older grandchildren to play the role to the delight of their younger siblings and cousins who always figure it out. If there are no takers, the least sober adult can usually be recruited. The little kids lure the bunny to our home by placing carrots in our Fairy Garden. I try to buy the ones with the leafy greens still attached. When the Bunny arrives to collect, he passes out presents, gives bunny hugs, and then moves on to the next family with carrots. I am hoping at least one of my grandchildren might parlay this acting experience into a career as a sports mascot.
EASTER BASKET SCAMPER
For this classic event, I make up wonderful baskets for the kids filled with jelly beans, assorted candies, little toys, and colored eggs. Duh. Then I hide them in the garage. When it’s time for the scamper, their mom’s find great hiding spots in the yard. Kids all don their bunny ears, line up for the countdown, and run around the house until they find their treasure. If time and budget allow, I will make baskets for the adults with some sort of libation, perfume, or other gift along with some candy so they don’t raid their kids’ baskets.
EASTER BONNET DECORATING CONTEST
ROLAND: INVENTOR OF THE EASIEST EVER EASTER BONNET
This is definitely a favorite game. I have four giant gift bags with an Easter-ish motif. I fill them with millinary supplies. There is a big floppy hat, pastel ribbons and rick-rack, pipe cleaners, white electrician’s tape, colored eggs, easter trinkets, staplers, feathers, beads, easter grass, and whatever else I can find.
Party guests are divided into four teams. Each team picks a model. It is important to pick someone who will be very theatrical in the runway walk and Easter Parade which follow this game segment. Armed with all these provisions, the team fashions a fabulous hat on their model’s head. They can ask for additional supplies as needed.
Each year, the creations are more exotic, the models are more adult male and swishy, and the laughter is more raucous. But the best part is yet to come!
THE EASTER PARADE
Now, for the crazy part where the chosen models are required to walk the runway with flourish and style to model their Easter Bonnet creations, often wearing additional accessories their team fashioned, like boas, capes, or assorted jewelry. The models are often the person their team would most like to humiliate - which is Dad, or a new boyfriend or girlfriend for hazing purposes.
We play the song “In Your Easter Bonnet” from the classic film “Easter Parade” starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. Some of the more enthusiastic among us sing along (okay, okay, sometimes it’s just me).
By applause, cheering, and wolf whistles, the winner is crowned and given his or her trophy or prize. Then the kids abscond with the hats and make merry.
THE FULL CONTACT EASTER EGG HUNT
The Easter Egg Hunt is the undisputed centerpiece of our Easter celebration games. This is the one thing everyone in the family most anticipates due to its quirky savagery, exorbitant prize money, and seeing Aunt Maggie and Aunt Mollie wrestle on the ground over a plastic egg (happens every year). If you dare, you can read the rules here.
THERE IS ONE PURPLE EGG WHICH IS THE HOLY GRAIL OF THE GAME
EASTER PLAYLISTS
There are four songs that are featured at every one of Granny and Paw’s Easter celebrations.
EASTER PARADE: (aka In Your Easter Bonnet) This song is for the final parade of the four Easter bonnet models.
HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL: We sing it a capella at the start of our Easter Egg Hunt, but you can blast it to your neighbors too.
BUNNY HOP: You need this song for the dancing game along with bunny ears for all. Don’t forget a grand prize.
FOUR SEASONS (Spring) by Antonio Vivaldi. This is one of Granny’s favorites and serves as the dinner bell to signal the buffet line is open. It is joyous and makes her feel like she’s flitting from flower to flower like a butterfly.
ON HOLIDAYS, I COULD ALMOST FORGIVE GOOGLE FOR THE PRIVACY VIOLATIONS
You may want to use the intertubes to find yourself an Easter playlist on Apple Music, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Alexa or similar spyware might also be helpful. Just google. See how easy!
These are just images below. Clicking will not open them. You need to go to the internet and ask for Easter Playlist.
APPLE MUSIC
YOU TUBE MUSIC
SPOTIFY
