The Easter egg hunt is one of the most beloved Easter rituals for children (and, we confess, also for us adults at ArsWine.it!), a simple game that turns gardens, courtyards, and living rooms into little colorful adventures. Among wicker baskets, laughter, and eggs, this game holds centuries of history, symbols, and traditions.

The Easter egg hunt is, in practice, a fun Easter-themed treasure hunt. Adults hide eggs in various spots around the house or garden, while children – armed with baskets, boxes, or bags – set off to find their sweet loot. The eggs can be chocolate, small or large, plain or decorated, hard-boiled and hand-painted with natural colors or plastic paints, filled with candies, small toys, or surprise notes.

At the end of the game, the found eggs are counted, the nicest ones are exchanged, and often “special categories” are rewarded: who found the most, who discovered the hardest egg, who had the funniest reaction.

Germany and the Osterhase: where the modern game was born

If today we think of the Easter egg hunt as we know it – eggs hidden in the grass and children searching for them – much of the credit goes to the German tradition. Already in Martin Luther’s time, men hid eggs and women and children went looking for them, in a game reminiscent of the search for the empty tomb in the Gospel. Germany is also the birthplace of one of the most beloved figures among children: the Osterhase, the Easter Bunny. In popular imagination, it is he who hides the eggs among bushes, flower pots, at the foot of trees, or even in some corner of the house.

The Easter egg hunt around the world: between tradition and creativity

While the Easter egg hunt is particularly rooted in German-speaking countries, this fun game has been part of Easter celebrations across much of the Western world since the 19th century, also thanks to ties between European royal families. In England, for example, Queen Victoria recounts in her diaries the egg hunts organized by her mother, who was of German origin; and she herself continued the tradition for her children. In the United States, meadows and parks fill with families hosting large community “egg hunts”; even the White House regularly organizes an event where children from across the country participate in the game on the presidential lawn. In Italy, the tradition arrived later, influenced by Anglo-Saxon models, TV series, and travel abroad. Today, however, it is increasingly common to see egg hunts organized by municipalities, museums, castles, farms and agritourism venues, schools, and community centers – including youth clubs and parishes, gardens, and condominium courtyards.

The common thread that ties this fun activity together, wherever it takes place, beyond the Christian symbolism of the egg, is togetherness: sharing, having fun, and being outdoors together. And solidarity: many charity events use participation to support a good cause – in Italy, the initiative “Uova e Colombe AIL” is especially well-known for supporting blood cancer research.

Why kids and adults love it so much

The strength of this game lies in its simplicity. You don’t need much: a few eggs, some imagination, and a spot to hide them are more than enough. Kids love it because it sparks curiosity, movement, and observation skills; it turns everyday spaces into places full of surprises; it offers a small personal reward (the “treasure” found). Adults like it because it’s a chance to share a genuine play moment, pass on Easter traditions and stories, and it’s easily adaptable to all ages, spaces, and family types.

Arswine.it’s tips for organizing a truly special egg hunt

If you want to organize a super fun and engaging egg hunt, here are some ideas:

1. Choose the right place: garden, yard, terrace, or living room: all are fine, just use a bit of imagination – be careful to avoid dangerous spots like steep stairs, unsafe balconies, or furniture near fragile items

2. Decide the type of eggs: chocolate for the sweet tooth, decorated hard-boiled eggs for a traditional and handmade touch, plastic eggs filled with non-food surprises (stickers, small toys, motivational phrases)

3. Set a few clear rules: for example, the maximum number of eggs per child to avoid “hoarding,” restricted areas (e.g., kitchen, study, storage room), any special prizes: “golden” egg, “mystery” egg, “superbonus” egg…

4. Add a storyline: you can tell the story of the Easter bunny who lost its eggs, create a mini treasure map with drawings or rhyming clues, link the hunt to a short storytelling moment about Easter traditions around the world or religious ones

5. Encourage inclusion: eggs with small sounds or bells for those with visual impairments, quieter play areas for younger children, “team” tasks to make sure no one is left out

And the adults? A good glass of prosecco!

While the egg hunt takes place, adults can enjoy some healthy socializing, always keeping an eye on the children. So, there’s nothing better than a glass to enjoy together, lightly accompanying this festive moment. ArsWine.it recommends natural sparkling wines, white or rosé, and a classic champagne for this occasion:

·         Bolle di Magenta - Garganega Sparkling IGT Verona - Nous Vini di Luce

·         Frizzi Pop - White Pét-Nat Wine - Tenuta L'Armonia

·         EASY - Special Sparkling Rosé Wine - Tenuta L'Armonia

·         Champagne Brut Reserve - Leclerc Briant

 

Let's toast to Easter! Best wishes from the entire ArsWine.it team

 

Also read recipes for a traditional Italian Easter lunch and the wines to pair with them

(update March 8, 2026)