Grab & Go Kids Planner: Easter Fun

To kids and kids at heart a big part of Easter fun is the hunt: Scrambling through parks on the hunt for vividly colored eggs, nibbling on chocolate bunnies and sampling jelly beans, and of course, pictures with the Easter Bunny or petting a live fuzzy-floppy eared rabbit.

Plenty of Easter festivities are happening in the next few days, and Patch has some choice picks to fill your baskets. Read on and hop to it:

Where/When: Shepherd's Gate Church; Saturday, April 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Why Go: Shepherd's Gate is organizing a family fun day, chock-full of games, crafts, snacks, a rock-climbing wall, bunnies and chicks, and more. Plus, you'll have a chance to learn more about the story of Easter in a family-friendly setting.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: Grant Park; Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.
Why Go: The City of Utica is holding its annual Easter Egg hunt. Children from age 1 to sixth-grade are invited to join the search for goodies.
Pricing: Free.

Where/When: Shelby Township Community Center; Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m.
Why Go: The Township is holding its annual Easter fun roundup, beginning with the Easter Bunny Lunch. Families will enjoy a pizza and salad luncheon, and the Easter Bunny will be making a guest appearance. (Don't forget your cameras!) Plus, magician Tom Plunkard will entertain the kids, quite likely with a live bunny up his sleeve (or more likely, in his hat).
Pricing: Cost is $7 per person. Please register ahead of time by calling the "Bunny Hotline" at 586-731-0300.

Where/When: River Bends Park; Saturday, April 16, 1 p.m.
Why Go: This is part two of Shelby Township's Easter fun. After the 11 a.m. luncheon winds down, everyone will head to River Bends Park and go hunting for eggs. The Easter Egg hunt is broken down into age groups: Ages 3-5 search at 1 p.m., and ages 6-10 scour the park at 2 p.m.
Pricing: Free. Call the "Bunny Hotline," 586-731-0300, for details.

Where/When: Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center; Sunday, April 17, 1-4 p.m.
Why Go: The Nature Center has an afternoon brimming with exciting Easter fun, including egg decorating, an Easter egg hunt, crafts, legends of and photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, and a chance to meet a live bunny.
Pricing: $4 per child. Pre-registration is recommended.

Where/When: Stony Creek Metropark; Saturday, April 23, 1-2:30 p.m.
Why Go: Stony Creek is holding a "Naturally, It's Easter (Egg Hunt)" event planned at the Nature Center. Kids will enjoy an Egg Scramble, meet the Easter Bunny and make a craft.
Pricing: $4 per child. Preregistration required.