Instead of candy or toys, stick puzzle pieces in the Easter eggs. Once all of the eggs are found, gather the family inside and have them contribute to the puzzle.
Puzzle Ideas
Choose any kind of puzzle you'd like, so long as the pieces fit inside the eggs. You can be traditional and choose an Easter theme puzzle, like a picture of Jesus, or a favorite scene from the bible. Another option is to pick a beautiful spring flower scene or a puzzle that depicts your family's favorite vacation spot, or place you would all like to go. You can also make your own puzzle from a family portrait.
Be creative and educational. One can also use this time to teach geography. Buy a puzzle of the physical Earth, or of a globe with the different countries. You can also get a country puzzle and piece together the country's different states or regions. Find a puzzle with a picture of a country you would like to visit or would want the family to know more about.
If your family is into art, choose a puzzle of Monet, Van Gogh, or your favorite artist's art. Once the puzzle is together, make some key talking points about big picture and let the information sink in. The talking points don't need to be elaborate. Ask about the colors in the picture, the actions within it, or what each family member likes about the picture. The goal is to bring the family together for longer than just the hunt.
Another option, if you really want family time, is to mix two puzzles together. Try not to mix more than two, however, because that will just add to unnecessary frustration and will kill the fun. You can also hide the puzzle box so that the end result will be a complete surprise.
Golden Egg Prize
If you are using two puzzles, assign a team leader of a puzzle and see whose team puts their puzzle together the fastest. The winner can get a golden egg with special treat. The golden egg can have money in it, movie tickets, or even a gift certificate. This should be a good prize so that the memory of the event will linger. If it becomes really popular, you can make a tradition of it.
If you are just planning on using one puzzle, then have a golden egg for everyone. By using a puzzle you'll save money on buying candy and toys, and can use the money for the items inside the golden eggs. To be even more frugal, buy the puzzles from a thrift shop.
Although Easter is a time to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the Easter Egg hunt can be as religious or as non-religious as the family desires. The goal is to have fun and, spend quality time, and even be educational at the same time.
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