Six different egg hunts offer a variety of activities for children. (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

My children are no longer toddlers, but they still get excited for a family egg hunt. There is something so exciting for the chance to find treasure, whether it is buried in the ground or hiding in a tree. Though most egg hunts are for the very small, there are opportunities for everyone to participate in some fashion. Good luck with the search.

The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge is hosting a family-friendly Easter Extravaganza event on April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their Wilmington headquarters. Not only will be Easter Bunny make an appearance, but there will be a few of their other wildlife ambassadors. There will be an egg hunt, refreshments, animated movies, face painting, and a coloring corner. There are plenty of free walking trails and views of the wolf enclosures. The event is free, but a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children will go toward the Refuge’s mission.

On April 14, the Keene Fire Department and Auxiliary is hosting its annual Palm Sunday brunch from 11 am – 1 pm for $9/adults, $8 for seniors, $7 for children (under 7) and free for children (under 3) with a full menu of pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, baked goods, beverages, and local maple syrup. The noon egg hunt is for children under the age of 12. That same day the Wilmington Youth Center is providing an egg hunt for local children from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Park Lane location. Candy-filled treats will be available. For anyone wishing to donate, contribute or help, please contact the center directly.

The next weekend presents more opportunities to find treats, prizes, and golden eggs. North Country Community College has 3,000 candy-filled eggs so everyone is bound to find something. The April 20, Saturday event takes place at the NCCC soccer field at 9 a.m. sharp. There is a separate blocked off area for young ones (under 4). The event is free. The rain location is the nearby NCCC Alumni Athletic Facility gym.

On the same day, April 20, the Bloomingdale Egg and Scavenger Hunt takes place at the Roosevelt Ball Field at 10 a.m. This event is candy-free with stickers and tokens in over 800 eggs. Children can keep what they find and if they return their eggs, can choose a prize from the gift table. There are other activities for older children such as a small change scramble, puzzle scavenger hunt and find the golden egg. The volunteer event takes place outside rain or shine, but prizes and raffles are held in the community warming hunt.

Since Easter falls so late in the calendar year, Whiteface may be closed for the season so please check their website (Whiteface.com) to find out if the ski season has been extended.

If Whiteface is open then anyone can enjoy a free Easter Sunday gondola ride starting at 7:15 am for an 8 am Easter morning service at the top of Little Whiteface. If Whiteface remains open, the mountaintop service and egg hunt will be a go.

All children are welcome to search and find over 4,000 eggs covering the Mixing Bowl and Bear Trails. Younger children (ages 6 and under) meet on Mixing Bowl at 11 a.m. while slightly older children (ages 7-12) meet on the Bear Trail. Both Mixing Bowl and Bear Trail can be either skied or accessed on foot. After that, egg hunting is open to all ages on the Boreen trail.

All these events are so different and provide great entertainment for children. The one thing that can’t be helped is the weather. We’ve experienced everything from mud to ice during various egg hunts we’ve attended. We just took as part of the challenge.

Enjoy egg hunting!

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.