A Reminder Of Easter Egg Hunt Etiquette

You've undoubtedly heard about the helicopter parents who ruined Easter for Old Colorado City kids — after competitive parents jumped the roped-off boundary to see their kids get a precious egg last year, this year's celebration has been cancelled. Writes the Associated Press, "The hunt was over in seconds, to the consternation of eggless tots and the rules-abiding parents."

No one likes a spoiled Easter egg hunt, and egg hunts bring out everyone's competitve side. So while we won't get into the ethics of helicopter parenting or the decorum of their actions, we can give advice on how to throw an Easter egg hunt that is safe for everyone to enjoy:

• Consider the participant's ages: While little kids will have an easier time finding eggs laid out in grass (like the Colorado one), bigger kids will inevitably get bored. Some unique twists on the classic Easter egg hunt could spice things up: try a scavenger hunt or an alphabet egg hunt. Mix up what you put inside the egg, too: it's not just about the candy.

• Take out the competition: We know an egg hunt invites a couple of skirmishes, between kids grabbing for eggs and not wanting to share. OV Parent recommends talking to your kids beforehand about your expectations: no tackling, no yelling, and always share. Step in only if there's a real need to be reminded about sharing. Another idea to take out the competition: make a batch of eggs with an equal number of colors, and assign each child a "color," saying they have to go find their specific color of eggs. When everyone has the same amount of eggs, everyone wins.

• Plan an Adult-Friendly Event: Grown-ups, take note: the Easter egg hunt only needs minimal adult supervision. Instead of worrying whether your kid will get the most eggs, plan an adult-friendly Easter brunch instead. Or, maybe grab an egg cocktail (to take the edge off of losing, obviously).