Best Easter Events For The Family in Detroit
Easter signifies rebirth, renewal and the coming of spring – which, in Detroit, is always a welcome event. In 2012, Easter Sunday is April 8 2012, but local Easter celebrations start the weekend prior. This allows families to participate in non-secular Easter festivities as well as any Easter church services they may wish to attend. The Easter Bunny will be hopping along the bunny trail to several Metro Detroit communities this spring.
Bunny Brunch
Civic Park Senior Center
15218 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48154
www.ci.livonia.mi
Price: $5 per person.
Hours: Saturday, March 31 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join the Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers and Livonia Parks and Recreation for the annual Easter Bunny Brunch. The whole family will enjoy the crafts and games offered, while kids will be thrilled to meet the Easter Bunny. Admission includes lunch of pizza, chips and a soft drink.
Related: Best Easter Brunch in Metro Detroit
Easter Eggstravaganza
Heritage Park
1010 South Canton Center Road
Canton, MI 48188
(734) 394-5460
leisure.canton-mi.org
Price: $2 per child 11 and under
Hours: Saturday, March 31 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Canton's Easter Eggstravaganza includes Easter and spring-themed activities, Easter Bunny sightings and, of course, Easter Egg Hunts. To ensure every child has a chance to find some eggs, the Egg Hunts will run continuously during the event hours. The festivities take place near the Playscape and Splash Pad in Canton's Heritage Park. Canton Leisure Services, who organize the event, have suggested allowing extra time for parking at this popular annual outing.
Great Marshmallow Drop
Elizabeth Park
200 Gross Ile Parkway
Trenton, MI 48183
(734) 675-8051
www.trentonmi.org
Price: Free
Hours: Friday, April 6 – 9 a.m.
Wayne County Parks' annual Marshmallow Drop has become a favorite tradition for Metro Detroit families. At 9 a.m. sharp, a helicopter will drop 20,000 marshmallows over Elizabeth Park. Once the marshmallows have landed, kids can redeem them for a special prize. Photographers and scrapbookers will appreciate the photo opportunity provided by the brief blizzard of marshmallows and the enthusiastic children waiting to grab them.
Related: Best Party Places For Kids In Detroit
Bunnyville
Detroit Zoo
8450 West 10 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 541-5717
www.detroitzoo.org
Price: $6 for nonmembers with canned food donation/free for members
Hours: Saturday, April 7 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Detroit Zoo is always a fun place to visit, and Bunnyville is no exception. The annual spring celebration includes attractions such as the Jelly Bean Jamboree, the Funny Bunny Games Tent and a performance of "The Bunny Follies" by Off Broadway Productions. Bunnyville also features treats, crafts, costumed characters and, of course, photo stations with the Easter Bunny. Members get in free but are encouraged to bring a canned food donation. In 2011, the Bunnyville event collected more than 9,000 pounds of food for Gleaners Community Food Bank.
Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Contest
Civic Center Park
1827 North Squirrel Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
(248) 370-9353
www.auburnhills.org
Price: $2 per child
Hours: Saturday, April 7, 2012 - Egg Hunt 12 p.m., Bonnet Contest 12:15 p.m., Adult Egg Toss 1 p.m.
Head to Auburn Hills for family fun at their 21st Annual Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Contest. Kids can hunt throughout the park for hidden treats; hunts are divided by age to keep things fair. The Bonnet Contest includes kids' categories such as Most Creative, Most Patriotic, Prettiest and Most Auburn Hills Spirit, while the adult contest is Easter Bunny's Favorite. Adults can also enjoy an Egg Toss after the kids' hunt is completed. The Easter Bunny will be on site for photos in the Community Center; photos are an additional $5 each.
Jennifer Walker is a freelance writer living in Detroit. She earned her Bachelor's degree in animal science from Michigan State University. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
