How to Repurpose Your
Plastic Eggs After Easter
DIY Memory game
to Fill Easter Eggs
(Without Using Candy)
Egg toss
Glue or tape the eggs shut and set up Easter
baskets or buckets. Have your kids take turns
tossing the eggs, trying to get them into the
baskets. Whoever can get the most eggs to
land in the bucket or basket wins.

Letter and word games
ur family loves an Easter egg hunt, but as the mother of a child with
food allergies, it is always a challenge to find items to fill all those
plastic eggs with that are not candy. Whether, like me, your child has
a food allergy, or you would just like to cut down on sugar overload, here
are some non-candy items to fill all your eggs with for the annual hunt.

For pre-readers, you can work on matching
upper and lowercase letters by writing one of
each on a half of the egg and then having kids
match them up. For older kids, write common
word endings on one half of the egg, such
as “at,” “ot,” “all,” “ag,” etc. and common word
beginnings on the other half of the eggs, such
as “h,” “b,” “c,” etc. Have your kids put the eggs
together to make as many words as possible.

Small toys
Shake it up
Something practical
Become an artist
BY SARAH LYONS
O There are numerous ideas for small toys that you could fill eggs with:
bouncy balls, small craft items, Play-Doh, tiny cars like Micro Machines,
mini kazoos, hand stamps, toy accessories, mini rubber ducks, fake bugs,
pirate patches or just for fun—confetti! When choosing small toys to fill
your eggs, please remember that small toys may pose a choking hazard for
young children.

Practical items can be fun, too. Try filling eggs with erasers, pencil sharpen-
ers, key chains, magic towels, cute Band-Aids or travel-size lotion or hand
sanitizer. My kids’ favorite practical Easter egg filler is money!
Something to wear
Your kids can have fun and accessorize with these ideas: barrettes, hair ties,
socks, nail polish, ChapStick, lip gloss, silly shoe laces, bracelets, earrings,
rings, temporary tattoos, zipper pulls or bead necklaces.

Snacks If you are avoiding candy because of the sugar rush, try these little snacks
that are the perfect size for Easter eggs: Goldfish crackers, pretzels, grapes,
soup crackers, Cuties (mandarins), veggie straws, berries, animal crackers,
bite-size graham crackers, nuts, raisins or other dried fruit. 1
10 Washington FAMILY
APRIL 2023
Use the plastic eggs to make homemade
instruments. Fill them with dried beans, rice or
popcorn seeds and glue the eggs shut. Have
your kids shake the eggs along to music. To
make a maraca, glue plastic spoons, one on
each side, for a handle.

Put a small amount of paint on a paper for your
child and allow them to roll the egg through the
paint. They can also open the egg and use it as
a stamp. Change the colors for variety.

Sensory bin
Fill a large plastic bin or water table with beans,
rice or water and add some plastic Easter eggs
and small containers. Some of the eggs may
have holes, so kids will enjoy watching the
water slowly pour out from the bottom. They
love to use the eggs as scoops to fill up larger
containers with rice and beans.

TOXITZ/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
SPXCHROME/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
40+ Ways
Open the plastic egg and set each half on the
table. Hide small items like paper clips, coins or
erasers under each egg. (You will need two of
each item.) Play memory and have your child
pick two eggs to lift. They can collect them if
they match.




FAMILY FUN
Family Activities
BY HEATHER M. ROSS
to Put a ‘Spring’ in Your Step
DOGGIE BONDING TIME
ORCHID EXHIBIT
Bring every family member—yes even the furry
ones—out to enjoy the spring weather and
stretch their legs. Visiting a dog park or making
stops at dog-friendly dining spots are great ways
to make sure the whole family feels included.

This year, join for the second annual ALX dog
walk. The first drew more than 450 dogs and 700
people. The experience features goodie bags for
each person, each with a T-shirt, dog bandana,
sustainable treats and coupons! Visit the photo
booth together and be sure to check out the
Puppy PlayZone for kids! Register for $35 at alx
alx- dogwalk.com.

Take your family to meet one of the largest plant
families in the world – orchids. Throughout
April, the 27th annual joint exhibit between the
U.S. Botanic Garden and Smithsonian Gardens
will be on display at the U.S. Botanic Garden’s
conservatory. Children and adults alike can
learn about the diversity and conservation of
these beautiful plants with the garden’s many
orchid-themed educational opportunities. Learn
more or plan your visit at USBG.gov.

NATIONALS PARK/NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PHOTOS PROVIDED; BOTTOM BY JALEEL DAVIS
GRAPHIC PATTERN: NATOUCHE; CHERRYBLOSSOMS: KSENA32/ADOBESTOCK; DOG: ERIC ISSELÉE/ADOBESTOCK
April 29 | Oronco Bay Park, 100 Madison St.,
Alexandria, VA 22314
A s birds and other
wildlife make their
return this spring,
it’s time for you and
your family to get
out of the den, too. Warmer
weather, longer days and
bristling naturescapes are
all in the cards as you set
out to make memories. Here
are five unique adventures
for your family to enjoy this
spring. EASTER EGGS AND ANIMALS
April 1-2, 6-9 | 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijams-
ville, MD 21754
Visit a petting zoo and partake in delightful
spring programming like the Easter egg hunts at
Green Meadows Farm. These Easter egg hunts
are included with the $16 admission to the farm.

Admission also includes a hayride, goat feed, pig
races and more outdoor animal fun! Everyone
can get excited for the chance to see the Green
Meadows Farm Easter Bunny, Whiskers, and
hunt cleverly hidden candy-filled eggs. Kids can
bring their own basket to collect eggs or buy one
for $5 on site. For more information, visit green
green- meadowsevents.com.

April 1-30 | 100 Maryland Ave. SW Washington,
D.C. 20001
NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
April 1-16 | Washington D.C. and surrounding
communities Celebrate the beauty of spring and the endur-
ing friendship between the U.S. and Japan at the
National Cherry Blossom Festival. The annual
festival returns with its signature family-friendly
programming, food, music, performances, fire-
works and famous pink blossoms. If you can’t make
every event, be sure to hold a spot for the April 15
parade from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information
and a detailed guide to all the can’t-miss festivities,
visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

BASEBALL SEASON AT NATIONALS PARK
April – October | 1500 S. Capitol St. S.E., Washing-
ton, D.C. 20003
Catch a game and grab your gear. The 2023
Major League Baseball season is up to bat, hav-
ing opened for the season March 30. Nationals
Park has been home to our very own Washing
Washing- ton Nationals since its construction in 2008
and remains a bastion of the iconic American
pastime. Even if baseball isn’t your sport, the
concessions and atmosphere are worth the trip.

mlb.com/nationals/ballpark. ■
Plan your visit at mlb.com/nationals/b
WashingtonFAMILY.com FAMIL
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