Easter egg hunts in the Fox Valley

Stop by Easter egg hunts or meet the Easter Bunny at brunches throughout the Fox Valley. The egg hunts usually start on time, so arrive early. Bring your own basket!

Aurora

• Register for the Fox Valley Park District special egg hunts. For information on registration, visit www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org. Cost is $10 or $15 for nonresidents. Youth, age 9-13, are invited to grab a flashlight and get ready to party from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Blackberry Farm in Aurora. Enjoy hayrides, dancing, games and a flashlight egg hunt with prizes. An "Illuminating Eggstravaganza" will be from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Lippold Outdoor Recreation Center in Aurora. Spring is when animals lay their eggs. Kids, ages 5 and up, can find out the different types of eggs one can find in the spring and then join a nighttime glow-in-the-dark egg hunt. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

• Aurora Advent Christian Church will hold its annual Easter Egg Scramble at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the church, 904 N. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora.

Children through fifth grade are invited. Admission and parking are free.

The event opens with refreshments from 10:30 to 10:55 a.m. in the church gym. After a brief Easter story at 11 a.m., the egg hunt will be held on the church's north lawn. About 3,000 eggs, each with a piece of candy and many with prize tickets, will be scattered for hunting. Children will hunt eggs by age groups, with youngest children going first. After the hunt, children can collect prizes and turn in empty eggs in the gym. Call (630) 896-1963 for information.

Elburn

Celebrate spring and all things Easter at Heritage Prairie Farm's annual Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 31. They will have a variety of children's activities, farm animals, and fun for the whole family.

The egg hunt begins promptly at 11 a.m. There are two eggs hunt sections for age groups: ages 5 and under and age 6 to 11. The sections will be clearly labeled and roped off. Attendants will be on hand to assist with the event.

Children's story reader Roxanna Tangen will host a children's storytime. She will be bringing a variety of children's books for all ages. Some titles include "The Beeman," "The Little Red Hen," and "A Farmer's Life for Me." She will host two readings: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Books will be available for purchase throughout the event. Tangen also will bring kid's crafts and coloring activities to enjoy.

Meet farm animals like Christaphine the donkey, and goats Martha and Betty. There also will be baby chicks on display. Stop by the farm store for raw honey, organic vegetables, and other locally made items. The farm store opens at 9 a.m. For details, call (630) 443-5989 or visit www.heritageprairiefarm.com.

Elgin

• Come to the Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd., for the annual "Natural Egg Dyeing" program from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Participants can use many different natural dyes like onion skins, turmeric, berries and much more. This technique comes from Native American and pioneer days when chemical dyes and food coloring were not available. Use modern techniques such as crayons and rubber bands to create beautiful designs. Explore the museum exhibits while the eggs are dyeing. Recipes of the dyes are provided so you can try natural egg dyeing at home. Supplies are limited. No registration is required. Cost is $2 for two eggs. For details, contact Francesca Zomkowski, education coordinator, at (847) 741-6655 or francesca_epm@cityofelgin.org. Visit www.elginpublicmuseum.org.

• As part of its grand opening festivities, the new Denny's in Elgin will host a special appearance of the Easter Bunny from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Stop by the restaurant at 1120 S Randall Road, Unit 102, to take photos and meet the Easter Bunny. Visit www.dennys.com.

• The Elgin American Legion Post 57, 820 N. Liberty St., will host an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 1. The menu includes eggs made to order, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pastries, fruits, juices, and more. For details, call (847) 741-1684 or visit www.alelginpost57.com.

South Elgin

The village of South Elgin will hold its Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 31, at Kenyon Woods, off Raymond Street. The hunt will begin at noon sharp. Kids will need to bring a basket and parents. Bring your camera for Kodak moments. There will be specific areas set up for specific age groups in an effort to make the event fun for everyone. Support the South Elgin Food Pantry by bringing canned food to this special event. The DJ will kick off the festivities at 11 a.m. They strongly recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes early as we start the hunt on time and it only takes a short time to collect five eggs. Visit www.southelgin.com.

St. Charles

• On Saturday, March 31, the Knights of Columbus Council 12497 will host an Easter egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. in Lincoln Park, off Cedar Street in downtown St. Charles. Families are welcome to attend the 10 a.m. Easter basket blessing at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 400 Cedar St. Bring your own baskets. It will be held rain or shine. Bring a nonperishable food item for the food pantry. Sign up at www.kofc12497.com so the Knights will know how many children will be attending the event.

• On Easter Sunday, April 1, St. Mark's Lutheran Church & Preschool, 101 S. Sixth Ave. in St. Charles, will host an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Worship will be at 7, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Visit www.stmarkschurch.church.

• On Sunday, April 1, enjoy a traditional Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles. It will feature brunch from executive chef Tiffany Tooker including made-to-order omelets, corn flakes-crusted French toast, waffles with strawberries and chantilly cream, pastries, salads, a seafood display, a pasta station, carving stations featuring peppercorn-crusted top sirloin, maple-glazed bone-in ham and leg of lamb, a kids' corner and a bounty of desserts. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids can decorate cookies and do crafts in the Garden Atrium or visit the petting zoo outside the St. Charles Ballroom. At 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., two Easter egg hunts will take place near Gallery Hall. Expect visits from the Easter Bunny, too. Cost is $42.95; $36.95 for seniors 65 and older; $19.95 for kids: 5-12; and free for kids 4 and younger. Reservations are recommended. Call (630) 584-6300 or visit pheasantrun.com/easter.aspx.

• On Sunday, April 1, enjoy Easter brunch from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles. It will feature custom omelet and waffle stations, carving and seafood stations, breakfast and lunch items and assorted desserts. Cost is $55; $27 for kids 4-12; or free for kids 3 and younger. Reservations are required; call (630) 584-2100 or visit hotelbaker.com/easter-sunday-brunch-2018/.