The hunt is on

Hey kids, it's time to get your eagle eyes focused, your fingers limber and your sweet tooth polished.

It's almost spring. And over the next two weekends, the Easter Bunny will hop into various local parks and playgrounds to hide his brightly colored chocolate treats and candy-filled containers.

He'll be dropping off a few thousand eggs for those taking part in all kinds of egg-related events.

Here's a look at egg-citing opportunities around DuPage County.

Addison

• The annual Addison Park District Easter Egg Hunt and Kiwanis pancake breakfast will be Saturday at the Community Recreation Center, 120 E. Oak St. Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by photos with the Easter bunny from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and the egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. Tickets for breakfast cost $4, $3 for seniors 60 and older and $2 for children 12 and younger. Photos with the Easter bunny cost $3 each. The egg hunt is free. Call (630) 889-2150 or visit www.addisonparkdistrict.org.

Aurora

• Orchard Valley Community Church is planning to drop more than 20,000 Easter eggs at 4:15 p.m. March 22 from a helicopter onto the church property at 101 Barnes Road, Aurora. The event will end at 4:30 p.m. and is for children younger than 12. Each egg has a prize inside. For details, call (630) 897-8888.

Bloomingdale

• Bloomingdale Church will hold an Egg Hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 22 at the Westlake Clubhouse, 299 Edgewater Drive, Bloomingdale. For details, call (630) 894-0090.

Elmhurst

• Immanuel Lutheran Church's fifth annual community pancake breakfast and Easter egg hunt will be Saturday at the church, Third and Michigan streets, Elmhurst. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. and the egg hunt, for children in third grade and younger, will begin at 10 a.m. In case of inclement weather, all activities will move indoors. For details, call (630) 832-1649 or visit www.ilcelmhurst.org.

Carol Stream

• The Carol Stream Park District's Eggcellent Hunt and breakfast with Peter Rabbit will be Saturday. Seatings for breakfast will be at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. at the Aldrin Community Center, 391 Illini Drive. Egg hunts for children 17 and younger will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Armstrong Park. The cost is $9 for adults, $5 for children, free for kids 2 and younger. For details, visit www.csparks.org or call (630) 784-6100.

Glen Ellyn

• The Easter bunny will be waiting with an egg hunt and Easter art from 10 to 11 a.m. March 21 at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse, 645 Lenox Road, Glen Ellyn. The event is for ages 8 and younger. Adults may accompany children. The fee per child is $15 for residents, $22.50 for others. For details, visit www.gepark.org or call (630) 858-2479.

• Southminster Presbyterian Church will hold an Easter story, party and egg hunt rain or shine at 9:30 a.m. March 22 at the church, 680 S. Park Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The program is for children through fifth grade. Those attending may bring a basket to decorate or make one at the drop-in event. Children must have an adult companion. For details, visit www.southminsterpc.org or call (630) 469-9149.

• Cornerstone Christian Church will hold a community Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. March 22 at the church, 312 Geneva Road, Glen Ellyn. The event includes a Bunny Petting Zoo, three age-based egg hunts, crafts, cookie decorating and games. Those attending are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank. For details, visit www.cccge.com or call (630) 469-3536.

Glendale Heights

• The Parks and Recreation Department of Glendale Heights will hold an egg hunt beginning at 8:15 a.m. Saturday for ages 5 and under with an adult at Safety Town, 300 E. Fullerton Ave., Glendale Heights. The hunt continues at 9 a.m. for ages 6 to 8 with an adult, 9:30 a.m. for ages 5-6, and 10 a.m. for ages 7-8.

• A Breakfast with the Easter Bunny is planned from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sports Hub, 250 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights. Photos with Peter Rabbit are available for $2. The fee for breakfast is $3 for adults, $2 for children up to 12 years; free for ages 3 and under with a paying adult. For details, call (630) 260-6060.

Itasca

• An Easter candy hunt for children 10 and younger will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in Washington Park, behind the Itasca Park District Recreation and Fitness Center, 350 E. Irving Park Road. Children should bring their own baskets. Admission is free. For details, call Karyn Roth at (630) 773-2257 or visit www.itascaparkdistrict.com.

• First Presbyterian Church of Itasca will hold an Easter egg hunt and breakfast at 10 a.m. March 22 at the church, 207 E. Center St., Itasca. An offering will be taken. For details, call (630) 773-9606.

Naperville

• Grab your flashlight and hunt for prize-filled eggs under the stars during Naperville Park District's Flashlight Egg Hunt from 7:45 to 8:30 p.m. March 20 at Knoch Knolls Park Wigwam, on Knoch Knolls Road south of Ring Road. The hunt, for ages 9 to 13, will be held outside, so dress appropriately. The cost is $9 for residents, $13 for others. For details, call (630) 848-5000.

• Plenty of colorful eggs and the Easter bunny will be at the 27th annual egg hunt, co-sponsored by the Naperville Park District and Naperville Jaycees. The hunt begins at 10 a.m. sharp March 22 at The Frontier Sports Complex off Cedar Glade Drive and east of Route 59, in Naperville. Bring a container for the eggs. The Jaycees will accept donations of nonperishable food items for the Naperville Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry. The event is free. For details, contact (630) 848-5000.

• St. John United Church of Christ will hold an Easter egg hunt at 9:30 a.m. March 23 at the church, 1190 Olesen Drive, Naperville. For details, call (630) 961-9942.

Roselle

• Trinity Lutheran Church's new Care Center will be dedicated at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church, 575 S. Rush St., Roselle. The event will include an Easter egg hunt. Following the hunt, those who attend will then march to the new center at 233 E. Maple Ave. For details, call (630) 894-3263.

Villa Park

• Villa Park Recreation's Bunny Blast will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave. The event will include games, a moon jump, prizes, a visit by the bunny and more. The cost is $25 per family of five and $4 for each additional person. For details, call (630) 834-8970, (630) 834-8525 or visit www.vprd.org.

• Grace Lutheran Church will hold an Easter egg hunt after Easter service at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast at 8:30 a.m. March 23 at the church, 5 N. Princeton, Villa Park. For details, visit the Web site at www.gracevillapark.org or call (630) 832-0870.

Wheaton

• Registration deadline is today for the Great Egg Scramble Saturday and Sunday at Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton. Children ages 2 to 10 and an adult will hear stories, do crafts and check out animal presentations. The event also will include an egg hunt at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Saturday or 12:30 p.m. Sunday. The fee is $10 per resident, $15 for others. For details, call (630) 665-5534.

• The Pizza with the Easter Bunny fundraiser will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Loretto Early Childhood Center, 1600 Somerset Lane, Wheaton. The event will include an egg hunt, games, prizes, face painting, a visit with the Easter bunny and a keepsake frame, as well as pizza provided by Gino's East, a silent auction and raffles. The cost is $25 per family. Raffle tickets cost $1 each or 12 for $10. Tickets are available at Wheaton Religious Gift Shop, 113 W. Front St., Wheaton or by sending a check to Loretto Center, ATTN: Sister Julie Stapleton, 1600 Somerset Lane, Wheaton, IL 60187. For details, call (630) 690-8410.

• The Wheaton VFW will hold an Easter egg hunt at noon Sunday at the post, ON731 Papworth Ave., Wheaton. The free event is for children 12 and younger. The Ladies Auxiliary of Post 2164 will hold a bake sale from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the egg hunt. Proceeds will be used to ship care packages to troops serving overseas for Memorial Day. For details, call (630) 244-1213.

• Cantigny Park will hold an Easter Egg Hunt beginning at 11 a.m. for ages 1 to 4 and at 11:30 a.m. for ages 5 to 10 March 22 beginning at the visitors center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. The event includes a craft, balloon twisting and a juggler. Participants should bring a basket. For details, call Jennifer Benton at (630) 260-8162.

• St. Matthew United Church of Christ will hold its second annual Easter egg hunt for children ages 1 to 8 at 10 a.m. March 22 at the church, 1420 S. Gables Blvd., Wheaton. The free event offers musical entertainment, refreshments and time with the Easter bunny. For details, call (630) 202-2691.

Winfield

• An egg hunt for children 6 and younger will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Winfield Public Library, 0S291 Winfield Road. Registration is requested. For details, visit www.winfield.lib.il.us or call (630) 653-7599.