2012: Hop on over to a Fox Valley egg hunt

Looking for a brunch with the Bunny or a fast-paced egg hunt? You'll find plenty of Easter fun among the events happening over the next two weekends throughout the Fox Valley. Here's a sampling:

Algonquin

Ÿ The village of Algonquin will hold its annual egg hunt promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Presidential Park, 700 Highland Ave. There will be 10,000 eggs. All participants must be accompanied by an adult. Free; no registration. The egg hunt is open to kids, age 12 and younger. To ensure safety, the participants will be grouped by age. For details, visit algonquin.org.

Ÿ An egg hunt for children with special needs is set for 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31, at Towne Park, 100 Jefferson Ave., Algonquin. The Easter Bunny will be present at this Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Jaycees event. Free. (224) 829-5963.

Ÿ On Sunday, April 1, Light of Christ Church will hold an egg hunt at 12:15 p.m. on the grounds at Westfield Community School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Algonquin. There will be five age groupings, including special needs. Free, but participants are asked to bring a food pantry donation. (847) 658-9250.

Ÿ The Congregational Church of Algonquin, 109 Washington St., invites the community to its Easter egg Family Event at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7. Between the hunts, enjoy light refreshments, and learn how to dye eggs and make some crafts. For information, call the church office at (847) 658-5308.

Batavia

Ÿ The Batavia Park District will hold an Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 31, at Prairie Path Park at Rotolo Middle School, 1501 S. Raddant Road. Children will be divided into age groups at 9:45 a.m., and the hunt will start promptly at 10 a.m. Bring a basket to hold your eggs and a donation for the food pantry. Free. bataviaparks.org.

Ÿ Dog owners are invited to bring their four-legged friends to the Batavia Bark Park, 40W101 W. Main St., to hunt for treat-filled eggs at noon Saturday, March 31, for the first Doggie Easter egg hunt. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., but owners are invited to come early to browse a variety of pet-friendly booths and take a photo of your pooch with the Easter Bunny.

Dogs must be leashed during the egg hunt, but owners are welcome to stick around after the event to let their dog run off leash in the three-acre, fenced-in Bark Park. Call (630) 879-5235 or visit bataviaparks.org. Like the Batavia Park District on Facebook for $2 off registration.

Dundee Township

Ÿ The Dundee Township Park District will hold a flashlight egg hunt on Friday, March 30, and features an evening of egg hunting with a flashlight and egg decorating.

Egg decorating begins at 7:30 p.m. and the egg hunt begins at 8 p.m., all at Liberty Elementary School gym, 6500 Miller Road, Carpentersville. The program is for students ages 8 to 12. The fee is $10 for residents and $12 for nonresidents. Call (847) 428-7131.

Ÿ The Dundee Township Park District will offer an egg hunt/hayride, a new adventure, a revamped egg hunt, at Randall Oaks Park on Saturday, March 31. A hay wagon will take parents and children, ages 2-7, to the field where eggs are hidden, and back to the park after the hunt. The bunny will be out and about in the park and many prizes will be in store for your child. Hunts begin promptly at 9, 9:45, 10:30 and 11:15 a.m. Program is at Randall Oaks Park, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee. Fees are $4 for residents and $8 for nonresidents. Preregistration is required; visit at dtpd.org or call (847) 428-7131.

Ÿ The Dundee Township Park District will offer an Easter brunch with the bunny Sunday, April 8, at Randall Oaks Golf Club and Banquets. Enjoy a grand selection of breakfast favorites plus a dessert buffet. Advance reservations are required. Visit randalloaksgc.com or call (847) 428-5661, ext. 2. Be sure to bring your camera to take pictures with the bunny.

Elburn

The Elburn Lions Club will hold a pancake breakfast with the bunny and Easter egg hunt on Saturday, March 31, at the club, 500 Filmore St. Breakfast is from 8 a.m. to noon; the free egg hunt is at 10 a.m., with registration at 9 a.m. Breakfast is $7 for adults, $5 for children 4-11 and free for children 3 and younger. elburnlions.com

Elgin

Ÿ The Elgin Public Museum, 225 Grand Blvd., will present “Natural Egg Dyeing” from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7. The fee is $2. Participants can use a variety of natural dyes from Native American and pioneer times such as onion skins, turmeric (a spice), beets, blueberries and much more. Use modern techniques such as crayons and rubber bands to complete amazing designs. Explore the museum while the eggs are dyeing.

Recipes of the dyes are provided so you can try natural egg dyeing at home. No registration. Call (847) 741-6655 or visit elginpublicmuseum.org.

Ÿ Grace Evangelical Church of Elgin invites you to its community Easter egg hunt. More than 5,000 eggs, full of candy and prizes, will be waiting to be discovered. The event will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Grace Evangelical Church, 1800 Bowes Road, a quarter-mile west of McLean Boulevard in Elgin. Preregistration will begin on-site at 12:30 p.m., or register online by visiting graceevangelicalchurch.com.

This event is free, and is open to all children through sixth grade. (847) 742-6818.

Ÿ The Elgin Jaycees will hold breakfast with the bunny from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at American Legion Post 57, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for kids, age 5-10, and kids 5 and younger eat free. There also will be a free Easter egg hunt and a photo with the bunny. (847) 741-1684.

Ÿ Elgin American Legion Post 57 will host its annual Easter breakfast buffet from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, April 8, at the post home, 820 N. Liberty St., Elgin. Cost is $12, $5 for kids, age 10 and younger; kids age 4 and younger eat free. Along with the usual spread, there will new items such as: omelet station, ham carving station, Belgium waffles, and homemade French toast. They also will have an unlimited Mimosa and Bloody Mary bar for $7.

Geneva

Ÿ On Saturday, March 31, families with preschool- and elementary-age children are invited to participate in the annual “Easter eggs-travanganza” at the west campus of First Baptist Church of Geneva, 3435 Keslinger Road, Geneva. Choose to attend either the early hunt from 9-9:45 a.m., or the late hunt from 10:50-11:30 a.m.

Illusionist Tim Hannig will provide entertainment between the hunts from 10-10:45 a.m., which will include illusions, storytelling, puppets, comedy and audience participation.

Doughnuts, juice and coffee will be provided all morning. The fee for this event is $3 per child with a maximum of $10 per family and will be collected at the door. Registration is required and may be done by registering online at fbcg.com or by calling the church office at (630) 232-7068, ext. 115.

Ÿ The Geneva Park District invites all teens to the “Teen Night Owl Egg Hunt” starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, at Wheeler Park, Route 31 and North Street. Cost is $5 for residents and $8 for nonresidents. Participants should bring their own flashlight. This event will be outside rain or shine, dress appropriately. Preregistration is required by Tuesday, March 27. This event is recommended for ages 10-13.

Ÿ Join the Geneva Park District for breakfast with the Easter bunny from 9 to 10 a.m. or 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road. Pictures will be available during breakfast. Cost is $4 per person for residents and $6 per person for nonresidents. Preregistration is required. Children age 1 and younger get in free, but must register. High chairs are not available.

Ÿ The Geneva Park District's annual egg hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at the Stephen D. Persinger Recreation Center, 3507 Kaneville Road. There will be two designated egg hunt areas, one for children ages 4 and younger, and one for children ages 5 and older. Free; no registration. Call (630) 232-4542 or visit genevaparks.org.

Huntley

The Huntley Park District will hold an Easter egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Deicke Park, with parking at the REC Center, 12015 Mill St. Children will be divided into age groups, including a group for children with special needs. Bring your own basket or bag. The Easter bunny will be there. huntleyparks.org

Lake in the Hills

Ÿ The village will hold its annual Easter egg hunt, starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, March 31, at Sunset Park, 5200 Miller Road. The village is partnering with Jewel/Osco of Algonquin for a morning of hunting, visiting with the bunny, and raffling off prizes. This year, to commemorate the village's 60th anniversary, 60 special eggs containing a $1 coin will be hidden through the hunt.

This free event is recommended for families with children, ages 8 and younger. The hunt begins promptly at 8 a.m., so arrive early and bring your own basket or bag. For details, visit lith.org.

Ÿ Join Cornerstone Baptist Church for an Easter egg hunt from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Marlowe Middle School field, 9625 Haligus Road, Lake in the Hills. The egg hunt for kids, infant to age 12, will feature eggs filled with treats, as well as a “Golden Egg” and a prize. Call (877) 989-8300 or visit cornerstonehuntley.org.

Maple Park

Ÿ The Maple Park Public Library will hold its annual Easter egg hunt, rain or shine, at noon Saturday, March 31, at the library, 302 Willow St. The event is open to ages 12 and younger. Bring your cameras to take pictures with the Easter Bunny from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is not required. (815) 827-3362.

Mooseheart

Mooseheart will hold its annual community Easter egg hunt, rain or shine, at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at Mooseheart's football stadium; enter off Route 31 at Mooseheart's main entrance. It is open to any child 10 and younger in the Fox Valley area. Indoor activities immediately following the Easter egg hunt include: inflatable bounce houses, arts and crafts, farm animals, pictures with the Easter Bunny (bring your own camera), music, hot dog meal, games and prize tables. mooseheart.org.

Pingree Grove

Hop on over for Pingree Grove's annual Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 7, near Cambridge Lakes Charter School, 900 Wester Blvd.

Registration begins at 9:45 a.m. at the soccer fields by the school. There is no fee, but participants are encouraged to bring a donation for the Animal House Shelter of Huntley. A list of its current needs is at animalhouseshelter.com.

There will be an appearance by the Easter Bunny, and an opportunity for kids to find some “special” eggs for bigger prizes. For details, visit villageofpingreegrove.org.

Sleepy Hollow

The Sleepy Hollow Service Club will hold an Easter egg hunt from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, in Sabatino Park. Hunts will be divided into age groups, including a hunt for kids with special needs. The Easter Bunny will pose for photos. Call (847) 574-8116.

South Elgin

Ÿ The South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department will host its annual adaptive spring holiday egg hunt at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Kenyon Woods Middle School, 1515 Raymond St. Children with special needs and their siblings are welcome to walk through the maze and find eggs filled with goodies. Registration is required; call (847) 622-0003.

Ÿ The South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department will offer a breakfast with the bunny from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Village Squire. All participants must register at village hall before the event. Bring your camera as photos are not included. The cost is $24 for residents and $30 for nonresidents for a family of 4. Each additional child is $5. Register early as space is limited; call (847) 622-0003.

Ÿ The South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department will hold its spring holiday egg hunt on Saturday, April 7. Bring your baskets to the old-fashioned spring egg hunt. The hunt begins at noon sharp at Kenyon Woods, off Raymond Street, across from South Elgin High School. The bunny arrives at 10:30 a.m. for photos and departs at 11:50 a.m. just before the hunt. Free; no registration. (847) 622-0003.

St. Charles

The St. Charles Park District will hold a free egg hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 31 at Pottawatomie Park, Meet at the entrance to River View Miniature Golf. Bring your own basket. stcparks.org.

Sugar Grove

Ÿ The Sugar Grove Park District will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by American Heartland Bank and Trust. This free event will be held on Saturday, March 31 at Volunteer Park, rain or shine. Don't forget your basket to collect eggs. The egg hunts will be held at 1:30 p.m. for 1- to 3-year-olds; 1:40 p.m. for 4- to 5-year-olds; 1:50 p.m. for 6- to 7-year-olds; and 2 p.m. for 8- to 10-year-olds.

Ÿ The Sugar Grove Park District's third annual Doggie Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, March 31 in front of the park district office at 61 Main St. It is free. Watch your dog sniff out treat-filled Easter eggs, socialize with other four-legged friends and take pictures with the Easter bunny.

Dogs must be on leash at all times. Only dogs and handlers are allowed to hunt eggs. Don't forget your basket to collect eggs, and camera.

For information, call the Sugar Grove Park District at (630) 466-7436 or visit sgparks.org.