The Easter long weekend is just around the corner and I am looking forward to some fun time with the kids – particularly taking part in a good egg hunt or two. I’m just really hoping it starts looking like spring outside soon and we don’t have to hunt for eggs in the snow.

I love setting up my own small egg  hunt for the kids in our backyard, but it is always great to get out and take part in some of these community Easter activities as well. So, I’ve put together a pretty decent list of where to find some awesome Easter egg hunts and markets in the Ottawa area. Enjoy!

Easter Egg Hunts

Easter at the Estate

Billings Estate National Historic Site

Saturday March 31, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Cost: $6.50 adults, $17.25 families

Head down to this heritage building to meet the Easter Bunny, join the Easter egg hunt, decorate eggs and even plant your own carrot seed to take home.

Hop Into Spring

The Cumberland Heritage Village Museum,

Saturday March 31, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Cost: $7.50 adults, $19.25 families, children under 5 are free

This quaint heritage village will not be holding a traditional egg hunt, but instead kids can unscramble an Easter puzzle. You can also challenge your family to an egg rolling competition, give the Easter basket relay race a try, and decorate eggs.

Valleyview Easter Egg Hunt

Valleyview Little Animal Farm

March 30 – April 2, four days of hunting from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

This is a fun event and opening weekend at Valleyview Animal Farm. Families can visit the farm, and visit with the new baby animals as well as partake in the egg hunt, which goes on all day long with admission to the farm. It’s a good idea to bring your own bag or basket to collect the eggs, and be prepared it can get pretty muddy!

Bytown Easter Egg Hunt

Bytown Museum

Saturday, March 31, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

Search for hidden eggs inside the Bytown Museum, each one linked to a piece of Ottawa history. Collect all the hidden eggs and trade them in for a prize. This event is suitable for young children and included with paid admission to the museum.

Easter at the Bunker

Dielenbunker Museum

Saturday, March 31, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Explore the Diefenbunker with this twist on a traditional Easter Egg Hunt. It will be a clever family-friendly scavenger hunt using camouflaged eggs. There will be three levels of difficultly to accommodate a variety of ages. Tickets must be purchased for this ahead of time HERE.

Manotick Easter Egg Hunt

Manotick Village businesses

Saturday March 31, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Shoppers can search for two golden eggs and 500 regular eggs which will be hidden across various businesses in the village.

Egg Hunts at the Sugar Bushes

Proulx Berry Farm has an Easter Egg hunt March 30  – April 2 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Enjoy the egg hunt plus face painting, and a clue hunt. And of course, visit the sugar bush and enjoy a yummy pancake breakfast too!

Stanley’s Farm has an Easter Egg hunt on March 31, the pre sale tickets to this popular event have already been sold out, but there will be tickets available at the farm on the day of, but it is first come first served. Ride the wagon out to the sugar bush where you can meet the Easter Bunny and help him search for his lost eggs, and add them to your basket. Then head back to visit the baby animals in the barn.

Easter at the Farm

Canadian Agriculture and Food Museum

March 30 – April 2, 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

There isn’t an egg hunt offered here but come families are invited to come celebrate the return of spring with tons of new animal baby arrivals. Learn all about eggs, meet the chicks and ducklings, and enjoy face painting, crafts, a children’s obstacle course and baking demonstrations.

Easter Markets

Carp Easter Market

Carp Fairgrounds

Saturday March 31, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Enjoy more than 60 local vendors, and eat in the food court. There will also be a free gift basket draw and 50/50 draw to take part in.

Easter Market

Alfred Taylor Community Centre

Saturday, March 31, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

This is the annual Easter market in the North Gower area with dozens of vendors.

Metcalfe Easter Market

Greely Community Centre

Saturday March 31, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

This event is hosted by the Metcalfe Farmers Market, and there will be plenty of gifts, foods, baked goods, health and wellness products and more.

Stittsville Easter Farmers Market

Stittsville Market at The Barn

Sunday April 1, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

People of all ages are invited out for the first Stittsville Farmers market of 2018 in the park.