EASTER PARTY GAMES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29138, 25 February 1960, Page 2

EASTER PARTY GAMES

Egg Rolling And Nest Hunts If you are planning a children’s party for the Easter holidays, entertain the guests with some traditional Easter games. Begin the party with an egg hunt. In Germany and Austria little nests of grass or straw, containing Easter eggs, pastry and candy, are placed in secluded spots in the garden. Children, who are told that the Easter bunny has laid the eggs and brought the candy, are sent off to find the nests and eat what is in them. A shy, diffident child can always be guided unobtrusively to find his share without being aware of any adult help. An egg-roiling competition is fun if you have any kind of slope in the garden. For this contest boil eggs hard and give one to each child. Start the race by giving a command to roll the eggs down the hill. Unless unduly battered, the eggs can be peeled and used for savouries or salads. American Custom

This competition was popular in America at Sunday school picnics and Easter parades before the Civil War. The idea was probably introduced by European immigrants to the country. For many years an egg-rolling contest was held annually’ at Easter on the terraces below the Capitol in Washington. Later the venue was changed to the lawn at the White House. Egg-knocking is another traditional sport in many parts of Europe at Easter. In this game, the eggs (usually hard-boiled) are rolled against each other on a lawn or down a hill. The egg which remains uncracked to the end is the “victory egg.”

In Germany and other countries of central Europe, eggs for cooking Easter foods are pierced with a needle at both ends, instead of being broken open. Then the contents are blown into a bowl. The empty eggshells are given to children for various Easter games.

In parts of Germany hollow eggs are painted and suspended from shrubs and trees during Easter week. This is done by carefully threading string through the holes, knotting it at one end and tying it to a branch with the other end. A few cardboard Easter bunnies and sweets can also be used for attractive decorations at an Easter party for children.