In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on both Easter egg hunts and other outdoor spring activities that children will often be taking part in this time of year. While Easter itself is still about a month away, many families prepare their Easter day activities well in advance – and even for those who don’t, there are a number of other outdoor play and fun activities that contain at least some of the same themes.

At Smart Kids Development Center, all the staff members at our child care program are well-versed in supervising and caring for children during outdoor activity, including during the spring for Easter egg hunts and similar pursuits. When any of these sorts of events are run in our facilities, we take great care in several important areas, which parents can also maintain within their own homes. Here are a few other vital considerations to keep in mind during not only Easter egg hunts, but also similar activities.

Allergy Considerations

There are a number of people who suffer from peanut or tree nut allergies, and if your child is one of them, chances are you’re already well aware of this given the potential severity of these allergies. However, there are also some other allergies to consider, especially if you’re doing an Easter egg hunt.

To be specific, some kids may have allergies to food color, or to eggs themselves. Others may have issues with soy or milk. If you’re having other kids over to the house for an Easter egg hunt or any similar activity involving potential allergens, check with parents of those children ahead of time.

Eggs and Spoiling

For many families, the actual act of decorating Easter eggs is a fun tradition you perform every year. It’s just important to remember here that eggs do spoil, and somewhat quickly if they aren’t refrigerated. Hard-boiled eggs, for instance, shouldn’t be eaten if they’re left out for several hours as part of the egg hunt. And of course, if any non-edible dyes, paints or related products are used for decorating, those eggs should not be consumed by anyone, especially kids.

Egg Hiding and Supervision

For egg hunts and other spring activities, kids will do plenty of running around outside. For this reason, egg hiding locations should be carefully chosen – don’t hide them in places where there are major hazards, from vines that might trip them to holes in the ground and even potential hiding places for animals. Also be careful of foliage around the home that’s poisonous or has any pesticides within it.

For more on how to keep kids safe and healthy during Easter egg hunts and similar spring activities, or to learn about any of our preschool, after school, daycare or other child care services, speak to the staff at Smart Kids Development Center today.