Groups line up Easter egg hunts for kids with special needs

Starting this weekend, the Easter Bunny will be sitting for pictures and greetings at area malls. Churches, parks and other venues also are gearing up for big events to mark the season, including opportunities for kids with special needs.

Posted 11:00 p.m. Mar 8, 2018 — Updated 11:00 p.m. Mar 8, 2018

Sarah Lindenfeld Hall

Starting this weekend, the Easter Bunny will be sitting for pictures and visits at area malls. Churches, parks and other venues also are gearing up for big events to mark the season.

I launched our Easter events database last week. It lists more than 50 events across the region - from a Dino Egg Hunt at the Museum of Life and Science to countless traditional egg hunts at parks and churches all over the region.

I wanted to note some special egg hunts that are on the list and designed for kids with special needs. These started appearing in the area several years ago. I'm thrilled to see a growing number of them. And I'm sure the parents and caregivers, who work with kids with special needs, are even more excited about the development.

Here are the ones I found. Let me know if I'm missing any!

Cary

The town's 6th annual Easter Eggstravaganza is Saturday, March 24, at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. The hunt, designed for kids ages 12 and younger with special needs or developmental or physical disabilities, is free. Bring an Easter basket - and a buddy, if needed. After the hunt, a magic show is scheduled. It starts at 4 p.m. Registration is encouraged. Cary's website has the details.

Raleigh

The city's specialized egg hunt for kids ages 16 and under with developmental or physical disabilities is 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., March 25, at Laurel Hills Park, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh. Student volunteers from N.C. State will help out. Participants must be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian, who can complete registration and waiver information upon arrival. It's free. Family members are welcome. Contact 919-996-2147 or SRIS@raleighnc.gov for details, including the specific times for the egg hunt.

And the Beeping Egg Hunt, designed for kids of all ages with visual impairments and their families, is 10 a.m. to noon, April 7, at the Governor Morehead School, 301 Ashe Ave., Raleigh. There will be beeping eggs to find, along with interactive activities, snacks and more. It's hosted by the N.C. Association of Parents with Visual Impairments and the Winston-Salem Bomb Squad. To RSVP, contact NCAPVI@gmail.com or 919-971-6526.

Apex

The town's Egg-Citing Easter Egg Hunt is at 9 a.m., March 24, at Apex Community Center, 53 Hunter St. It's designed for children with disabilities ages 6 and under, who might have difficulty participating in traditional egg hunts. Bring your basket and, if needed, a buddy. Volunteers will be on hand to help out. The town also will host a Flashlight Egg Hunt for individuals ages 6 and up with special needs. Registration is required for the event, which is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., March 22, at Apex Nature Park. You can register online.

Clayton

C3 Church will host a special needs Easter egg hunt starting at 11 a.m., March 24. After the hunt, enjoy a free lunch. To attend, pre-register on the church's website.

Wake Forest

The town will offer an egg hunt time for those with disabilities at 11:30 a.m., March 24, at Joyner Park, 701 Harris Rd.

Goldsboro

The Eggceptionally Fun! Easter Egg Hunt is designed for people with disabilities, who are age 18 years and up. It's set for 11 a.m. to noon, March 27, at Herman Park.

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