Go Ask Mom Easter Guide: Make your egg hunt plans

Easter is April 4 this year. But it's never too early to celebrate (at least according to retailers who put the Easter candy out right before Valentine's Day).

If you're looking for the Easter Bunny at the mall or planning to take the kids to an egg hunt, find out here when and where it's all going to happen.

And a couple of words on the egg hunts: If you're a newbie, don't waltz in a few minutes late. Many last only moments as kids rush to get the most candy-filled eggs. It's best to arrive a little early to get your places. Unless otherwise noted, all these events are free.

This list should at least get you started in your planning. Be sure to click on the links to find complete addresses and more details. I'm still waiting to hear from a few organizers and will be updating the list over time. And you can find more events in WRAL's Out & About calendar.

And if your business, church or community event is not listed here, please add it in the comments.

Happy Easter!

Mall bunnies

Crabtree Valley Mall, Raleigh
Kids can enjoy a free breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. (while supplies last) on March 13. Then follow the bunny down to the promotion court for pictures, which start at 10 a.m. and continue during mall hours through April 3. It's free to sit with the Easter Bunny and parents can take photos of their kids on the bunny's lap in the designated photo area outside the set. Otherwise, you'll need to pay for the photo package. Website

Crossroads Plaza, Cary
The annual Easter egg hunt and visit with the Easter Bunny is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 3. The hunts will be divided up into age categories ... 1 to 3, 4 to 7 and 8 and up. You'll also find rides, games, prizes and more. Website

Triangle Town Center, Raleigh
The bunny sits down for photos starting at 10 a.m. March 13. Website

Cary Towne Center
The bunny sits down for photos starting at 10 a.m. March 13. Website

The Streets at Southpoint, Durham
The bunny will be there for photos from March 20 to April 3. Get your pictures before March 25 and get $2 off with a coupon from the website

Northgate Mall, Durham
The Easter Bunny arrives in the grand Easter Parade at Northgate Mall on March 20. The parade begins in front of Macy’s at 10:45 a.m. and after the parade, the bunny will take his place in the magic flower garden where kids can visit him and have their photos taken. And Northgate’s train (located at Center Court close to the bunny photos) will take kids on a spring tour of flowers and bunnies to mark the "magic of spring."  Website

Easter Egg Hunts

Wake County

Raleigh

Egg hunts will be at Raleigh community centers across the city at 11 a.m. March 27. Some center will hold special pre-hunt activities. Chavis Community Center will have a party at 10:30 a.m. Anderson Point will host "Eggcelent Games at Anderson Point" from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. There's a free breakfast at Brier Creek's Great Egg Scramble at 10 a.m. Click here for a full list of Raleigh's community centers.

Mordecai Historic Park Egg Hunt: 11 a.m. to noon March 27. The egg hunt will take place at 11 a.m. Food, music, and a visit from a special bunny also part of the event. For kids 12 and under. Website

Wee Walkers Egg Hunt: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 1, Durant Nature Park, Raleigh. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy learning where real eggs come from. Then hunt for plastic eggs in the field. A short nature walk afterwards. Website

Raleigh Easter, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 3. The event at Moore Square (across from Marbles) in downtown Raleigh will feature 10,000 eggs, live music and more. Website

Cary

Get your tickets for Cary's Breakfast with the Bunny, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. March 27 at Bond Metro Park. After breakfast, there will be three morning egg hunts and three afternoon egg hunts with participation based on age. Magic shows at 11 a.m. and again at 2:30 p.m. are part of the day. Breakfast with the Bunny tickets are $4 each for people age 10 and over and $3 for kids ages 3-9. There is no charge for children 2 and under, but they must still have a ticket. Breakfast tickets can be purchased at Herbert C. Young Community Center and will be available until sold out (which they usually do). All Easter Egg Hunts are free and no tickets are required. Website

Apex

After a break last year because of budget cuts, the hunt is back. It's at 10 a.m. March 20 at Apex Town Hall Campus. For ages 9 and under. Get there early to meet the Easter Bunny. Website

Holly Springs

The town's egg hunt is part of its Spring Fling and Community Wide Yard Sale, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon March 27 at Womble Park. Egg Hunt activities will run from 10 a.m. to noon. The actual hunt, for kids 0 to 8, starts at noon on the baseball fields. You'll also find games, inflatables, music and more. Website

Fuquay-Varina

Hop from shop to shop on Main and Broad streets for candy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 in downtown Fuquay-Varina. Sponsored by the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association. Website

And F-V's parks department is holding an egg hunt from 10 to 11 a.m. March 27 at South Park. For ages 10 and under. Hunts will be divided up among age groups. Website

Garner

The annual Egg Hunt & Kite Fly at Lake Benson Park is from 10 a.m. to noon March 27. There will be kite flying, Easter Bunny visiting and inflatables. Kids ages 8 and under will be divided into three age groups (2 & under, 3-5, 6-8) to hunt for candy eggs. The egg hunt will begin at noon. If it rains, candy will be handed out under the large shelter between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Website

Knightdale

The egg hunt is at 11 a.m. March 27 for kids age 0 to 8 at Harper Park. Website

Morrisville

The town's egg hunt is at 10 a.m. April 2 for kids ages 3 to 10 at Cedar Fork District Park on Aviation Parkway. Website

Rolesville

The Rolesville Chamber sponsors Easter in the Park from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 27 at Rolesville Main Street Park, Scarboro St. For kids 12 and under. Food, inflatables, face painting, balloons and, of course, the Easter Bunny will be there. Details

Wake Forest

More than 3,000 eggs will be hidden at E. Carroll Joyner Park for the March 20 hunt, which starts at 1:30 p.m. for kids ages 9 to 12. A second hunt for ages 5 to 8 starts at 2:15 p.m. Ages 4 and younger can search for eggs at 3 p.m. Website

Zebulon

Get there by 9:50 for the 10 a.m. hunt at Zebulon Community Center. For kids ages 8 and under. Website

Durham County

Durham

Durham County's Main Library will hold "An Egg-Straordinary Easter Special" from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. April 1. There will be stories about the Easter Bunny and Little Bunny Foo Foo, crafts, music, and a treat. Website

The Durham parks department will hold egg hunts at 10:30 a.m. March 27 at Campus Hills Park and West Point on the Eno Park. For kids 12 and under. Website

Orange County

Carrboro/Chapel Hill

The Community Egg Hunt features the Sandbox Band at 9:30 a.m. with the egg hunt starting at 10:30 a.m. March 27 at Hank Anderson Park in Carrboro. The hunt is for kids ages 2 to 10. Website

Chapel Hill

The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill's annual Easter Egg Hunt is at 10 a.m. April 3. Kids of all ages are invited to come play outdoor games and help find eggs hidden around the Horace Williams house. Website

Hillsborough

The Burwell School will once again hold its popular egg hunt at 2 p.m. (sharp!) March 20. For kids under age 12, the hunt features thousands of eggs hidden across the historic property. Website

Johnston County

Selma

The town will hold its "Great Egg Scramble" at 10 a.m. March 27 at Selma Middle School. Three different age divisions (3 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 11) will be assigned for the hunt. And bring $2 for a photo with the Easter Bunny. Website

Clayton

The town holds its egg hunt at 10:30 a.m. April 2 (that's Good Friday) for kids ages 5 and under at Clayton Community Park. The Easter Bunny will arrive by fire truck! Website

Again ... if your event is not on the list, please add it in the comments.