11 Easter Egg Hunts: From Flashlights to Geocaching

Yes, there’s an annual adults-only Easter egg hunt in Rochester—and another for dogs, and another with geocaching, and another that drops them out of the sky. Check out more of the best egg hunts around Minnesota.


Photo by wtcamjr/Flickr

Spring is here in Minnesota, with outsiders wondering why we have all this snow on the ground. Of course, we’re used to it, meaning snow is no excuse not to hold Easter egg hunts left and right this weekend. With so many options across the state, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to apply your scavenging talents this year. Here are some of the state’s most unique egg hunts and events—for your kids, dogs, and pals.


1. Easter Biscuit Hunt for Dogs, Byron

WHEN: March 31, 9 a.m.
WHERE: Leashes & Leads, 6214 14th St. NW, Byron
Easter isn’t just for humans; dogs can get in on the fun, too. Leashes & Leads, the pets boarding and supplies store, hosts its annual Easter Biscuit Hunt, a hunt for four-legged family members. Dogs will scavenge Leashes & Leads for eggs filled with doggie treats and fun prizes. Various vendors and trainers will have stands set up, as well as raffles for the chance to win grand prizes. The event will feature outdoor festivities, so remember to dress you and your dog appropriately. Register your dog today to participate in this year’s Easter Biscuit Hunt. Learn more.

2. Red Barn Learning Farm Egg Hunt, Hayfield

WHEN: March 31, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Red Barn Learning Farm, 27251 State Highway 30, Hayfield
Southern Minnesota’s largest petting zoo hosts its sixth annual egg hunt this Saturday. Spend the afternoon petting the zoo’s adorable baby animals while looking for Easter eggs scattered throughout the zoo grounds. Bring a picnic lunch or grab a snack from the zoo’s lunch wagon near the big red barn. Pop open eggs for trinkets and prizes while enjoying the sounds and sights of spring at the Red Barn Learning Farm. Learn more.

3. Easter at the Castle, Minneapolis

WHEN: March 31, 9-10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Turnblad Mansion, 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis
Scour the historic, 33-room Turnblad Mansion for Easter eggs. Hosting one of Minneapolis’ mansion-size egg hunts, the American Swedish Institute invites guests to participate in other Swedish Easter traditions, too, including adding feathers to an Easter tree, creating Easter greeting cards, craft making, and storytelling with the Easter witch. Join ASI as they uphold traditional Easter Swedish traditions in Minneapolis. Learn more.

4. Geocache for Easter Eggs, Prior Lake

WHEN: March 31, 9-11 a.m.
WHERE: Cleary Lake Regional Park, 18106 Texas Ave., Prior Lake
Geocaching has become more and more accessible over the decades as a hobby where you seek hidden items using GPS. Lake Regional Park offers a great introduction to the sport, hosting an Easter egg hunt that tasks guests with geocaching their way to victory. Learn the basics of geocaching and use your newfound skills to locate hundreds of plastic eggs throughout Cleary Lake Regional Park. Get to know your way around latitude and longitude now, to end up with at least something rather than nothing at this egg hunt in Prior Lake. Learn more.

5. Salem Glen Adult Easter Egg Hunt, Rochester [FULL]

WHEN: March 31, Noon-1 p.m.
WHERE: Salem Glen Winery, 5211 60th Ave. SW, Rochester
Feel like you’re too old? Relive the glory days at Salem Glen Winery this Saturday. That’s right: The winery hosts an adult Easter egg hunt—along with endless glasses of wine. Eggs will be scattered around the winery grounds, filled with winery prizes and bonuses. There’s also one golden egg and one silver egg that will reward their finders with large gift baskets. Scavenge for eggs with your friends while sipping on your favorite wine and spirits. Learn more.

6. James J. Hill House Easter Egg Hunt, St. Paul

WHEN: March 31, 10-11 a.m.
WHERE: James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul
The Minnesota Historical Society hosts the annual James J. Hill House Easter egg hunt on the lawn of the historic Gilded Age mansion. Doors open at 9:30 a.m., giving visitors plenty of time to explore the first floor of the home before the Easter festivities. Snacks will be provided while children scatter across the mansion grounds trying to locate tiny plastic eggs filled with fun odds and ends. Uphold the 1898 Easter egg hunt tradition that Ms. Hill instituted more than a century ago. Learn more.

7. Flashlight Egg Hunt, Minneapolis

WHEN: March 30, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Creekview Park, 5001 Humboldt Ave. N., Minneapolis
Put on your night vision goggles, because Creekview Park is hosting a flashlight egg hunt this Friday in Minneapolis. Once the sun goes down, the hunt is on. Fumble around in the dark looking for those pesky plastic eggs filled with prizes and tasty treats. Make sure you bring a flashlight; these eggs don’t glow in the dark. The eggs will be divided up into different age groups so that everyone has a fair shot at grabbing the gold. Come to the hunt by 7:45 p.m. at the latest to be included. Learn more.

8. Tiny Tot Spring Party, Minneapolis

WHEN: March 30, 10 a.m.-Noon
WHERE: Logan Park, Minneapolis
Bring your little ones to the Tiny Tot Spring Party at Logan Park for fun Easter-themed festivities. For ages 1 to 6, kids can get rowdy at an open gym and make creative art projects to take home. Children can have their faces painted and snap a quick photo with the Easter bunny. Be sure to pre-register your child for the event. Learn more.

9. Spring Eggstravaganza: Rock Hunting, Lowry Nature Center

WHEN: March 30 and 31, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Lowry Nature Center of Three Rivers Parks, 7025 Nature Center Dr., Victoria
Use your detective skills while looking for—not eggs, but rocks at the Spring Eggstravaganza rock hunt at Lowry Nature Center. Scavenge the trails for colorful rocks and secret messages. At the end of your hunt, trade in your stones and coded riddles to receive prizes and candy. The Lowry Nature Center also features face-painting, arts and crafts, activity stations, and a live animal exhibit. The Easter bunny makes an appearance to snap pictures with egg hunters, too. Learn more.

10. EggStravaganza Helicopter Egg Drop, Minneapolis

WHEN: April 7, 1-4 p.m.
WHERE: North Commons Park, 1801 James Ave. N., Minneapolis
North Commons Park hosts the EggStravaganza Helicopter Egg Drop in Minneapolis. Thousands of eggs will drop from the sky, so no need to look—just lift up your basket and catch the plastic glories. This event will have live music, bounce houses, face painting, and food available. There will also be a non-perishable food drive that attendees can donate to. All you’ll need is a hard hat and a very big basket, because it’ll be raining eggs. Learn more.

11. The Great United Noodles Easter Egg Hunt, Minneapolis

WHEN: March 31, 10-11:30 a.m.
WHERE: United Noodles, 2015 E. 24th St., Minneapolis
You won’t need a grocery cart for this shopping experience. This Easter hunt hides eggs within the grocery shelves and displays at United Noodles. Hundreds of kids disperse throughout the grocery store, looking for the 150 planted eggs. While the egg hunt is the main attraction, face-painting and an egg-decorating contest will take place as well. Also, keep an eye out for guest appearances. Someone special is sure to stop by. Learn more.