Mill Bay Cowichan Valley families can find Easter fun at a variety of places this year.
At Mill Bay Centre, there's lots of family events on Easter Saturday, April 19 as the Centre works with the South Cowichan Rotary to present a special morning.
Rain or shine, there's a delicious breakfast starting at 8 a.m. Then, at 10 a.m., outside Bru-Go's coffee shop, children and their parents will gather for the parade to the Brentwood College playing field for the annual Easter egg hunt.
Organizers warn anyone wishing to take part in the hunt to bring his or her own basket and be there in plenty of time for the start as the well-organized event moves quickly once it gets going.
Fuller Lake A little to the north, why not bring the family down to Fuller Lake Park on Easter Saturday, April 19 for a good old fashioned Easter egg hunt? Eggs will be hidden all over the park and at 10 a.m. sharp the rush will be on for the kids to find the chocolate treats.
Organizers - the Chemainus-Crofton #4400 Fraternal Order of Eagles and North Cowichan Parks and Recreation - promise a separate area for toddlers to search for eggs and there will be family activities after the egg hunt.
Crofton In Crofton, on Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there's fun at the Crofton Ballfields at the corner of Emily and Musgrave streets.
There will be a bouncy castle, a giant slide, bouncy boxing and face painting. The Crofton Community Centre is providing hot dogs, refreshments, and tons of chocolate and candy for the kids to search out.
"We just want to have something fun for kids in Crofton. It began with Warmland Community Church but the pastor last year wanted to open it up to the community and found they all wanted to be a part of it," said Pastor Jason Horn.
"It's kind of taken a life of its own this year and many local businesses have stepped up to help fund the fun."
The main event is 12:30 p.m. That's when the running for the eggs takes place.
"What we do is we fill the hollow plastic eggs with foil-wrapped chocolate and then scatter them all over the ballfields," Pastor Horn said.
"One of the highlights for the kids is chasing our Easter bunny, Seamus, too. He gets pretty worn out," laughed the pastor.
Forest Discovery Centre On Easter Sunday, April 20, the BC Forest Discovery Centre is offering an Easter Eggspress event.
There's a scavenger hunt for families and each child will receive some Easter treats at the end of the hunt (while supplies last).
You can also meet Chris Gale, the FDC's new manager.
"I'll be making cotton candy that day," he said. "This is a great family event."
Spend the rest of your time at the FDC riding the train, touring the grounds, and making an Easter craft in the 100-year-old schoolhouse.
Be sure to visit with the Easter bunny before you go, Gale advises.
Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members may use their season's passes for this event.
Please note: due to high volumes of visitors, no pets are allowed at this event. Admission is $8 for adults and seniors, $6 for children three to 12, with children under two years getting in free.
Aquatic Centre, Duncan For the adventurous, how about an underwater Easter egg hunt? Organizers are saying: "hop on into the Cowichan Aquatic Centre" for this annual Easter family-friendly event.
Participants will be able to hunt for coloured eggs in the pool and on the deck to win prizes, get photos with a bunny and play some games.
It's all happening at the family swim from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 20 but organizers say, "please note that the hunt will run at designated times during the swim with designated areas for age groups."
Lake Cowichan If you're at Cowichan Lake, there's still time to join the fun on Monday, April 21.
From 1 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., activities and an egg hunt are planned for the area around the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena and Centennial Park.
Decorate a western hat with beads, feathers and denim in the curling lounge at 1 p.m., then go for an Easter egg hunt at Centennial Park from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. When you've finished hunting for eggs, head up to the arena for a family skate from 3:30 to 4:50 p.m. Please register with the arena for the hat decorating by Thursday.
The cost for the crafting fun is $10 per person but skating and the Easter egg hunt are free.