Who can resist an Easter Egg Hunt? Scrambling to find hidden treasures seems to be a favorite of children of all ages, and not something we grow out of. That’s why we love finding “Easter Eggs” in pop culture – little extras hidden in movies, video games and other places. And that’s why The Big Apple is hosting the Big Egg Hunt!
Not one to do things in a small way, New York City is taking the Easter Egg Hunt to mammoth proportions with the city-wide Faberge Big Egg Hunt going on how through April 17th. Giant eggs – we’re talking 2-1/2 foot tall giant eggs – have been decorated by famous artists and designers like Ralph Lauren, Jeff Koons, Lego brick artist Nathan Sawaya, “Where’s Waldo” creator Martin Handford, and dozens more. Nearly 275 eggs in all, hidden throughout the boroughs. As you might expect, the Where’s Waldo egg is a hunt in itself, moving to a new location every day.
NYC has also brought the Egg Hunt into the 21st Century: New Yorkers and visitors can hunt for the eggs using their smartphones, at the same time entering an interactive contest for a chance to win a real Faberge jewel encrusted egg pendant. New York City apparently has one fancy Easter Bunny!
The Egg Hunt NY will give you clues to help you find eggs that come in all shapes and shells.
First things first – you need to download the free smartphone app, The Big Egg Hunt NYC, from Google Play or the App Store. Using the app, you can “collect” eggs when you find them hidden around the city. Locations are top secret until at least 10 people have found an egg, and then it gets added to a map. The app includes said map, along with updates and clues, and your very own egg basket to keep your Faberge Egg Selfies in.
Not feeling the adventure? You can skip right to Saks Fifth Avenue, or keep your eye open for pop-up locations around the city, where you can buy your very own mini-replica eggs, along with a children’s book about the hunt, “egg-celent” bags, t-shirts and more. After the hunt, the eggs will be gathered up and…they’ll hatch and 275 mini-Godzillas will rampage throughout the city!
Just kidding. We all know that only happens at Madison Square Gardens. But really, the eggs will be on display for April 18 to 25 at Rockefeller Center , and then auctioned off by Sotheby’s and on-line auctioneer Paddle8 to benefit the conservation organization Elephant Family, and Studio in a School, a program that brings visual arts to underserved kids in New York City. (24 of the eggs were made by kids who participate in Studio in a School! It’s the circle of Eggs!)
Egg-cited? You can find out more at TheBigEggHunt.org. Not going to be in NYC but still want to help? You can shop and make a donation on the web site, too.
Happy Hunting!
Eggs from London’s Big Egg Hunt in 2012. (Photo: TheBigEggHunt.org)
What a great idea to celebrate Easter and to benefit the charities. It’s a shame I won’t be in New York!