Easter Egg Hunts, Your Way: Making Spring Traditions Work for Autistic Kids

You show up at the neighborhood Easter egg hunt with a basket in hand, ready to join in the fun. But your child freezes. Or covers their ears. Or watches from the sidelines while the other kids race across the lawn.

If you’ve been there, you’re not alone.

Traditional egg hunts often come with noise, crowds, fast-paced competition—and those things don’t always work for autistic kids. But that doesn’t mean the tradition has to disappear. It just means you might need to make it your own.

Here’s how to rethink the Easter egg hunt in a way that works for your child—not in spite of them.

Rethink the Setup

Instead of the high-energy “3-2-1-go!” version, try something quieter and more relaxed. You can create a low-key scavenger-style hunt in your backyard or even indoors. One parent in our community shared that using color-coded eggs helped each child know which ones were meant for them—no pressure, no confusion.

Make It Sensory-Friendly

Some kids struggle with loud sounds, unexpected textures, or overstimulation. Swap out the noisy plastic eggs for fabric ones, and fill them with items that suit your child: stickers, fidgets, or small toys instead of candy. You know what your child is into—use that knowledge to make the hunt something they actually enjoy.

Add a Layer of Play

For school-aged kids who do well with interaction and structure, consider building in simple challenges. Inside each egg, tuck a card with a playful prompt: “Hop three times,” “Give someone a high five,” “Act like your favorite animal.” You can even make it collaborative—one child gives the hint, the other finds the egg. It adds variety and keeps things interesting.

Let Your Child Help Design It

Here’s a game-changer: Involve your child in planning the hunt. Ask them how they’d like it to work. Want to hide the eggs instead of finding them? Cool. Prefer a visual map or checklist? Go for it. When kids help create the experience, they’re more likely to feel comfortable and excited about it.

Focus on What Matters

It’s easy to get caught up in what an Easter egg hunt is supposed to look like. But your version—whatever that looks like—is just as valid. If your child finds one egg and is happy, great. If they skip the hunt and just want to be outside, that’s fine too. It’s not about collecting the most eggs—it’s about creating a moment that feels good for your family.

Every kid is different. And your holiday traditions don’t have to match anyone else’s. You get to make them work for you.

If you’re looking for more ideas or want to hear what other families are doing, check out Sojorne. You’ll find resources, real-life stories, and a community that gets it.



Have tips or tweaks that worked for your child? Share them in the comments—we’d love to hear what you’re trying this year.