Crafts, egg hunts and a sensory friendly event
By Barb Pert Templeton
Hosting family friendly events across the county year-round, including for holidays, is a staple of the schedule with the St. Clair County Library System and Easter events are particularly popular.
Jenna Reed, is the branch lead children’s librarian for St. Clair County Library System, she said everything from crafts, to egg hunts and visits with the Easter Bunny remain prominent on many parent’s to-do-lists this time of year.
The Main Branch of the library is located in Port Huron and they have a pair of special events planned on Saturday, April 12 at the nearby Lincoln Park. The outdoor event invites children to enjoy a hunt for eggs, a dance party with T-Rex and the chance to create some special crafts.
Reed said at the egg hunt, they will have paper bags with handles that kids can decorate for their egg-collecting bags, as well as an easy take-n-make bouncing bunny craft.
“Families seem to appreciate having a few simple activities in addition to the egg hunt so we’ll have those two simple craft activities and we’ll have a story walk and photos with the Easter Bunny,” Reed stated in an email.
Taking photos with the Easter Bunny is a definite plus at the Egg Hunt at Lincoln Park in Port Huron hosted by the Main Branch of the St. Clair County Library System.
In addition, the Port Huron Fire and Police Departments and TRI EMS will also bring vehicles there so they can explore them, as well as meet some of the people who help keep them safe, she added.
The Main Branch is also hosting a sensory friendly event at the Lincoln Park also on April 12 but from 12:00 to 1 p.m.
“A parent mentioned that her child would love to do an egg hunt, but our traditional one can be a little loud and chaotic – in a fun way (hello – dance party with a t-rex!), but it can still be a bit overwhelming for some kids,” Reed said. “So, I talked with one of the coordinators for RESA’s Early On program, who helped us figure out what might be the best way to structure an egg hunt that would benefit kids who need a calmer, quieter experience. So. for the Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt, we’ll skip the t-rex and the dance music. “
Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Reed to pose a few more questions about the Easter activities offered at the local branches of the St. Clair Library System.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Does each branch get to decide what type of Easter event they will host?
Collecting plastic-colored eggs and then trading them in for a bag of candy treats makes the hunt go a lot smoother for local children of all ages.
Jenna Reed, Branch Lead Children’s Librarian for St. Clair County Library System: Yes, each branch chooses programs to provide at their location. We work with guidance from our Adult Services Librarian (for adult events) and our Youth Services Librarian (for teen and children’s events), but since each branch reflects the unique character of its community, staff there are familiar with what the people who live in that community want or need from their library programming.
BWHL: Are Easter themed events at your libraries popular? Is it the crafts or the egg hunts?
Reed: Yes! Very popular. Last year we had three inches of snow the day before our egg hunt and it was about 38 degrees, and we still had about 425 people attending. Fortunately, Lincoln Park has a lot of space so it didn’t seem crowded. The egg hunt is a lot of fun, and kids love the candy, but often parents are most excited about the photo ops with the Easter Bunny.
BWHL: Is there an age range for the various Easter events offered at your libraries? Do you limit participation to that age bracket of is this for all family members?
Reed: The first year we had our egg hunt at Lincoln Park, we tried separating kids into age brackets, but it turned out to be unnecessary. Since we don’t fill the plastic eggs with candy, the kids can hunt for all the eggs they want to, and there’s no reason for squabbling. Kids turn in the eggs they’ve gathered, and that’s when they get their bag of candy. Easy peasy, and the bigger kids aren’t stomping over the littles. We find lots of times the bigger kids are helping younger ones, too.
BWHL: Do the branches try to come up with new ideas for the events each Easter or is it pretty much the same? Example of what’s new this year?
Reed: We usually keep the basics of the egg hunt each year, with the theory that if it works and people are finding value in it, we’ll keep those things. Each year we learn a few more way to make it easier, or more fun, and we work those into the plans for next year.
BWHL: What about meet and greets with the Easter Bunny – is that part of the fun?
Reed: Absolutely! We have a tent where the Easter Bunny sits on a bench, and people can take photos with him. A bench is a nice option, because if kids are nervous about sitting on the EB’s lap, they can sit next to him. We’ll also have a grownup helper there with the Easter Bunny who can help take photos of families using their phones.
Here’s a list, by date/location of library Easter events:
Saturday, April 12
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Place: Marine City Library
Hop on by to join the Easter Bunny in an egg hunt, crafts, and a story! The egg hunt will be outside so be sure to dress for the weather. Sponsored by the Friends of the Marine City Library.
EGG HUNT AT LINCOLN PARK
Saturday, April 12
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
Place: St. Clair County Main Branch at Lincoln Park
FREE! Hunt for eggs, score candy, and party with the Easter Bunny AND the Easter T-Rex. Be ready for fun outdoor activities rain or shine (or snow!), so dress for the weather. – Easter Bunny and Easter T-Rex photo ops available 2 – 3pm. – Easter T-Rex does not wander or interact with kids who are T-Rex shy. – Eggs are empty and turned in for full candy bags. – Registration encouraged so we have enough candy bags.
SENSORY-FRIENDLY LIBRARY EGG HUNT
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Main Library in Lincoln Park
Geared for kiddos who benefit from a quieter, more intimate egg hunt experience. Core board available. Photo ops are available with the Easter Bunny 12 – 1pm. Eggs are empty and turned in for full candy bags or non-candy fun bags. Siblings are welcome, but please register all children attending so we make sure we have enough supplies.
This event will be taking place at Lincoln Park, located at 2720 South Boulevard, Port Huron.
EGG HUNT
Hop into the library Thursday afternoon to search the shelves for eggs! We’ll give you a carton to fill, so everything will be provided!
Date: Thursday, April 17
Time: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: St. Clair Library
COTTON BALL BUNNY CRAFT FOR KIDS
Join us for an Easter craft. Bring your creativity and let’s have some fun! Registration kindly requested.
Date: Saturday, April 19
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 pm
Location: Algonac-Clay Library
To see a complete list for branches across the entire county go to stclaircountylibrary.org/events.
