Barneblad: Plan a Påskeeggjakt, Norwegian-Style
Easter Fun for the Entire Family
Photo: Graham Oliver / Colourbox
Depending on where you live, there may be fields of daffodils and tulips at Eastertime, the perfect setting for a traditional Easter egg hunt, a fun activity for young and old alike.
On both sides of the Atlantic, one of the most popular Eastertime activities is the traditional Easter egg hunt. It’s also an activity that can be enjoyed anywhere, no matter what the wind and weather. Depending on the conditions of the day, you can set up your Easter egg hunt indoors or outdoors.
There are many different ways to set up your Easter egg hunt. The prelude to your hunt may be another party when families and friends spend time together coloring their eggs. You may want to remove the whites and yolks from the eggs, so that they can later be hung on branches to create a pretty Easter tree. If several eggs are hidden, the children can collect them in a basket.
Setting up an Easter egg hunt Norwegian-style requires some planning. In Norway, the Easter egg hunt is a type of rebus race. The children hunt for Easter eggs, as they get small hints or puzzles along the way that they will have to solve. It is not unusual to have one big egg filled with chocolates and goodies as the ultimate prize.
The children can be given a drawing or text with a hint about where to look next. When they solve the puzzle and find the next post, they may find a new hint about a new place. They keep going like this until they finally arrive at the place where the egg is hidden. The difficulty level of the hints is adapted to the child’s age.
Children who are a little older can be sent out on a longer hunt. You can draw a treasure hunt map that they must follow to find the Easter egg treasure. This type of hunt is best done outdoors. In the map, you can draw in well-known landmarks that the children can use to orient themselves (houses, streets, trees) plus a large cross where the Easter egg treasure is hidden.
From all of us here at the newspaper, we wish you happy hunting and a very GOD PÅSKE!
Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB
Easter in Norway is always a much-anticipated time, with delicious chocolate treats. Large, colorful eggs are filled with all kinds of goodies to enjoy, making the holiday extra special for all.
All About Easter Eggs
Traditionally, eggs represent new life and rebirth. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Some people believe that an Easter egg roll symbolizes the rolling away of the stone at the entrance to the tomb where Jesus lay.
Decorating eggs for Easter dates back to at least the 13th century. In former times, eggs were not eaten during the Lenten period leading up to Easter. It is believed that people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the fast, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.
With time, Easter eggs began to be made of chocolate, as they are intended as a special treat to enjoy on Easter Day.
This article originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
