WITH the Philippines being one of the most religious countries in the world, it’s no wonder that so many of us are looking for things to do for Easter Sunday. 

Easter egg hunts, egg painting, and eating a hearty meal with family are all things that were staples every Easter during my childhood.

Others had different ways of celebrating one of the most important holidays for Christians. But it’s a day usually spent with loved ones.  

“My favorite [Easter memory] would be celebrating mass with my family, coming home, then having a simple meal,” said Ranch Ramas, a 3rd Year student at the University of Santo Tomas. 

For Kyra Gomez, a 4th Year student at the De La Salle University, Easter is about the thrill of the hunt. More specifically, the easter egg hunt that her family has been doing for years. What makes it special? Everyone can take part in it, not just the kids!

Gomez reminisced about how her lolo would usually stay up until midnight the day before just so he could strategically hide all the eggs.

“The fun thing about it: it wasn’t easy at all. There was even a year where he hid it inside the water tower, and you had to get it with a net; he hid eggs on the roof, on the highest branches of the antik-infested mango tree, gutters, sink pipes, in table legs, taped to the underside of the family dog, and even buried in cow poo!” she recalled. 

The difficulty of the search, she said, only helped to bring the family closer. 

“Everyone would come over to look for the eggs, and everyone was pumped kasi each time you found one, may equivalent cash prize siya,” she said. 

Whether your family likes going out or staying in during Easter, there’s sure to be an activity to be found that all of you can enjoy. Here are a few that we can suggest:

1. Go for a classic easter egg hunt!

If you’re still struggling to look for a place you can go easter egg hunting, or are too lazy to set one up at home (because we know we would be,) you can go to places offering this activity. 

One of these is Madcafe, which will be giving out free candy alongside holding an easter egg hunt and egg coloring activities for the kids. It has branches at SM Fairview, SM Grand Central, SM Southmall, SM Araneta, and Congressional Don Antonio – take your pick on whichever is closest!

The Newtown Plaza Hotel in Baguio City is also offering an “Easterrific Sunday Hop n’ Hunt.” The event, which children can join for a fee, will include an egg hunting activity, loot bags, a kiddie meal, and a magic show. Remember: the kid wearing the best bunny costume gets to win a prize!

If you want to try something close to the metro, Robinsons Magnolia’s Toys R Us branch, located in Quezon City, is offering a Barbie-themed easter egg hunt if you purchase items from the store. Kids can also participate in a costume contest, watch some episodes of Barbie, or take some cute pics to post on the fridge at home. 

2. Take the family out swimming

Many resorts and hotels are offering discounts for Easter; why not take advantage of ‘em? 

The Encanto Hotel and Restobar in Lapu-Lapu City will be offering an Easter Sunday promo, with discounted entrance fees. 

Those in Cebu can enjoy Cebu White Sands and Resort Spa’s carnival-themed Easter. The entrance fee includes a lunch buffet, a variety of food stalls to visit, eggs to hunt and paint, games to play, jugglers and stilt walkers to watch, and of course, a beach and a swimming pool that you can splash around in from 9 am to 5 pm. 

You can also enjoy Subic Waterfront View Resort’s special promos if you celebrate Easter there. You can enjoy the swimming pool as well as a variety of other games like darts, billiards, Jenga, volleyball, and even beer pong. 

3. Eat to your heart’s content

Given the special occasion, many hotels and restaurants have promos that the whole family can enjoy. 

One of these is Crimson Hotel in Manila, which is offering an Easter brunch buffet as well as an egg hunt, contests, and shows. 

One Pacific Place Serviced Residences has a breakfast buffet where kids aged 5 to 10 eat for free as long as they’re accompanied by a paying adult. 

Edsa Shangri-La has an Easter teatime for two. Keep your pinky up as you dine on carrot cake, cupcakes, and even chocolate easter eggs with surprises inside. 

4. Stay in and pig out

If you’re not in the mood to go out, there’s nothing wrong with staying at home and cooking or ordering all your comfort foods to enjoy throughout the day. 

Eat good food and watch some films that reflect your gratitude this Holy Week, or order a kit for an Easter activity you and your family can do together. 

Facebook pages like Swaddle Bun PH, for example, offer easter egg painting kits; the eggs are made out of clay and can be used as piggy banks after, so you get something useful out of your fun craft. Or you can check out Facebook Marketplace for other Easter sculptures the kiddies can paint.  

Raven Jabajab also offers DIY Easter cupcake kits if you’re worried about the clay molds being eaten; play around with the icing, candy, and toppers any which way you like, and then enjoy a chocolatey treat afterward.

5. Don’t forget to give thanks

Above all, Easter Sunday is a time for rest and reflection. 

Ramas, for example, has a family filled with Church servants, so they spend each Easter in the presence of the Lord.

You can also take time during this holiday to do the same; go to your local church and listen to the Sunday mass. 

Or, if you want something grander, you can attend a religious gathering like the Laguna District Grand Easter Feast, to be held at Enchanted Kingdom from 8 am to 12 pm. Here, you can enjoy the comforting words of speakers Jon Escoto, Bryan Aguilar, Darwin Zuniga, as well as special guests Dominique Casacop  and Liz and Anel Son, in an event filled with praise and worship.