Grab your bonnet and basket and hop on over to one of these local Easter events

Grab your children or grandchildren and "hop" on over to one of the Easter activities going on in your neighborhood. Some events begin Saturday or require pre-registration. Activity is free of charge unless stated otherwise.

BENTON HARBOR

Easter Egg Hunt Kit — 5 to 8 p.m. April 4, Fab Lab, Hanson Technology Center, Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Make and take wooden Easter eggs that can be used for years. Receive six eggs, approximately four inches each, to paint and decorate. Pick up a kit or stay and decorate the eggs in the lab. The cost is $5 per kit. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/easter-egg-hunt-kit-6pack-laser-make-and-take-wooden-fab-lab-tickets-568395966637.

Easter Bunny Workshop — 5:30 to 8 p.m. April 5, Fab Lab, Hanson Technology Center, Lake Michigan College, 2755 E. Napier Ave. Purchase a ticket for $28.52 to create and decorate one laser-cut rabbit. Technicians will guide you through the process. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/easter-bunny-workshop-fab-lab-laser-painting-rabbit-engraving-fab-lab-tickets-568394813187.

BERRIEN SPRINGS

2nd Annual Great BCHA Bunny Hunt — 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. April 2, History Center at Courthouse Square, 313 N. Cass St. Families will search for 24 bunny tokens (one token per family) in one hour. The token will be exchanged for an 8-inch rabbit filled with candy and small toys. Registration is required by calling 269-471-1202 or email info@berrienhistory.org. Registration ends April 1. There is no cost for this event, but donations are welcome.

BRISTOL

April Fool’s Easter Petting Zoo — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1, Bristol Public Library, 505 W. Vistula St. The petting zoo will consist of 10 different animals from Mark’s Ark, an Easter backdrop will be set up for photo shoots and selfies, and the Easter Bunny will hand out candy to children as they leave the event. No food or drinks will be permitted around the animals.

DOWAGIAC

Easter Eggstravaganza — 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 1 (rain date April 8), City Hall Park, 241 Front St. Enjoy an old-fashioned egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, enter the “Be a Bunny” costume contest, sidewalk chalk art, face painting, games, a bounce house and cookie decorating.

Family Easter Event — 2 to 5 p.m. April 8, The Strand Brewery & Kitchen, 93415 County Road 690. Bring the family and let the kids visit with the Easter Bunny from 1 to 3 p.m. An egg hunt will begin at 3 p.m. There will be food and drink specials as well as live music.

ELKHART

Easter Egg-Straordinaire — 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1, 2 and 8; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 3-7, Linton’s Enchanted Gardens, 315 County Road 17. Take a ride aboard the Easter Eggspress, see the duck waterslide, and visit baby chicks, lambs, a calf and goats, along with other animals in the petting zoo. Decorate a cookie for $1.99. Photos with the Easter Bunny can be taken from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 1, 2, 7, and 8; and from 3 to 6 p.m. April 3-6. Bring your own camera and a non-perishable food item to donate for each person. Donations will go to Church Community Services Food Pantry.

Elkhart Easter Egg Hunt — April 1 through April 30, select city parks and the Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave. Go to the following parks: Studebaker, McNaughton, Willowdale, Walker, Island, High Dive and the EEC to look for painted wooden Easter eggs. Return the egg to the Parks & Recreation Department at 229 S. Second St. or the EEC to receive a prize. Limit of one egg per family. A total of 36 eggs will be spread across the parks and 12 eggs will be hidden at the EEC.

The Bunny Express — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25, National New York Central Railroad Museum, 721 S. Main St. There will be an Easter scavenger hunt, games, activities, photos with the Easter Bunny and treat bags for all children. The cost is: adults, $6; seniors, $5; children (ages 4 to 12), $5; children (ages 3 and under) and members, free.

Easter Egg Hunt in the Pool — 2:30 p.m. March 25, Shepard Swim School, 1001 Parkway Ave. This event is for children 0-12. Enjoy hunting for eggs in the swimming pool, pictures with the Easter Bunny, prizes and meet Sheppy, the pool’s mascot. Limited spaces, so registration is required. Participants need to be dressed in swimsuit before coming. Bring a towel, goggles and non-air filled flotation device for your child. No blow-up rings or arm floaties. Swimmers will be divided into age categories. The cost is $30 per participant. For more information and to register, go to: app.iclasspro.com/portal/shepardswimschool/camp-details/713.

Easter Party for Littles — 10 to 11 a.m. April 4, Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St. Games, stories, music and an egg hunt for pre-schoolers.

Natural Egg Dyeing — 4:30 to 6 p.m. April 4, Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave. Learn to color eggs with materials from nature. Stop by anytime during the 1½ hours and try a few different dye baths made from beets, cabbage and more. All ages welcome. Registration is required at Elkhart-environmental-center.ticketleap.com/natural-egg-dyeing and the cost is $4 per person.

Easter Egg Hunt Party — 4 to 5 p.m. April 6, Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. Second St. Enjoy stories, songs and surprises before hunting for eggs. Bring a basket or bag to collect the eggs. Children will also receive a goodie bag.

Easter Sunday Celebration — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., April 9, First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Beardsley Ave. Following services at 9 and 11 a.m., the Easter egg hunt for children will be held about noon. Everyone is welcome.

GOSHEN

Easter EGGSTRAVAGANZA — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 1, Crossroads Community Church, 57415 Alpha Drive. Don’t miss out on a petting zoo, food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, magic shows by illusionist Steve Vaught and more than 100,000 eggs and pieces of candy. Egg hunts are at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Easter Egg Carnival — 10:15 a.m. April 2, Beulah Missionary Church, 57595 Old County Road 17. There will be a special program for children starting at 10:15 a.m. and then the carnival will follow. Lunch will be offered after the carnival. All are welcome.

LAKEVILLE

Easter at the Park — 8:30 a.m. to noon April 8, Newton Park, 801 N. Michigan St. Kids will hunt for over 20,000 eggs spread across two soccer fields starting at 9 a.m. Fields divided by age groups. After the egg hunt enjoy visits with the Easter Bunny, crafts, games, prizes, cookie decorating, face painting, and more.

LAPORTE

Easter Egg Hunt — 11 a.m. CDT April 8, LaPorte First Church of God, 2020 E. Lincolnway. Kids of all ages are welcome.

MISHAWAKA

Community Easter Party and Egg Hunt — Come join the fun from 9:30 to 11 a.m. April 8 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 437 E. Dragoon Trail. The party begins with a dance performance and sing-a-long! Kids will rotate through stations in groups by age: egg hunt, snacks, craft, bingo and prizes, and the Easter Bunny. Indoor egg hunt if too cold. Save time at the door with Fast-track pre-registration at splcm.org/eparty.

Easter Bunny Photos — The Easter Bunny is available at University Park Mall, 6501 N. Grape Road, for photo opportunities until April 8. Register for a date and time at simon.com/mall/university-park-mall/news-and-events. Photo packages start at $19.99.

NILES

Easter Pancake Breakfast — The Michigan State Police Niles post will host an Easter Pancake breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. April 1 at the Niles Law Enforcement Complex, 1600 Silverbrook Ave. Basket gifts will be given to children, at no cost to families.

NORTH JUDSON

Easter Trains — 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. CDT April 1 and April 8, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, 507 Mulberry St. Enjoy the sights and smells of springtime as you take a 10-mile round-trip ride through the rural countryside. Riders, ages 2 to 12, need to bring a basket or bag to collect eggs during the egg hunt. Everyone can visit with the Easter Bunny. Riders have the option of riding in open-air sightseeing cars or a vintage coach. Dress for the weather. Tickets are $20-$14; free for ages 2 and younger. Reservations required at hoosiervalley.org.

NORTH LIBERTY

Easter Egg Hunt — 10:30 a.m. April 8, Friends of Potato Creek State Park, 25601 Indiana 4. Search for Easter eggs on Darcey's Beach. Get candy bags, win prizes, make a craft, pet farm animals, and meet the Easter Bunny. Event is for children ages 12 and under, $2 per person (plus park gate fees). Arrive 30 minutes early for registration. Call the park office with any questions, 574-656-8186, ext. 450.

OSCEOLA

Easter Egg Hunt — 2 p.m. April 2, (rain date, April 8), Osceola United Methodist Church, 431 N. Beech Road. Family activities include an egg toss, 3-legged race, bean bag toss, bunny sack race. The day will end with the egg hunt. All participants will receive a goody bag to take home. For more information, call 574-679-4435.

SOUTH BEND

“Meet the Bunny” Photo Event — 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 25, all 20 Martin’s Super Markets locations in Indiana and Michigan. A donation of $5 per digital photo will be collected and proceeds will go to local non-profit organizations selected by each store.

Easter Eggstravaganza — This free family event will be from noon to 4 p.m. at Paramount South Bend (Tarkington Traditional School), 3414 Hepler St. Activities include: jelly bean guessing, face painting, crafts, egg hunt, cotton candy, spoon races, cupcakes, and free photos with the Easter Bunny.

Easter Egg Dash — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 8, O’Brien Park, 321 E. Walter St. The dash is for infants up to fifth grade. Arrive early and bring a bag to collect eggs. After the dash, head over to SouthGate Church, 3717 S. Michigan St., for photos with the Easter Bunny, cookie decorating and other fun activities.

Spring Craft Show and Visit the Easter Bunny — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 8, St. Joseph County 4-H Fairgrounds, 5117 S. Ironwood Drive. Admission: $5, children (ages 8 and younger), free.

Easter “O” Hunt — 1 to 3 p.m. April 9, Brown Barn, St. Patrick’s County Park, 50651 Laurel Road. This event is recommended for children ages 6 and older. Hop over and take part in a fun family challenge exploring the park for Easter eggs. Maps will be available to help navigate. Eggs will be turned in for candy. Bring a basket. Registration and payment of $5 per child required by April 4. Email for registration at bendixwoods@sjcparks.org.

VANDALIA

Spring Egg-stravaganza — Noon to 2 p.m. April 1, Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, 15122 Monkey Run St. Families can hop over to the park to help find thousands of eggs. The hunt will be divided into two groups: ages 2 to 4 will be held at 12:30 p.m. and ages 5 to 10 will be held at 1:30 p.m. In addition to the egg hunt, try the inflatable slide, face painting, crafts, wagon rides and a bonfire. The Easter Bunny will make special appearances for photo opportunities. Bring your camera. Admission is $2 per person, or one canned food item per person. All canned goods will be donated to a local food pantry.

Easter Egg Hunt — 2 p.m. April 8, Rainbow Farms, 59934 Pemberton Road. Help find 10,000+ eggs, enjoy a magic show with Jay Blackwell, see Elsa, the Easter Bunny and Spiderman. Register for a bike give-away. For all ages.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Easter events will keep you hopping