Is an Easter Egg Hunt Insensitive?

I don't think it's insensitive. All you can do, is invite everyone, and if they don't want to come, they won't.
I think it's a fun idea for everyone. =)

That's an interesting question. Perhaps you should ask yourself and your neighbor (the hosts) whether you would be offended if your family was invited to a neighborhood gathering for the Celebration Feast at Ramadan, or to set-off firecrackers during Chinese New Year, or to play with dreidels at Hanukkah. If you and your neighbors are this sensitive, than I would scrap anything that even hints at a religious point of view. (And, hopefully, that's not the case).

If you don't want to have an Easter Egg hunt, have a scavenger hunt. However, I think that sharing in other people's beliefs, and the diversity that represents, enriches our lives.

You know, I think I have to agree with Mom LK. If I were invited to a Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or other cultural/religious celebration I would think it was pretty cool that someone would want to share their traditions with me, even if it wasn't something I practiced, celebrated, or believed. I think it is all in how you present it, but I can see how even with the best intentions someone could be offended.

I think that is so thoughtful to have an Easter Egg Hunt. I loved reading all the diverse answers (Tracy's was thoughtful!). I would still call it an Easter Egg Hunt (Sorry - I'm still against doing the whole "Holiday Tree" thing too! - We all know it's a Christmas Tree!) Those who want to be part of the celebration will. If you feel that certain people won't participate because of their cultural differences/beliefs - maybe have a dessert party or something fun afterwards, that doesn't cost a fortune. (Dessert parties are fun - we've done that before!)

Just a few things to consider, too. Every year, for about 5 years, I had a similar type party, once a year, for two hours on a week-end night and would invite local neighbors-the whole families! By the fourth year, the majority of parents just let their kids come and I had 100+ people show up and 70 of them were kids! If you are going to do this, I would stress "children come with parent(s)" because the party was out of hand. I babysat all these kids and never visited with my friends, who I would additionally invite, as well as any adult neighbor! It was kind of a sad ending to a nice tradition.

Best of luck to you.

I think the idea of a spring activity is so fun, and it's great of you to think of others. If it's in your yard, it's fine to have an easter egg hunt, but if it's an official "block activity" I think you should avoid using the word Easter. It is the holiest Christian holiday and all. Or you could just call it a "spring egg hunt," I guess. There's nothing very religious about the bunny and eggs.

Or you could do a May Day celebration. http://www.littlekidsgamesonline.com/may-day-party.html has some ideas. I know a family who makes "may day baskets" for their neighbors - very cute.

I wouldn't think it's insensitive and I don't think anyone would be offended to be invited.

Like other posters said, you could call it a Spring Get Together and maybe call it a "treasure hunt" for the kids. You could use plastic eggs as well as little boxes to hide. If you wanted to be sure people of all faiths were able to participate you could include "treasure maps" which would make it officially a treasure hunt and not an Easter Egg hunt.

We are not Christian but we participate in all sorts of other religious celebrations...Chinese New Year, Christmas, etc. It's OK to learn about other religions as long as participating doesn't conflict with your own.

Hi J.!

I say invite them to the Easter egg hunt! I do not think they would take offense at all at this. And just like another poster said... how would you feel if you were invited to a holiday that their religion or nationality celebrates. I know I personally would love to go and would find it interesting and also would be honored! I think they will see it as the invitation it is... time to spend with the neighbors and be a community, to come together! I applaud you and your neighbor for wanting to do anything at all!

Blessings to you and yours!

Maybe you could call it a spring celebration and egg hunt without the Easter part. I know we associate egg hunts with Easter- but it's not like the Easter bunny and eggs really have anything to do with Jesus. Maybe you could put something on the invite like "we want to celebrate spring with our neighbors of all beliefs" or something similar. Sounds like a nice idea.

Hi J.! I work for a Chinese family. They have 3 children, 6yr,4yr,and 2yrs old. the first year i exposed them to halloween, christmas, easter, thanksgiving, allof the american holidays, they didnt let any of their kids do stuff unless my son and i went to the restrant, next year it got better.we were able to give the kids presents and baskets and go trick or treating. now the mom is trying to get involved in her school and all holidays. it has taken maybe 4 year to get them this far. i cant wait til they get to have a christmas tree at home instead of with our presents though! lol good luck! have fun with it

D.

I think it sounds like fun. And let's be real... even though he's called the "easter bunny" he has nothing to do with Easter, the Christian holiday, anyway. All kids would have fun. It's basically a scavenger hunt anyway. You could include items related to spring holidays from other religions, too? You could ask mothers of other faiths for suggestions and then all the kids could learn about all the holidays/religions while having fun with one another. I think it's a fab idea!

J.-

I say invite people to your "Easter Egg Hunt"! If you offend anybody then they are over sensitive! I think that part of the problem today is allowing people to be offended over what I believe and what you believe and so on... I would not be offended if somebody invited me to something that I did not celebrate- If I didn't want to go I would just decline. You sound like a very thoughtful person for even posting such a question but I think that you should go ahead with what you believe in!

Have fun!

I think the egg hunt is a nice idea! For the parents who do not want them to participate, that is their choice! As a teacher, I can tell you, these kids do not have those experiences anymore b/c schools too often can not do them b/c of culture. But outside school, go for it!

As a Jew, I would not be offended to be invited, though I probably would not attend. I do celebrate some christian holidays with friends (attend Christmas parties and such) but participation in an easter egg hunt would feel a little like getting presents from santa. Though we respect others beliefs and customs, we don't participate in the ritual observations. I know many people have said that an egg hunt is not a religious custom, it is very closely tied to the holiday - you can't really separate them.

But, nonetheless, I would say invite everyone and those who don't want to attend will not come. I seriously doubt you will actually offend anyone, especially if you make a little note on the invite that says something about respecting diversity. Or maybe instead of an egg hunt, have a pot luck and call it a spring celebration.
Good luck with the planning!
T.

I'll be another voice for putting together an Easter Egg Hunt. My experience is that some families are offended by religious celebrations in secular settings, like schools. However a neighborhood get together sounds like a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about a tradition that many families enjoy. Growing up Jewish, I always enjoyed coloring Easter Eggs with friends, or even visiting Santa for a candy cane. Just because something wasn't my tradition, didn't mean I was offended by someone inviting me to participate.