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Join the Easter Bunny and the Cat in the Hat at Colasanti's Tropical Gardens in Kingsville (1550 Road 3 E.).
The tropical paradise west of Leamington hosts a "free" Easter Scavenger Hunt on Good Friday for children to age 12.
"Each child will receive a map with different locations for them to visit for Easter activities," said Ashley Colasanti. "The last stop will be to meet the Easter Bunny and friend, the Cat in the Hat, and receive a special candy treat."
There will be a toss game, Easter egg obstacle course, rubber ducky prizes and "candy skewer creation centre" to make sweet treats.
It runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (pre-register at 519-326-3287, Ext. 39; tourism@colasanti.com).
Through the day, there are animal shows, face painting and, with an all-day ride pass ($11.99), unlimited mini-golf, rides, petting farm visits, inflatables and bumper cars.
A lunch buffet is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as well as an Easter Sunday brunch, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Easter Monday lunch buffet. www.colasanti.com; 519-326-3287.
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A "Sp'EGG' tacular" Easter event happens next Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ireland House Museum at Oakridge Farm in Burlington.
The historic house (2168 Guelph Line) has an Easter egg hunt, visits with the bunny and friends in a special cabin, and JuggleMagic, said publicist Sylvia Hentz.
There will also be egg painting and decorating, a magic show, helium balloons, giant inflatables and a bouncy castle, face painting, children's prize bazaar, crafts including making bunnies and Easter floral arrangements, and games. Museum tours, historic cooking and sampling, Easter refreshments and heritage demonstrations are also on the agenda.
Admission is $5 for children and $1 for adults. www.museumsofburlington.com/ireland-house; 1-888-748-5386.
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The Toronto Zoo (Meadowvale Rd., Scarborough) holds its 21st annual Easter "Egg Stravaganza" for children to age 12, with the "elusive" Easter Bunny and some 5,000 animals.
Running from Good Friday through Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., children get passports with fun riddles that lead them to animal exhibits in pavilions decorated with Easter eggs.
The Easter Bunny will appear at the main entrance at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. daily.
Other highlights include talks by zookeepers and watching animals enjoying "nutritious treats," said publicist Katie Gray.
Admission: $21; $15, seniors; $13, children, four to 12; no charge to age three; $10, parking. www.torontozoo.com; 416-392-5929.
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The Easter Bunny will be riding the historic rails including the Port Stanley Terminal Railway Friday through Sunday (www.pstr.on.ca; 1-877-244-4478).
As well, the South Simcoe Railway in Tottenham next Saturday and Sunday (www.southsimcoerailway.ca; 905-936-5815) and the Waterloo Central Railway, return trips from Waterloo to St. Jacob's, next Saturday (www.steam-train.org; 519-885-2297).
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w Among the other Easter events:
On Easter Sunday, the swans will be strutting their stuff en route to the Avon River in Stratford. At 2 p.m., the Stratford Police Pipes and Drums will lead the swans from their winter quarters behind the William Allman Arena (Lakeside Dr. and Morenz) along a route lined with hundreds of onlookers. There will be 28 swans taking part including a black swan as well as Chinese geese and a bar-headed goose. www.welcometostratford.com; 1-800-561-SWAN.
Easter Egg-stravaganza happens at the London Children's Museum (21 Wharncliffe Rd. S.), next Saturday through Monday. The Easter Bunny will be there with egg hunts at 1 p.m., egg decorating, scavenger hunts, crafts and games. $6; no charge for children to age two (half-price children's admission coupons on the web). www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca; (519) 434-5726.
Easter events at the Children's Animal Farm, Canatara Park (1200 Lake Chipican Dr.) in Sarnia are next Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be an Easter egg hunt, decorating contests for eggs, baskets and bonnets, games, rides and an appearance by the bunny. Free. www.sarnia.ca; (519) 332-0656.
An Easter Egg Hunt at the Sports Centre in Lucknow is for children to age eight next Saturday at 11 a.m., including visits with the bunny. Free. (519) 528-3004.
Wingham's Easter Egg Hunt at Cruickshank Memorial Park is next Saturday at 10 a.m. Free. (519) 357-6731.
Easter Eggstravaganza happens next Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum (13 Burke St.). There will be visits with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt with prizes, games and crafts. $2 a child. www.pencenmuseum.com; (705) 549-2150.
Jim Fox is a freelance writer based in Kitchener. He can be reached at onetanktrips@netscape.net
Delight kids with cosmos, bugs and museums
