This year, public pools across the country made a splashy twist on a spring tradition by inviting families to dive in for underwater Easter egg hunts. Swimmers of all ages grabbed goggles and baskets to search the pool floor for brightly colored eggs filled with candy, toys, and prizes.
The event made waves as a fun and active way to celebrate Easter, drawing big crowds and plenty of smiles. Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, in Sarasota, Florida, held their annual Easter event on April 12, which featured egg hunts in the facility’s swimming pools, divided by age for safety.
Emily Morris, manager of the Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex, said the underwater egg hunt offers a one-of-a-kind Easter experience you won’t find anywhere else in the area.
“Everyone seems to be smiling when they're leaving, so we're happy to be able to do it for the community and host it every year,” she said.
The Indy Island Aquatic Center, in Indianapolis, Indiana, held its free event on April 19, divided into three time slots by age. The event also featured games, face painting, and special eggs with prizes.
YMCAs across the country hosted swimming pool egg hunts, including the one in Port Arthur at the YMCA of Southeast Texas. Molina Healthcare of Texas and the YMCA of Southeast Texas partnered together to host a unique Easter egg hunt experience on April 18 for young swimmers.
Their Hoppin’ and Splashin’ Easter Egg Hunt offered children ages 6 through 12 an opportunity to have fun diving into the swimming pool for colorful eggs and prizes.
For only $5 for YMCA members and $10 for non-members, the event was designed to be affordable with nationwide egg prices at a historic high.
New Jersey’s Cranford YMCA location also held a swimming pool egg hunt on April 13. Kids got to visit the Easter Bunny and swim for Easter eggs in the pool.
Whoever collected the most eggs in 30 minutes won a prize.
Cranford’s $25 event benefits the Strong Kids+ Annual Support Campaign, which ensures that no one experiencing a bona fide financial hardship that lives or works in the community is turned away from the YMCA for inability to pay.
The majority of awards enable participation in the Y’s early learning, school age and summer day camp programs.
