Easter bunny buddies should plan to hop on over to the St. Charles Park District for some eggs-citing new events and traditional favorites sure to get anyone’s Easter celebrations off to a eggs-ceptionally good start.

Let the season begin with some rabbit-inspired games and a pancake dinner during the Peter & Piggy Pancake Party from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22. Kids ages 1 and older can hop into spring by meeting Hickory Knolls’ very own, year-round Easter bunny, Peter Rabbit. You can even have your picture taken with him and make silly animal faces with your pancakes!

And what would Easter be without an Easter egg hunt? The Park District is offering not one, not two, but three ways to test your — and even your dog’s — special egg-detecting senses. Bring a flashlight and a sense of adventure for the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 23, at Hickory Knolls.

Guests will head into the wild to scout locations of treats left by the Easter Bunny. Successful hunters will surrender their bounty in return for a roasting stick and marshmallows to enjoy a springtime campfire.

“Everyone always thinks of Easter egg hunts as being early morning activities,” said Laura McCoy, nature programs supervisor. “We think searching for goodies just as the sun goes down can be even more eggs-citing!”

For early birds, those traditional, day-time egg hunts still take place. Meet at the River View Miniature Golf Court Yard at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, March 24, so kids can take their places for this popular egg-collecting eggs-travaganza. Bring your own baskets to this free event where children are grouped according to age for their search through Pottawatomie Park.

Even man’s best friend can get in on the egg-gathering action at the Doggie Egg Hunt, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the dog park at James O. Breen Community Park. When your dog touches an egg with its nose, into the basket it goes. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for great fur-family photo opts.

And for children who want to break bread with the Easter Bunny, the park district offers an eggs-cellent way of celebrating with our long-eared pal. The popular “Breakfast with the Easter Bunny” will be held at Pottawatomie Community Center from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 28.

All children, ages 1 to 6, will decorate their own bunny-face pancake for breakfast, have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and end the event with the Bunny Hop!

Advance registration is required for some programs. For more information, visit the Park District’s website at www.stcparks.org.