Becoming Kids Again

As the kids get older, I find myself treasuring our time together more and more. Life gets busy, schedules fill up, and those simple moments of connection become even more meaningful. Add in that my grandbaby is four—truly one of the funniest, most joyful ages—and I knew I wanted to create something special this Easter. Something that would let all of us, no matter our age, be kids again.

So this year, I tried something a little different.

In every Easter basket—including my adult brother's—I added a Nerf gun and a round of bullets. I honestly didn't know how it would go. Would the adults play along? Would it be chaotic? Would it last more than a few minutes?

Well... within five minutes, everyone had claimed their spot in the house and the battle had begun.

Darts were flying. People were ducking behind furniture. Alliances were forming and breaking just as quickly. But more than anything, there were laughs—real, deep, uncontrollable laughter. Giggles echoed through the house, playful challenges were shouted from room to room, and for a little while, we weren't adults with responsibilities.

We were just kids again.

And in that moment, hearing my house filled with that kind of joy, I knew this was something special.

This is going to be our newest tradition.

Next year, though... I think I'm going to take it up a notch by combining our Easter egg hunt with a Nerf battle. I can already picture it—running, laughing, searching, and playing all at the same time. Honestly, I don't think this will stay just an Easter tradition. This feels like the kind of joy we'll want to bring back all year long.

Planning Next Year's Nerf Easter Egg Hunt

Here's the idea I'm already dreaming up:

• Fill plastic eggs with Nerf darts instead of just candy

• Hide eggs all around the yard (or house, depending on the weather)

• Each player starts with an empty or limited number of darts

• As you find eggs, you reload your ammo

• Add in a few "special" eggs with prizes, bonus darts, or even silly challenges

You could even:

• Create safe zones where no one can shoot

• Have team battles (kids vs. adults might be interesting!)

• Include a "golden egg" that gives someone a special advantage

It's the perfect mix of classic Easter fun and active, laughter-filled play.

Because at the end of the day, that's what I want to hold onto. Not just traditions for tradition's sake, but moments. Laughter. Connection. The chance to pause everything else and just enjoy being together.

And if that comes with a few foam darts flying through the air... even better.