Easter Egg Hunt in woods near Castledermot on Easter Saturday

An Easter Egg Hunt is taking place in Mullaghreelan Woods, just outside Castledermot, on today, Easter Saturday from 11am-1pm.

The event is organised by Trail Kids which won a competition through Cadbury’s to raise funds for Barnardos.

Trail Kids organise bi-weekly training sessions for kids designed around trail running and improving their fundamental movement skills.

The organisation adopts a non-competitive approach to get kids active.

Trail Kids has given us the follow information on the event:

"Barnardos do great work in the community, working directly with the children and families who need it most.  They provide services and support in 40 centres across the country and campaign for the rights of all children in Ireland providing training and knowledge resources to childcare professionals.

"The event itself is trail running based. Children and families are encouraged to run as much of the route as they like!

"They will be introduced to the basic skills of map reading, have fun running up and down hills working on their coordination, balance and fundamental movement skills in our ‘play-station zone’.

"Our ‘play-station zone’ is filled with slacklines and ninjalines! Kids will be challenged with various games and routes we encourage parents to move at the pace of the child. Run when the child wants to, walk when they need to and crawl if they have to!

"Activities will be laid out in a circular 2.2km marked route in the forest and finish with the egg hunt. We can guarantee you that the children will have earned their eggs!

"Our goal for this event is very simple - get families outdoors and active together and raise money for a great cause. We want to introduce them to trail running, specifically running through the woods, along the trails and enjoying the activities en route.

"There are many benefits to trail running, especially for kids! It can help connect them with the outdoors and provide exercise in green spaces. When people trail run, they are generally less concerned with how long it took or how far they run they are more in tune with their surroundings and are generally more present and aware as the terrain is always changing, you’re going uphill, then downhill, on a camber, have to jump over a fallen tree, avoid tree routes. Much more fun than road running!

"Trail Kids is set up as a social enterprise to provide an alternative physical activity session for children. Sessions are based around the primary reason kids move - FUN. We encourage movement and physical activity that is child-led. Children have an input into session design and leading the session. This enables them to develop an ownership of the sessions, increasing their self-efficacy and self-worth. No child is left on the side-lines. Providing the opportunity for fun through a non-competitive environment.

"The children may get mucky!! Take a change of clothes!"

For further information, check out trailkids.ie