THE TRADITIONS LIBRARY
Easter Egghead
At Easter, hard-boiled eggs are ready to eat—but in this family, there is one playful step before the first bite.
An egg might be cracked gently against someone’s forehead, often when they least expect it. What began generations ago as a competition to find the strongest egg has become a surprise-filled family tradition, anticipated each Easter for the laughter it brings.
Shared by:
Anonymous
0060
CATEGORY
Easter
FREQUENCY
Annually
AGES
All Ages
COST
Low Cost
The Story Behind It
When the submitter’s grandmother was a child, her family held competitions to see whose egg was the strongest. They would tap the eggs against one another, watching to see which shell would hold up.
Somewhere along the way, the competition changed. Instead of cracking an egg against another egg, family members began cracking one against someone’s forehead- often as a surprise.
The family has continued the practice at Easter since the submitter was a child. Each year brings another opportunity for an unexpected tap, a laugh, and a memory to add to the collection.
What You'll Need
• Hard-boiled eggs, cooled and ready to eat.
• A little room around the table.
• Willing participants and a sense of humour.
Allow approximately 10–30 minutes for the activity, not including boiling and cooling the eggs.
Make It Your Own
Bring back the grandmother’s egg competition by tapping two hard-boiled eggs together and seeing which shell cracks first. You could hold a friendly family tournament, decorate the eggs beforehand, or give the winning egg a special name.
For those who don’t want an egg tapped against their forehead, cracking it against another egg or a plate keeps them included in the fun.
However your family plays, keep the taps gentle and let everyone decide how they’d like to participate.
How It’s Done
Hard-boil eggs and let them cool. When everyone is ready to eat, crack an egg gently against a willing family member’s forehead before peeling and enjoying it.
In the family who shared this tradition, the tap is often unexpected. If you’re trying it with a new group, explain the game first so everyone can decide whether they want to join in.
After the laughter, peel the eggs and enjoy them together. Eat them as they are, slice them onto toast, or make egg salad sandwiches for an Easter lunch. The eggs become part of the meal, keeping the tradition playful while making good use of the food.