• Celebrate Easter weekend in new ways by traveling and getting creative.easter image by Vasyl Dudenko from Fotolia.com
  
  Easter weekend celebrations can involve more than the yearly ham dinner and egg coloring. Easter ushers in the springtime, so combining brunch at a hotel with an afternoon game of golf or walk in the park is one way to take advantage of the long weekend. Families tired of the same old solo dinner at home can join in with friends to turn the neighborhood into an Easter holiday party zone.
  
  

Easter Block Party

• Celebrate Easter with other families on the block. Gather Moms and kids to color Easter eggs, bake cupcakes and create homemade decorations on Saturday. Throw an outdoor party (weather permitting) on Sunday with an Easter egg hunt, a raffle, and games for the kids. In "egg bowling," kids can roll colored Easter eggs toward a center egg, and the participant who rolls their egg the closest wins. Adults and kids can strut their stuff in a "Hat Parade," wearing colorful Easter bonnets. Sample neighbors' holiday specialties at a potluck dinner to give your taste buds a treat.
  
  

Sleepover

• Invite your children's friends over for an Easter weekend sleepover. Kids will enjoy searching for Easter eggs, baskets and candies with their friends. Make bunny ears for children to wear with pajamas, using felt, cardboard or construction paper. Pass out Easter stuffed animals (lambs, ducks or bunnies) to keep kids company while they sleep.
  
  

Family Hotel Packages

• The long Easter weekend gives families a chance to get away from home and enjoy the holiday in a resort or theme park hotel. Hershey Theme Park in Pennsylvania has a special Easter weekend package that includes admission to the park and Easter brunch. Hotels and resorts in your area may offer Easter family getaways that provide goodies and activities for kids and special room rates. Plan your own trip to a nearby resort or family-oriented hotel, but reserve early since rooms tend to fill up fast on holidays.
  
  

Romantic Easter Getaways

• Couples can take advantage of the three-day Easter weekend by booking a room at a resort or luxury hotel. Pennsylvania's Poconos resorts offer secluded getaways, complete with in-room whirlpools. For people who prefer to celebrate close to home, reserve a room at a local hotel. Many hotels have special buffets or brunches in their dining rooms on Easter Sunday.