TAMPA BAY, FL — According to historians, the origin of Easter eggs dates back to early Christians in Mesopotamia who began the tradition of dying eggs bright colors after Easter to mark the end of Lent.

During Lent, when Christians fasted to mark Jesus' time in the wilderness, eggs were one of the foods that Christians weren't allowed to eat. So, when Easter Sunday came around signaling the end of Lent, eating an egg was a treat.

The practice was adopted by the Orthodox churches and later spread to Western Europe. Two thousand years later, Christians continue the practice of dying eggs, which not only symbolize new life and rebirth but also represent the end of the Christian fasting period.

There are a variety of events taking place this weekend in which kids can carry on the tradition with a hunt for their own Easter eggs.

Families are invited to The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, all weekend for family-friendly activities in honor of the folkloric egg-laying Easter Bunny.

Themed activities include Tango & Rocky's Eggcellent Underwater Adventure, a digital scavenger hunt. Use your mobile device, download the Actionbound app, scan the scavenger hunt QR code and start hunting. All eligible scavenger hunt finishers will be entered to win a Golden Egg gift package. See official rules and enter here.

There will be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny April 15 to 17 from 10 to 10:45 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1:15 to 2 p.m. and 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. in the Mosaic Center.

And, finally, families can watch scuba bunny divers in the Coral Reef Habitat at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. April 15 to 17 and visit other egg-laying animals at the aquarium including the African penguin, the fulvous whistling duck, the American alligator and the giant Pacific octopus.

The Tampa Downtown Partnership will host Tampa's Downtown Eggsploration, a family-friendly egg hunt at Julian B. Lane Park on Saturday, April 16.

Downtown's largest egg hunt will start at 9 a.m., as the partnership distributes nearly 40,000 plastic eggs in the park. Children and adults of all ages are encouraged to participate, and each age group will be given a specific combination of eggs to find and redeem to win a prize.

While supplies last, children's prizes range from a small stuffed toy or gift certificate for free soft-serve ice cream from IKEA, as well as other spring-themed gifts. Participants 18 years old and over are eligible for a grand prize downtown staycation.

All participants are encouraged to bring their own basket or take advantage of a bag decorating station (while supplies last).

The egg hunt will be broken up into two time frames: 9 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m., and will pause from 11:30 a.m. to noon for restocking.

"We are so excited to start a new tradition with the largest egg hunt for all ages in downtown Tampa," said Tampa Downtown Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. "The beautiful Julian B. Lane Park is the perfect backdrop to bring families out for a day of fun."

The celebration runs until 2 p.m. and includes an Easter bunny photo opportunity, food trucks including BBQ Time, CJ Traveling Pizzeria, Breezy Eazy Bistro and Wrigleyville Dogs, and family-friendly activities. To learn more, click here.

Celebration Church, 16235 Lake Magdalene Blvd., Tampa, will host a free Eggstravaganza Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with inflatables, an escape room game, 1,000 eggs to hunt, visits with the Easter Bunny and raffles.

Raprager Family Farms, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa, will host Easter activities Friday through Sunday, April 15-17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be three Easter egg hunts each day with separate hunts for children under 15 months, 15 months to 2 years old, 2 to 3 years old, 4 to 5 years old, 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old.

More than 50,000 eggs will be available for kids to find. Families must preregister and arrive at the pre-designated egg hunt line 15 minutes before the event. Click here.

Additionally, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. Bring your own phones and cameras and take photos of the kids in their Easter outfits. Bring a change of play clothes for other activities on the farm.

Raprager Family Farms will also have two giant Flemish rabbits available to pet, baby chicks, ducks and bunnies to hold, a petting zoo, pony rides, a wagon ride, a giant bounce pillow, a 40-foot hay chute slide, a corn pit to play in and other activities.

The farm will offer a breakfast by The Wholesome Hen from 8 to 11 a.m. and lunch and dinner from The Wholesome Hen and Pam's Pizza Conez from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation will host a Happy Hunting Egg Hunt Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northdale Park and Recreation Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa.

There will be egg hunting, an Easter basket raffle and an Easter bunny photo booth.

Munchkin Town, the indoor playground for ages newborn to 6 years old at 14100 U.S. 19, Suite 130, Clearwater, will host an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with two sessions available: 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

During the egg hunts, children will have the opportunity to collect between 10 and 20 eggs each. Once each child has collected his or her eggs, they can participate in a variety of Easter-themed activities and crafts, enjoy snacks and have their pictures taken.

The cost is $15 per child and $5 per adult. Click here.

Armature Works, 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa, will host a Hop on the Lawn Easter event Sunday, April 17 starting at 11 a.m.

Grab your Easter basket and hop on over to Armature Works' West Lawn for visits with the Easter Bunny, an interactive DJ dance party, crafts and an Easter egg hunt for those who have preregistered.

Egg hunt participants who find a gold egg will receive a special prize from Heights Public Market vendor, Astro Craft Ice Cream.

Enjoy an afternoon at the inaugural Easter egg hunt at the St. Pete Pier's Family Park, 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, Sunday, April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Search for more than 5,000 colorful eggs hidden throughout Family Park. Among the hidden eggs lie 12 golden eggs filled with different prizes including a $100 gift card to Astro Craft Ice Cream, a free membership to the St. Pete Museum of History Family, a gift basket courtesy of Doc Ford's and goodies from Teak.

Furthermore, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center will hide 12 eco-friendly paper eggs filled with unique prizes.

Families can enjoy meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with the Easter bunny. There will be vendors including Hyppo Gourmet Popsicles and Glitters & Giggles with face painting and balloon art.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own baskets or bags. Specially marked bins will be available throughout Family Park for visitors to dispose of the unwanted "egg shells," which will be reused and recycled.

This free event is open to kids ages 10 and under. The egg hunt will begin promptly at 1 p.m.

The Suncoast Primate Sanctuary, 4600 Alternate U.S. 19, Palm Harbor, will host an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. for kids age 12 and younger.

The cost is $10 for ages 3 to 10, $15 for those over age 10 and free for kids 2 and younger. Click here.

Children can climb aboard an Easter-themed train for a ride to egg hunt fields in search of golden eggs and a visit with the Easter Bunny and Mother Goose Friday through Sunday, April 15 to 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand Concourse Railroad, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road, Shady Hills.

Trains to Easter egg hunts will leave the station every hour.

There will be food and other vendors on hand as well. The cost is $6 per person with children under 12 months old admitted for free. Click here.

REConnections Education Center will host a glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt and Easter dinner at Safety Town, 15362 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills Saturday, April 16 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

There will be games, food, wine, prizes, raffles and other activities with proceeds going to nonprofit groups in Pasco County.

The cost is $18 for adults and $7 for children age 13 and under. Click here for tickets.

Hop on over to ZooTampa at Lowry Park for the Kinder Joy Scavenger Hunt Friday, April 15, to Sunday, April 17.

Stop by Guest Services and pick up a hint sheet, then go on an adventure looking for 12 eggs hidden near the animal habitats. The scavenger hunt is included with zoo admission.

DK Farms and Nursery, 1750 Lake Ave. SE, Largo, will host Easter egg hunts and other activities April 15-17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There will be egg hunts for three different age groups at three different times and locations. In addition, there will be an Easter Bunny meet-and-greet, outdoor games, pony rides, a bounce house, putt-putt golf, a corn pit and an animal feeding area. The cost is $13 or $10 for kids who don't participate in the egg hunt.

Party Like Royalty will host an Easter egg hunt Sunday, April 17 from noon to 3 p.m. at Spanish-American War Memorial Park, 4752 W. Prescott St., Tampa. There will also be games, a bounce house and an Easter Bunny meet-and-greet. The cost is $10 per child. Click here.

Children age 2 through eighth grade can participate in a giant obstacle course, hunt for eggs, bounce at a bounce house and enjoy ice cones, cotton candy and nachos at Calvary Chapel of New Port Richey, 6825 Trouble Creek Road, New Port Richey, Sunday, April 17 from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Call 727-376-7733.

Gulf Railroad at Crews Lake Park in Spring Hill will host Easter mini train rides around the park with Easter egg hunts, Easter bunny photos and arts and crafts. Tickets are $8 per person. Click here.

Winter's Beach Club in Clearwater Beach, 655 S Gulfview Blvd., is having an Easter egg hunt in the sand on Friday, April 15 from 9 to 11 a.m.

There will also be photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, as well as a bagged breakfast. It's $10 for visitors and free for Beach Club guests.

Busch Gardens is holding its first Easter egg hunts on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.

The park will have egg hunts for kids 8 and under and ages 9 to 12 at the Festival Field.

There will also be a golden egg hunt both days, where 40 golden eggs will be hidden throughout the park in areas accessible to guests. Once found, the egg should be taken to guest services so the special prize can be claimed. Only one golden egg redemption per person is valid.

Additionally, there will be Easter story time at Sesame Street Safari of Fun read by characters twice daily at the Sunny Day Theater at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Special animal enrichments can be seen throughout the weekend in the park's various habitats as well.

St. Pete Beach Community Center, 7701 Boca Ciega Drive, St. Pete Beach, will host an underwater egg hunt at the community pool Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or the day of the event and are $5 per child.

Wellswood Baptist Church, 5101 N Rome Ave., Tampa, will host an Easter festival Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an inflatable obstacle course, raffle for jumbo Easter baskets, face painting, a balloon artist, arts and crafts, story time, games, concessions and Easter egg hunts with thousands of eggs. A hunt for children 2 and under will take place at 11:15 a.m., kids age 3 to 5 at 11:45 a.m. and kids age 6 to 10 at 12:15 p.m.

Caddy's Treasure Island, 9000 W Gulf Blvd., invites kids to bring their baskets and participate in a free Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 16, from 8 to 9 a.m.

Caddy's will be serving breakfast, featuring $20 bottomless mimosas from 8 to 11 a.m.

Bible Baptist Church, 280 Riviere Road, Palm Harbor, will host a free community Easter festival Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring egg hunts, inflatables, giveaways and games.

North Tampa Church of Christ, 3611 E County Line Road, Lutz, will host a free Easter family fun day Saturday, April 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. including an Easter basket walk, free pictures with the Easter Bunny, snow cones, popcorn, an inflatable slide and relays.

Publix GreenWise Market at The Preserve Marketplace shopping center, 2175 Sembler Drive, Odessa, will host an Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 16, from 7 to 8 a.m.

The Well, 550 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs, will host an Easter egg hunt Sunday, April 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. It will include a petting zoo, photo opportunities and a light snack.

Gulfport Recreation Center, 5730 Shore Blvd. S, will host a Fun in the Sun Day with an egg hunt for children age 8 and younger, children's activities, music, food, a visit from Peter Cottontail and basket raffles, Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Children will also have an opportunity to explore police cars, boats, fire trucks, ambulances and garbage trucks.

Remember to bring basket. The egg hunt begins at 10 a.m.

Children can hunt for eggs hidden in the lap pool, splash pad and training pool at the Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd., Clearwater, Saturday, April 16 from 1:30 to 5 p.m.

There will also be games, live music, inflatables and a visit from the Easter Bunny.

Beta Sigma Phi will host a free Easter egg hunt Saturday, April 16, at 9 a.m. at England Brothers Park, 5010 Dave McKay Way, Pinellas Park.

Children will be divided into age-appropriate groups to search for eggs.

Check back at Patch for more activities.