Easter Egg Roll

134 Years of Fun

On Monday April 9, 2012, the First Family will host the 134^th annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This year's theme is “Let's Go, Let's Play, Let's Move” and more than 35,000 people will be joining us on the South Lawn for games, stories, and, of course, the traditional egg roll on the Lawn.

In addition to all the fun and games, the day's activities -- which will include sports courts and cooking demonstrations -- will help educate families on smart ways to incorporate healthy eating and exercise choices into their daily routines, which are key pillars of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative. Ticket holders are encouraged to read the security information and the list of prohibited material before their arrival.

A Look Back at the White House Easter Egg Roll

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All dressed up for the Easter Egg Roll in 1898. President Rutherford B. Hayes started the tradition in 1878

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A view of the White House South Lawn during the Easter Egg Roll of 1901.

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Crowds fill the South grounds for the 1903 Easter Egg Roll.

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Children dance around the maypole at an Easter Egg Roll in the 1920s. The event was cancelled from 1917-1920, during WW1

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Annie E. McMichael Gamble and Carrie A. McMichael Davis at the Easter Egg Roll in 1920.

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Children share a drink at the Easter Egg Roll in 1922.

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Warren Sonnemann holds the prize basket during the 1923 event.

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Families gather on the South grounds for 1923 Easter Egg Roll.

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A young girl feeds candy to a stuffed rabbit in 1929.

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First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt joins the festivities in 1939. The Egg Roll was cancelled in 1943-45 during WW 2 for rationing.

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President Eisenhower brought back the tradition in 1953 following extensive renovations to the White House; in 1956, 6,000 people attended.

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Energetic children play during the 1963 Easter Egg Roll.

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Children pushing their eggs down the South Lawn during the 1966 Easter Egg Roll.

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Some young girls are all dressed up for the Easter Egg Roll in 1967.

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Guests enjoy the beautiful weather at the 1982 Easter Egg Roll. The Reagans introduced the now-signature wooden eggs the year before

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Bundled up children roll their eggs enjoy the festivities in 1994.

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In 2002, a child rolls an Easter egg down the White House South Lawn.

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The Obamas Host the White House Easter Egg Roll

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The First Family, joined by the Easter Bunny, wave to the crowd from the South Portico of the White House, April 13, 2009.

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Eggs for the 2011 Easter Egg Roll photographed on the South Lawn, March 24, 2011. (All Photos are Official White House Photos)

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President Barack Obama cheers on kids taking part in the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn April 25, 2011.

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First Lady Michelle Obama lifts a baby while greeting the crowd at the annual Easter Egg Roll, April 25, 2011.

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The First Family waves to the crowd from the South Portico of the White House before participating in the South Lawn activities, April 25, 2011.

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President Barack Obama helps encourage a little girl at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 5, 2010.

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President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Sasha and Malia, finish reading Dr. Seuss' 'Green Eggs and Ham', April 25, 2011.

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The First Family greets the Easter Bunny (Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller) in the Green Room, April 25, 2011.

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Children, including Atlas Anderson Durand, center, participate in activities at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn, April 5, 2010.

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People attending the annual Easter Egg Roll walk along the South Lawn of the White House, April 5, 2010.

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A young girl gets ready to roll her egg at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House, April 5, 2010.

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First Lady Michelle Obama and daughter Malia watch as the cast of the TV show "Glee" performs at the annual Easter Egg Roll, April 5, 2010.

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People attending the annual Easter Egg Roll walk along the South Lawn of the White House, April 5, 2010.

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A boy shows his jump shot to President Barack Obama on the White House basketball court at the annual Easter Egg Roll, April 5, 2010.

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President Barack Obama cheers on a young child as she rolls her egg toward the finish line during the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 13, 2009.

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President Barack Obama uses Rabbit Ears as a microphone while technicians try to fix the microphones on stage, April 13, 2009.

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The First Family prepares to read a story to children at the White House Easter Egg Roll, April 13, 2009.

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President Barack Obama is joined by his daughters Sasha and Malia to help start things off at the White House Easter Egg Roll, Monday, April 13, 2009.

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