White House Easter Egg Roll event information and history

Children participate in the traditional egg roll at the 2013 event.

NPS/E. Yoder

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a popular event hosted by the White House. The South Lawn of the White House is filled with exciting activities for the whole family, including storytime, games, live entertainment, and the traditional Easter Egg Roll.

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History of the Egg Roll
In the 1870s, Capitol Hill had become a popular spot for children to roll eggs - and themselves - down the hill on Easter Monday. As the event grew more popular, the toll on the grounds was noticeable. In 1876, Congress passed a law forbidding the Capitol grounds to be used as a children's playground. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes issued an order that if any children should come to the White House to roll their Easter eggs, they would be allowed to do so. The tradition has been carried on since, and has grown into the major event you can experience today. For more information on past White House Easter Egg Roll events, visit the White House Historical Association's website.